Megasquirt talk (split from robokills project thread)

[NoHachi]

Okidoki..try and give some answers.:

KrizKH:you are spot on. The way I would set ignition timing for a roadcar would be to just use crappy gas and then tune it to just below the knock threshhold. In my experience, most engines produce peak power at those points anyway..This would be the one point where a bench could give better results..Without the bench I can get it 90% of the way though.

@Zax: U can use a method very similar to what you're doing, but then actually works. U need a knocksensor from another angine. These are piezzo crystal pickups that convert pressure to an electric current. Usually they are a thick round chunky thing with a hole in the middle. Attach the sensor (through the hole in the middle) to the engine using an available bolt. Now run the output of the sensor to a normal jack plug to a laptop..Use the laptop as an amplifier and plug in some headphones...(Offcourse any other amp would work..

@Denmark...I would be cautious of using electronically controlled knock sensors during the tuning fase..they can and often do go wrong..Certainly if you get knock in one of the cylinders furthest away from the pickup. A trained set of ears is still the best way. As a safetyfeature during normal operation, the link performs perfectly.