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Virtual Dyno

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Old 07-27-2011, 04:39 PM
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Default Virtual Dyno

http://www.bradbarnhill.com/projects/VirtualDyno/

I came across this on another forum and it looked pretty interesting. Apparently they've created software that will allow you to convert a datalog into a dyno graph. It seems like this would be very helpful in tuning or giving feedback on a particular mod. It doesn't look like megasquirt is currently supported, but from what I've read it sounds like it could potentially be made to work. Has anyone played around with something like this before? Or know of software that works right out of the box?

Obviously there are going to be some limitations but it seems like all the data should be available in the log (time, acceleration, rpm) or able to be reasonably estimated (drag, weight, tire size, gearing). I could even see it being useful for aero tuning which would theoretically show up in the hp/tq of the "dyno".
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Old 07-27-2011, 05:34 PM
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MLV will calculate horsepower.
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Old 07-27-2011, 07:13 PM
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Lots of software/loggers can do the same. Even some air fuel ratio loggers!
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Old 07-28-2011, 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by y8s
MLV will calculate horsepower.
Guess I'll have to look into that, I never noticed the option.
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Old 07-28-2011, 10:16 PM
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From memory the LC1 software also had that option.
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Old 08-14-2011, 08:47 PM
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I have exchanged messages with the creator before while giving the software a go using some of my programs. He would need vehicle specific data for the MX-5 generations to get things going. Afterward, feedback with datalogs and VD plots versus actual dyno results will help with revised "accuracy" for future updates/releases.

This is my personal tuning sample with an EMU exported .txt/.csv file:


It is useful when fine-tuning for gains or MBT. In the meantime, I will probably use my G-Tech Pro RR with the Mazda
Attached Thumbnails Virtual Dyno-92a8a7cc.jpg  
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Old 12-29-2011, 10:46 AM
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It now claims to support "megasquirt3" but it doesn't seem to recognize any of my log files... and google doesn't seem to know anything about it. I tried renaming a msl file to csv and txt, no dice. I even tried converting all the tabs to commas and it still won't read the file.
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Old 12-29-2011, 10:59 AM
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were you SD logging?
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Old 12-29-2011, 11:05 AM
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Not specifically, but they look to be the same tab delimited format. (once you convert them)
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Old 12-29-2011, 11:06 AM
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yeah, okay. weird. I do like how it presents the data if you can get it to work.
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Old 12-29-2011, 11:11 AM
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Sent the guy an email, we'll see what he says... has to be something stupid right?
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Old 12-29-2011, 01:53 PM
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Quick update, if you delete the first line from an msl file it seems to be able to parse the files (I've been renaming them .txt so it finds the files)
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Old 12-29-2011, 01:55 PM
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oh yeah, the MS adds some info above the header row of the database file.
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Old 12-29-2011, 02:02 PM
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Some NA Miata aero data for using this app:

Cd = 0.38
Frontal Area = 1.711m^2 = 18.42ft^2
CdA = 0.65m^2 = 7.00ft^2
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Old 12-29-2011, 02:13 PM
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Neat... I just made this:

<?xml version="1.0" standalone="yes"?>
<CarDataset xmlns="http://tempuri.org/CarDataset.xsd">
<CarParameters>
<CarMake>Mazda</CarMake>
<CarModel>Miata</CarModel>
<CarSubModel>1.8</CarSubModel>
<StartYear>1994</StartYear>
<EndYear>1997</EndYear>
<Weight>2300</Weight>
<TransTypeManual>true</TransTypeManual>
<TransGear2>1.888</TransGear2>
<TransGear3>1.330</TransGear3>
<TransGear4>1.000</TransGear4>
<FinalGearRatio>4.100</FinalGearRatio>
<DragCoefficient>0.38</DragCoefficient>
<FrontalArea>18.42</FrontalArea>
<TireDiameter>23.68</TireDiameter>
</CarParameters>
</CarDataset>

call it miata_94.xml, create a 'Miata' directory under this directory

C:\Documents and Settings\(your account)\Application Data\Virtual Dyno\Cars\Mazda
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Old 12-29-2011, 02:22 PM
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Don't forget to include driver weight.
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Old 12-29-2011, 02:50 PM
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Just started messing around with this. It is working just fine with MS1 data in *.csv format (after deleting the first line, that is). Basically, it works off of column titles.

Hmmm . . . may have to go do some dedicated runs.
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Old 12-29-2011, 03:28 PM
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Here's my file for 89-93 Miatas. I bumped up the weight to account for AC/PS/Turbo + the steel hood that found its way onto my car sometime over the last 21 years. Tire diameter is for a 205/50R15.

<?xml version="1.0" standalone="yes"?>
<CarDataset xmlns="http://tempuri.org/CarDataset.xsd">
<CarParameters>
<CarMake>Mazda</CarMake>
<CarModel>Miata</CarModel>
<CarSubModel>1.6</CarSubModel>
<StartYear>1989</StartYear>
<EndYear>1993</EndYear>
<Weight>2250</Weight>
<TransTypeManual>true</TransTypeManual>
<TransGear1>3.163</TransGear1>
<TransGear2>1.888</TransGear2>
<TransGear3>1.333</TransGear3>
<TransGear4>1.000</TransGear4>
<TransGear5>0.814</TransGear5>
<FinalGearRatio>4.30</FinalGearRatio>
<DragCoefficient>0.38</DragCoefficient>
<FrontalArea>18.42</FrontalArea>
<TireDiameter>23.1</TireDiameter>
</CarParameters>
</CarDataset>
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Old 12-29-2011, 05:07 PM
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He's going to add my 1.8 and 1.6 miata definitions to the program for the next version. Does anyone know what the cd and frontal area of an NB is? I'll make up a 5sp and 6spd NB for him to add too.
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Old 12-29-2011, 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by hornetball
Some NA Miata aero data for using this app:

Cd = 0.38
Frontal Area = 1.711m^2 = 18.42ft^2
CdA = 0.65m^2 = 7.00ft^2
That with the barn door headlights up or down?
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