COP Ignition Development

It got miserably hot here. I found time to work on the ignition system user interface software, and also found a way to simplify the construction of the distributor timing sensor.

I found a reasonably priced MOPAR CAM sensor distributor on ebay. It was only $21.15 shipped. I tested it and it works fine. The plan is to double stack the cam and 8-tab timing sensor. This type of sensing means was in my original plan in the ECU capability. With the CAM sensing, the 8-tab shutter does not need modification, and it can be replaced with a 4-tab crank sensor for even more accurate timing control.

While first tests of the COP electronic advance revealed excellent performance when running, engine starting needs improvement. The CAM sensor provides information to sync the cylinder index once per revolution, and in a simpler way than decoding the windowed tab reference that occurs at the interval of two engine revolutions. It is a win-win, simpler to make sensor mechanism, simpler software, quicker starting capability.

The user interface under development is going to be graphical. The actual timing curves for RPM and Vacuum are visible, and the means to adjust is simple by selection plot values and bumping them up or down a fraction of a degree at a time. The changes are visible, and can be done in real time with no ill effects. The interface will also show RPM, vacuum, real-time ignition timing, engine status and other controls such as fuel pump status.

The application software is being developed with B4J by Any Where Software. It will run on Windows, Linux, and MAC systems with a USB port for connection to ECU. I have some of the individual parts working, but more work is required to combine parts an improve the visual presentation.

I still have by hands full with farm chores, and the A/C project, so development might be slow.