Electrical tape shouldn't do much, it's all about vibrations. Is that aligator clip in the first post where the mic is? Once the mic itself is placed against something solid, it shouldn't pick up any other noise. If it does, such as a pickup 100 yards away, the vibrations are coming through the block. You may even be hearing the pickup engine-wheels-ground-100 yards-wheels-engine. I used to play around with a simple tuning mic hooked up to my bassoon. With distortion on it sounded exactly like an electric guitar. The more we messed with it the more we were wowed by what a simple mic could do.

 

is it to late to get on the list? I want one of those spy-devices.... err, I mean det-cans!
Can you PM me the list? Along with your paypal info?

 

it only works as a spy device with your motor off....

 

yo, all you fools who have your Det-Cans, you need to leave Jeff some feedback for all his hard work!

Thanks a million!

 

Got mine yesterday.

 

We have dipshit!

 

want a cookie...?

 

U want a mushy cookie?

 

It was raining here this afternoon but still managed to play around with the DetCan on my brother's Expedition inside the garage. It's very sensitive and useful for more than just monitoring for knock. I don't think I'll ever use my old mechanic's stethoscope again (if I ever find the 'effin thing in my garage). We moved it pretty much all over the engine to check out the sounds of the injectors, cam chains, valves and bottom end.

If it clears up tomorrow, I'll clip it on the Miata and go out for a couple of third gear pulls.

Suggested enhancements:

1. As previously noted, an on/off switch would be great..and prevent damaging the battery terminal clip.

2. An optional bolt-on mic w/cord which would allow you to leave a mic semi-permanently installed in a drag/track car so that you can just connect the "box" up put in the headphones and go. (My brother has already called dibs on my unit for his first trip to the dragstrip this spring to help in fine tuning the timing on his Mustang GT)

 

I'm not too sure you actually need something more permanent than the clip....I've had mine on for about a week and have driven a couple hundred miles, fast, slow, over pot holes and speed bumps, through twisties and up hills.....and after all that the clip is still exactly where I left it I know what your saying though, and if there was one available I'd probably get it just because...

 

A bolt on makes a lot of sense on a V8 engine where it's a lot harder to get the mic into position past the K-member and headers. Bolt it in place and be done with it and you can still use the box and alligator clip on other cars.

 

Jeff

I got a random question about them. Do you have any clue about how long they will last on a single 9volt battery?

 

TBH I'm not really sure. From a quick google search it looks like the average lifespan of a 9v battery powering an lm386 is roughly ~4-5 hours. Could be more/less depending on gain and volume control.

 

Mine lasted 5 days worth of tuning...about 1.5hrs on time each day.

Then I left it on overnight. Came out to garage and LED was still lit, but not enough juice to get any output.

 

Hi Jeff, just wondering where on the paid list v/delivered list you are. You may have posted an update already. I only read the first & last pages.
Like I said, ''just wondering'.
Thanks, Luigi.

 

Jeff

I tried out your Det Cans yesterday on the dyno. Made Braineack bring his up and he did not even use them. They worked perfectly is all I can say. I had no detonation at 10psi and could easily hear everything else going on in my engine. Only feature that would have been nice was an on/off switch.

 

Will the 9V battery be just hanging from the box?

Will it be inside the enclosure, the 9V?




Knock detection tool

MKII Kit

 

9v battery hangs on the outside of the box.

 

The battery is outside the box for easy changing, and can be secured with the velcro straps that I provide.

#2 there looks interestingly familiar and I'm honestly surprised considering that I hadn't seen it before. I guess there aren't that many ways to build a detcan

 

I used bryces this past friday at the local meeting. Works great, where do I sign up for one?