wideband controller
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi guys,

I'm looking at lamda controllers to monitor wideband signals through the ECU. I dont need a gauge, sensor or any of the other stuff people try to bundle along with them. Also find it strange that not many UK companies seem to do this kind of thing.

The below seems to be the most cost effective option but im unclear if this is all i would need to enable the ECU and laptop to capture the wideband signal.

http://www.14point7.com/products/spartan-lambda-controller

Anyone know of any other alternative options that just do the basics?


Cheers,
Nick

That gives out a 0-5V signal, so as long as your ECU can log a 0-5V then you should be fine.

In the software you will have to scale it to display the 0.68-1.36 lambda that the 0-5V represents but I think thats it.

Plus you would need to wire it in yourself but that won't be hard.

Another option is to use this AEM wideband which logs quite a few different parameters as well as acting as a fail safe
http://www.aemelectronics.com/wideband-air...lsafe-gauge-84/

The spartan seems quite popular amongst the Megasquirt community (just search spartan on the MSExtra forums and you will find lots of positive recommendations).

I am in the process of changing over to 14point7 controllers (SLC OEM modules in my case) as the products seem very good but the only word of caution is that 3 years ago (when I originally intended to make the change) I had some very bad customer service and about 18 months ago someone else on here (I think it was Jimster) also suffered. They do appear to have been "one offs" though and, as I say, the Spartans do have a very good reputation on the MSExtra forums.

The only other company that I'm aware off that will sell their controller without the sensor, gauges etc, is TechEdge.
Also very good quality (I currently use their stuff) but their closest equivilant to the Spartan is quite a bit more expensive.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

Yes, its the Specialist Components Typhoon ECU, which accepts 0-5V signal.

Spartan seems significantly cheaper than anything else on the market, so i think i'll take a punt!

anyone know if this will be liable for duty charges etc and what that additional cost would be?

Edited by Rod S on 10th Apr, 2014.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

ok, thanks for that. So delivery time is pretty short then too?

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

so, Lambda controller arrived today and ive just discovered that the sensor i bought ages ago is an LSU 4.0 and the controller has a LSU4.2 plug....

Any know if these are inter changeable or not? Alternatively, can i get a lsu4.2plug from somewhere(not sure if scrappies will have these) and convert it that way? Is there any actual differences with the sensors or is it just the plug?

I will probably purchase a new lsu4.2 plug at a later date, but wanted to get this up and running by the weekend and want to avoid more waiting for postage etc

You can definitely by the plugs

Or just buy a new sensor

As to whether the sensor is compatible, best to email Toalan/14.7 and ask him.

4.2's are readily available in the UK for under £60 via egay etc.

But the 4.2 sensor is OEM fitment to thousands of VW group cars, so yes plugs may be available second hand.

Edited by stevieturbo on 22nd Apr, 2014.

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

Do NOT swap the plug.....

First point is the plugs on the 4.0, 4.2 and 4.9 series contain a lazer etched calibration resistor, etched to a value specific to the sensor they are attached to. Some controllers rely on this for accurate lambda readings. Others use "free air" calibration but I know that Alan much prefers the factory (lazer resistor) calibration so I'm not sure if the Spartan allows for free air calibration. Even if it does, it won't be as accurate as the factory calibration.

Secondly, some controllers work the three different series in a different way. Read up on the TechEdge site if you want a detailed description why/how (TechEdge give a lot more technical details than most).

Thirdly Alan's website says the spartan is for a 4.2 sensor. I'm sure that if it was compatible with the earlier ones, he would have said (and given that plug option).

But as Stevie says, you could allways ask him.

I'm only using 4.2s with my 14point7 SLC modules and I know they work.


EDIT - typos plus a bit added.

Edited by Rod S on 22nd Apr, 2014.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

@stevie - Yes, i've sent an email to Alan, but i thought i'd check on here too, while i wait for a response.

I've got an audi S3 as my daily, which looks like it has the same plug. do you know if these are truly wideband? i could perhaps use this to get me running for the wknd.

@rod- i've just been reading the techedge site and noticed the section about resistors and calibration of controllers for swapping between 4.0 and 4.2 so probably best avoiding cutting wires!

the sensor in the s3 is a wideband sensor and is the sensor used with my innovate controller. presume as the plug is the same itll work with yours, but your gamble :)

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

Alan replied. Controllers are not compatible with 4.0 sensors. Hopefully this thread will prevent someone else making the same mistake!

Good (in a bad kind of way). I didn't think the 4.0 would work.

But, as Stevie says, the 4.2s are dead easy to find now.

And it's probably down to the buying power of VAG - the plugs (controller end) are mostly allways quoted by the VAG part number.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???