Not exactly an ECM question, but related… I was messing around with dataloging tonight in my formula and came to the conclusion that I've got a problem. In my truck I just plug the setup in, put the laptop on top of the console and it's in a nice position, doesn't move around, battery starts running low I plug it into the inverter, plug the headphone output in to the stereo and listen to some MP3's... How many G's can I pull with BIG knobby tires?

In the formula there is no place to put it that I can use it where it's sitting (you pretty much have to pick it up to mess with it), it's sliding around, and I'm fairly certain that the STIFF suspension and actually being able to accelerate/handle/brake isn't helping matters. I suppose that I could make a laptop holder of sorts, but I'm pretty sure that positively attaching it to the floor would probably make it more usable but I'm sure wouldn't do it any favors (that and I'm not really sure that there's a convenient location). Of course, I could make something articulating, with maybe a set of rock shox off of a mountain bike… but that's getting ridiculous.

So what are you guys doing?

Maybe next time I'll take and adjust the koni yellows full soft just to make me feel a little better

 

For one I wouldn't recomend using it while driving, It is a safety hazard, 2 it is probally aginst the law in some states like using cell phones. I am making a stand that will bolt to the Tranny tunnel on the passanger side that comes up to a tray so I can mount laptop. It will have several joints so it can be posistioned and moved even folded down when not in use

 

I place the laptop on the passenger seat facing the driver and use the seatbelt to hold it in place. Once the logging has started I fold the lid almost closed with a small cube of foam (2x2x2")keeping it from clicking shut.

With the seatbelt it doesn't go anywhere, and the location makes it easy to shut down and restart logging (such as after stopping for fuel). With nothing to see on the screen having it almost closed reduces the stress from bumps and such.

RBob.

 

duct tape !!!!

 

huh, the big thing that worries me about strapping it to the seat is that it puts a pretty good strain on the connectors (com and lpt ports are on the back… oh, did I mention that my programmer came today? ), and I'm afraid that eventually I'll damage the connectors on the back.

Need to think about this some more.

Another logistics question… for those of you that made your own cables, what are you doing for the ALDL connectors? I've been just pushing the wires into the appropriate pins, but that's getting old, fast. I tried _making_ an ALDL plug (MDF cut to the right shape, drilled for the pins), got the pin spacing… right, but I can't seem to find anything that works well, is rigid enough and easy to find for the pins (I'm using some 18ga brads and found that although they work they're a bit on the fat side to fit well into the plug).

 

Mark, what I did was splice into +12V ign, ground and aldl at the ECM (soldered and heat shrinked), and added a 4 pin Molex connector. This leaves the aldl connector free and clear of cables, and you can still remove your data cable easily. BW

 

Huh, yea, I've considered splicing into the wiring, but since I have multiple vehicles that I'm messing with that's not a great choice.

BTW, bob, what scan tool are you using?

 

Try some flat strips of brass sheet. Can be found at hobby shops and Sears Hardware stores. I think I used .030 thick stuff, and taper the end a little to help inserting into the connector.

Solder and heat shrink the wire onto the other end.

edit: this link has a picture(s) of the brass strip connectors:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=216309

RBob.

 

yeah, what Rbob said. I went one step further with the brass strips, and soldered them into another aldl connector out of a junk car, I just unlocked the pins and took em out of the connector body, pushed the brass strips into the pins, soldered them, then snapped them back into the body with a mirror image of the in-car connector. works great, very tough, and re-usable. and in the junkyard, its easy to grab a handful on them, and get charged like 2 bucks. I think I found the brass at a hobby store.

 

Freescan mostly, starting to use Tunerpro more..

Yeah for multiple cars, it might be a pain, since you'll need to add a pigtail to each one, but after doing that... its just plug and play. lol BW