- Joined
- May 27, 2001
For the last year or so, Shane and I have been working on a new controller for alcohol systems, the ISAC (Injection Systems Alcohol Controller). Going in, we decided we really weren't interested in doing a complete kit (Although this may change if we spring for a new pump design) but instead wanted to concentrate on a controller that could be used with the majority of the systems on the market. We mostly managed to keep the controller under wraps, with only a few people knowing anything about it outside of those involved in the development. We're very close to testing status so we decided now would be as good a time as any to introduce the controller to the Turbo Buick (and visiting) world. I had intended to show the unit off at Richard Clark's get together and carried the unit around with me all day along with my laptop but the opportunity just never arose to show it off.
Here is the hardware.
Front
Back
Sorry for the less than optimum photos.. Ill replace them tomorrow when I get to work and have access to my camera cable.
Here is a feature list of the controller.
2 pump compatible outputs. Run staged pumps, dual pumps (both pumps run
at the same time), or use one output for a window switch.
2 relay/solenoid compatible outputs. For boost control, with single or
dual solenoids, internal or external gate, dual boost setpoints. If using
a single solenoid, the second output can be used as a window switch, shift
light, etc. Boost control is configurable for wastegate pressure feedback
or can use the MAP sensor.
Shift / gear input to change boost target for launching or gearchange.
Adjustable boost ramp time.
USB communication, upload/download settings, logging of the system. USB
communication uses native Windows USB communication mode, no driver
installation required. The software is also a self contained EXE. Nothing to install and can be run from a USB thumbdrive.
Low alky tank level indicator,
Pump pressure indicator.
Internal 4 bar MAP sensor, can connect an external MAP or pressure sensor.
TPS and RPM thresholds along with pressure. Prevents draining the alky
tank if there is a pressure sensor problem.
Configurable user adjustment knob, can be set as a boost adjustment, alky
flow adjustment, or target AFR adjustment.
Closed loop AFR control of alky injection using wideband feedback.
Unit also has a built in data logger for reviewing data after runs.
Here are some shots of the software, which as you can see is still in pre-beta stage. At this point, the controller is hardware complete, the software is just being polished up and some features added.
Our original plan was to have the unit calibrate very similar to a FAST or BS3, whereas you controlled the flow by a 2D table, boost vs RPM. After thinking it over, we decided that might be overly complicated for an alcohol controller and instead opted for a calculated curve that you could tweak with sliders.
The hardware is, of course, field updateable via flashing through the USB port so features can be added and bugs corrected after the unit ships. It would be nice to think the units would ship bug free but it's like everything else.. someone will always find some sort of obscure bug. We planned ahead for that with field flashability.
We should begin field testing the unit within 2 weeks or so. Ive talked to a couple of people about testing the controller on various kits. If everything goes according to plans and the hardware performs to our expectations, we will most likely move to a small production run shortly thereafter.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask away.
Here is the hardware.
Front
Back
Sorry for the less than optimum photos.. Ill replace them tomorrow when I get to work and have access to my camera cable.
Here is a feature list of the controller.
2 pump compatible outputs. Run staged pumps, dual pumps (both pumps run
at the same time), or use one output for a window switch.
2 relay/solenoid compatible outputs. For boost control, with single or
dual solenoids, internal or external gate, dual boost setpoints. If using
a single solenoid, the second output can be used as a window switch, shift
light, etc. Boost control is configurable for wastegate pressure feedback
or can use the MAP sensor.
Shift / gear input to change boost target for launching or gearchange.
Adjustable boost ramp time.
USB communication, upload/download settings, logging of the system. USB
communication uses native Windows USB communication mode, no driver
installation required. The software is also a self contained EXE. Nothing to install and can be run from a USB thumbdrive.
Low alky tank level indicator,
Pump pressure indicator.
Internal 4 bar MAP sensor, can connect an external MAP or pressure sensor.
TPS and RPM thresholds along with pressure. Prevents draining the alky
tank if there is a pressure sensor problem.
Configurable user adjustment knob, can be set as a boost adjustment, alky
flow adjustment, or target AFR adjustment.
Closed loop AFR control of alky injection using wideband feedback.
Unit also has a built in data logger for reviewing data after runs.
Here are some shots of the software, which as you can see is still in pre-beta stage. At this point, the controller is hardware complete, the software is just being polished up and some features added.
Our original plan was to have the unit calibrate very similar to a FAST or BS3, whereas you controlled the flow by a 2D table, boost vs RPM. After thinking it over, we decided that might be overly complicated for an alcohol controller and instead opted for a calculated curve that you could tweak with sliders.
The hardware is, of course, field updateable via flashing through the USB port so features can be added and bugs corrected after the unit ships. It would be nice to think the units would ship bug free but it's like everything else.. someone will always find some sort of obscure bug. We planned ahead for that with field flashability.
We should begin field testing the unit within 2 weeks or so. Ive talked to a couple of people about testing the controller on various kits. If everything goes according to plans and the hardware performs to our expectations, we will most likely move to a small production run shortly thereafter.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask away.
