DeltaDash may be used standalone without any cables or hardware connected. In this mode, the software can read previously recorded log files and will also emulate a connection to an ECU, allowing you to practise using the software without access to a car. Obviously, in order to communicate with a real car, you must correctly connect your PC to the car, and this is what this section describes.
In order that the software runs fully featured, the license key must be plugged into the parallel port of your PC. The license key is small and light blue in appearance. Plug the end labelled 'Computer -> ->' into the PC. Make sure that you do not plug the device in backwards into a 25 pin serial port on your PC - this may damage your license key.
The laptop must now be plugged into the diagnostic port of the car. The car diagnostic socket is located at the base of the dash assembly, between the pedals and the steering wheel. Note the orientation of the socket, since the connector will only fit in one way. Plug the black ECU interface into the diagnostic socket, and join this interface to your PC's first serial port using the 9 way 'D' cable supplied. In the unlikely event that your PC has a 25 way (rather than 9 way) serial port, you will need to use a 9 -> 25 way serial adapter.
Turn on the ignition switch of the car fully, so that the electrical systems are powered. You are now ready to use DeltaDash with the car.
To run DeltaDash, simply double click on the icon for the application. Depending on which options you chose during installation, the icons will be on the desktop and/or the start menu.
When the software is connected to a live ECU, the name of the ECU will be displayed on the statusbar. If the statusbar says the software is in demo mode, then the license key is not present, or the software is not correctly installed. You can revert to demo mode at any time by clicking on 'Demo Mode' in the 'Options' menu.
You can view and record live data by selecting 'Live ECU Data Capture' from the 'Tools' menu. The displayed window contains several tabs to maximise use of screen space.
From this tab, you can select any number of analogue parameters to retrieve from the connected ECU. Current, minimum and maximum values for each parameter are displayed. In demo mode, these values are randomly generated.
From this tab, you can select any number of digital parameters to retrieve from the connected ECU. Digital parameters are retrieved from the ECU in blocks of up to eight at a time. This means that ticking a single digital parameter may result in more than one parameter being retrieved. However, only the parameters that you have ticked will actually be logged to file if requested. In demo mode, these digital values are randomly generated.
This allows the display of up to four graphs from data currently being retrieved from the ECU. To choose the parameter displayed on a graph, right click on the graph and select the parameter from the popup menu. If the parameter you wish to graph is greyed out, this means that it has not been selected to be retrieved from the ECU. Go back to the 'Analogue Data' tab and tick the parameter you need.
As you use the graphing features, you will see that the both axes of the graphs are self scaling to make best use of the available screen space. On the right of the graphs are displayed minimum, current and maximum values for each parameter. These min/max values may be cleared at any time using 'Clear Min/Max values' button.
The 'Clear Graphs' button will clear all graphs and reset the scaling on the graphs. This will not reset the min/max values.
The 'Pause Graphing' button pauses the graphing, whilst letting data capture continue. In this mode each graph can be zoomed in using shift+click and dragging the mouse over the range of interest. On slow PCs, this option may also be used to slightly increase data capture rates - without the overhead of drawing the graphs, some PCs will capture data faster.
When capturing data from an ECU, there are several options that may be selected. These are accessed from the 'Data Capture Options' tab.
The directory in which log files are recorded may be chosen if you want to organise your log files.
The capture rate may be chosen to suit the type of logging required. The selected data capture rate is displayed at all times on the left hand side of the statusbar. The more frequently data is captured, the more disk space will be required for any log files that are recorded. Having selected the data required for display and the data required for logging, go to the "Data Capture Options" tab and select the required capture rate. If you are logging a track session of 30 minutes then a slow capture rate is probably most suitable. However if you are dyno testing, trying to find a hesitancy or other problem, each test may only take 30 seconds, so log as often as possible. Remember also that the more channels logged the slower the capture rate.
If you encounter any problems when capturing at high rates, reduce the capture rate until data capture works reliably. This generally only occurs on particularly slow laptops when capturing at very high speeds.
The logging features of DeltaDash have been made as straightforward as possible. Simply clicking on the 'Log Data' button will begin logging data. Then clicking on the 'Stop Logging' button will end the logging session. Each log file is automatically named, based on the date, time and ECU to which DeltaDash is connected.
Remember, only analogue and digital parameters that have been ticked will be recorded. This allows the highest possible capture rates and minimises the load on the PC too.
At any time during logging, comments may be recorded under the 'Log File Comments' tab. By default, only a description of the ECU that is connected will be recorded. You are free to add any other comments you will find useful.
Each log is actually saved as two separate files a txt (text file) and a csv (comma separated variable) file. Because of the standard formatting of these files, they may easily be imported into other applications such as spreadsheets and word processors. The text file contains any comments noted during logging, whilst the CSV file contains the logged data. The data file name and location is shown on the statusbar.
At any time, the last log file may be opened by clicking on the 'Open Last Log' button. This takes you directly to the 'Log Viewer' where further analysis of both analogue and digital data can be performed.
Previously recorded log files may be opened by selecting 'Open Log File...' from the file menu. The selected file is opened in a 'Log Viewer' window, allowing analysis and interpretation of logged data. Several log files may be open simultaneously if required.
The Log Viewer allows more detailed analysis of previously logged data.
This displays current and historically saved fault codes, enabling accurate fault diagnosis. Note that if 'piggy back' ECUs or signal modifiers are fitted, it is quite possible that these devices will generate repeated fault codes.
Historic trouble codes may be cleared using the ECU reset function.
This window allows the idle speed of the car to be adjusted. Any changes made here are cleared when the ECU is reset.
This feature allows clearing of the ECU's memory. Be careful with this if you have been logging data your ECU and have recorded knock correction activity. The ECU "learns" knock and looks to retard the timing in areas where it has come to expect knock. Resetting the ECU will erase the memory and have the effect of advancing the timing.
Different cars can report different analogue and digital parameters, as well as varying amounts of trouble code information. When plugging DeltaDash into a different car, click on 'Connect to another car' to ensure that these differences are registered.
License updates may be applied from the options menu. Updates are generally to add additional features to the product, and will be emailed to you on request.
The Help menu gives access to information about DeltaDash:
The About box displays the version of DeltaDash that you have installed on your PC.
The 'Feature and License Information' window shows the list of ECUs supported by the installed version of DeltaDash, and also the ECUs for which your copy is licensed. It also shows information on the registered user of the product. If there are further vehicles for which you require support then please email us for further updates.
DeltaDash is being continually updated and improved. You can download the latest version at any time free of charge, to take advantage of any added features or bug fixes.
As we test make DeltaDash compatible with more vehicles, new software versions will be released. If you have an 'all cars' license, then you will be entitled to all cars added within one year from the date of purchase of DeltaDash. After this period, annual support updates are available.
As you can see, this software has undergone an enormous amount of testing and development. However, like in any software product, it is possible that bugs still exist. Before contacting ECUTEK, please check the FAQs on the site to see if the problem you have has been seen before. If you do discover a new problem please e-mail us with as much information as possible so we can fix it as quickly as possible.
User support for DeltaDash extends to the correction of bugs only. ECUTEK do not provide tuning advice or help with engine fault diagnosis for cars, other than what is provided on the web site. If you require technical help with you car, consult one of the Internet bulletin boards or a professional car engineer. Think of it like this: When you bought your car, you didn't expect the dealer to give you driving lessons - the same goes for ECUTEK.
We hope you enjoy using the DeltaDash software and learn a lot about your car(s). It is an immensely powerful tool and the more you use it the more you will learn.
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