I'm trying to get data from WINALDL, but I get nothing. I disabled all the other ports on my laptop except COM1. The 4th pin on my DB9 output was only reading 6.2 V with WINALDL running, so I built the externally powered cable from JoBy's site. It was easy enought to build, but it isn't working. The cable is only about 4ft long. I was wondering if you guys could look at my cable and tell me if it looks like it's soldered together properly.

I know it's ugly, but does it look like it should be functioning?

 

Nevermind, I took off the 1.5 K resistor and it started logging data. Either that, or it miraculously fixed itself.

 

The 1.5k resistor is for CLCC (Closed Loop Carburetor Control) systems, not for fuel injection systems which used a 12 volt swing instead of a 5v swing in voltage.

 

.........

The soldering looks fine, but those components would really rather be mounted to a small PC board.

 

JYD - that's a good idea. I will just consider this Franken-cable to be a prototype or soldering practice. Based on your suggestion, I will build a more aesthetically pleasing version.

It works, though, and I got my first data logs this weekend. I logged data at a variety of different base timings to see where I start to knock significantly. I think that I can run 6*btdc on premium fuel. I would like to get into DIY-PROM, but I don't have the necessary equipment to burn chips.

 

Can I borrow that pic? I'll refer people to it when they ask how hard it is to build a cable. Pretty cool!

 

About that 1.5 K resistor...It's funny, I looked back at the schematic I used (from Jonas's site) and it says in big, bold, blue letters that the 1.5 K resistor is only for some carbed vehicles. In my haste to build the cable, I didn't read it carefully.

JYD - I constructed a more compact and robust cable using a perforated board. Is that what you meant by a PC board or did you mean an actual circuit board?

Craig - I'm really glad that you see some value in the picture. I enlarged everything on that first trial build so I could understand it. By all means, everyone is free to use it, reproduce it, publish it or whatever you want. I hope it helps someone.