Starting my M54B30 swap...

[Elysian]

26) Idle valves:
The MS3 card has support for a 4 wire stepper idle valve built-in, just requiring 5 jumpers on the mainboard.
When using the MS3X card in addition it is suggested that you install these jumper wires and use the standard 'FIDLE' components.
If using 2 wire PWM idle without the MS3X card, you will need to upgrade the 'FIDLE' circuit on the V3.0 board. Note, the PWM Idle Valve circuit upgrade can also be used to drive other solenoids such as boost control.
i)Stepper Idle Valve: If using a 4 wired idle valve (or using as two spare outputs) then solder wires from:
a) JS0 to IAC1A
b) JS1 to IAC1B
c) JS2 to IAC2A
d) JS3 to IAC2B
e) Solder components Q4, Q20, R39 and D8 in place. Note, this gives you a programmable output that can drive a relay e.g. cooling fan on FIdle (Pin 30 of the db37)

ii) PWM Idle Valve:
Note! This is not required with the MS3X card - use one of the mid-current outputs on the MS3X card for you idle valve and fit the standard components Q4, Q20, R39, D8.
2, 3 wired devices need a TIP122 (not supplied in kit) and mica insulation.
a) Cut the legs of the TIP122 so they are half the length they were as new.
b) Fit a piece of mica insulation under it and using plastic screws bolt it to the case or a space on the heatsink. Don't forget the mica.
c) Solder a wire from the centre pin of Q4 to the left side of the TIP122.
d) Solder a wire from the bottom pin of Q4 to the middle pin of the TIP122
e) Get an IN4001 (you should have a spare from D2) and solder the stripped end of it into s12, this is below the TIP122 on the main board.
Push it all the way in so the body sticks up in the air against the board.
f) Solder a wire from the non-banded side of the diode to the centre pin of the TIP122.
e) Solder a lead onto the copper wire that’s in position R43 to the right sided pin of the TIP122. (Ground for the TIP122 Idle driver)



iii) No Idle Valve:
a) Solder components Q4, Q20, R39 and D8 in place. Note, this gives you a programmable output that can drive a relay e.g. cooling fan relay on FIdle (Pin 30 of the db37)

This stuff, I'm pretty clueless here.

[Elysian]

http://www.msextra.com/doc/ms3/build_manual.html

These. Just loaded firmware 1.0.2 onto it, also tested it in TunerStudio MS.

Wasn't sure about this step:

21) R37 and R38 are 'sense' resistors for the current limiting circuits on the injector drivers. Normally these should be installed. If, however, you prefer to do without the current limiting and want to make two spaces on the heatsink bar, then you can instead link out R37 and R38 by soldering a copper wire between the 2 holes in each. Ensure the link is flat to the board as you may need a component on the heat sink later on in the build.

but I went ahead and installed R37 and R38 anyways. There was some other stuff I wasn't 100% on as well(with regards to my build), but I'll have to read those instructions again to figure out what it was.

[nando]

What build intructions did you use?

[Elysian]

It works, I've plugged it into the PC, it's detected right away. Just waiting on the MS3X expander board, USPS delivers kind of late here.

[Elysian]

Jimstim is built, MS motherboard is almost complete, just a few more components to attach then it's test time. I've got a lot of soldering experience but never on PCB's like this so it's had a little bit of a learning curve. My Hakko iron I usually use is great for guitar wiring but just doesn't cut it for small circuitry like this(and Frys doesn't carry any tips for it anymore) so I picked up a different model Hakko, worked out MUCH better. Hopefully will be able to complete testing tonight.

[Elysian]

It begins.

[Elysian]

well unless you're going to run a single coil and batched injection, you'll need it for 6 coil outputs, 6 injector outputs, 3 wire ICV mode, etc. etc. An MS3 without the MS3x is just a faster MS2 with an SD card built in. it's also far simpler to build with an MS3x since you don't really need many of the motherboard circuits. you just plug it in.

That sounds important. Supposed to have the order here tomorrow, I'll go ahead and order the MS3X board.

[Elysian]

whats your timeline? if it's tomorrow I can see your point, but it's not going to be alpha forever. Plus the VVT code is pretty well developed, they're really focusing on the serial code at the moment. If you're talking 6 months it'll be well stable enough to run on a daily driver (heck, it realistically should be now). And there are some major advantages to letting the ECU control it rather than an external box.

It's this month!

[hoveringuy]

Every year or so (like now) I read about what's new in Megasquirt and I think it's becoming pretty freakin' amazing. The old batch fire, wasted spark stuff was kind of cool as a DIY but didn't seem like a real alternative to "proper" ECUs.

Looking at the new MS3 code and hardware I would run that in a heartbeat!

[nando]

Yeah I read that it was in the alpha stages, I don't really know that I want to mess with something in such early development on a daily driver... This is what worries me:



This is a car I'm going to need to rely on(hell I already do), I'd rather not be a guinneau pig

whats your timeline? if it's tomorrow I can see your point, but it's not going to be alpha forever. Plus the VVT code is pretty well developed, they're really focusing on the serial code at the moment. If you're talking 6 months it'll be well stable enough to run on a daily driver (heck, it realistically should be now). And there are some major advantages to letting the ECU control it rather than an external box.

[nando]

From what I'm reading I'm not exactly sure why I'd need the MS3x? This is going to be a daily driven car with only minor mods(headers, intake and a tune), I'm mainly Megasquirting it to get my feet wet for the big build, which will be a turbo M30 E30. If there's something I'm missing I'm all ears, I've got the money to spend, I just don't want to if I don't have to on this project, you know?

well unless you're going to run a single coil and batched injection, you'll need it for 6 coil outputs, 6 injector outputs, 3 wire ICV mode, etc. etc. An MS3 without the MS3x is just a faster MS2 with an SD card built in. it's also far simpler to build with an MS3x since you don't really need many of the motherboard circuits. you just plug it in.

[Elysian]

It looks like it's still a little under development, but Megasquirt has come a long way with MS3!

See http://www.msextra.com/doc/ms3/vvt.html

Yeah I read that it was in the alpha stages, I don't really know that I want to mess with something in such early development on a daily driver... This is what worries me:

Presently VVT is under development and has only a few installs. Before commencing any work on VVT, please consult the MSEXTRA forum and review the 'MS3 development' subforum for VVT discussion.

This is a car I'm going to need to rely on(hell I already do), I'd rather not be a guinneau pig

[hoveringuy]

It looks like it's still a little under development, but Megasquirt has come a long way with MS3!

See http://www.msextra.com/doc/ms3/vvt.html

[Elysian]

I don't know why you'd build an MS3 without the MS3x?

From what I'm reading I'm not exactly sure why I'd need the MS3x? This is going to be a daily driven car with only minor mods(headers, intake and a tune), I'm mainly Megasquirting it to get my feet wet for the big build, which will be a turbo M30 E30. If there's something I'm missing I'm all ears, I've got the money to spend, I just don't want to if I don't have to on this project, you know?

[nando]

I would see if MS3 can specifically support 1 solenoid/cam implementations.

Also, does MS3 support S54 cam wheels yet???

it can easily do the M54. Simply set the cam input to "poll level". Setup your VANOS control (PID settings, PWM frequency). tune the intake and exhaust cam angle maps. done. :)

I'm trying to get S54 support added. it's hard since I don't actually have a motor to play with. :p