RE: [DML] Serious Megasquirt Question

["DarkStar Media" <darkstarmedia@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Actually AAA will tow you wherever you want to go.  If you elect to have
yourself towed to a closed tire shop, who's fault is it?

Richard

-----Original Message-----
From: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
content22207
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 12:21 AM
To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [DML] Serious Megasquirt Question

  

As I explained in Message #84549 I have two ignition modules in my car: the
Duraspark module that is my primary ignition controller, and the original
Bosch unit which is currently sitting idle. Because no wiring mods were
made, I can switch between them at will: if the Duraspark unit ever fails,
all I have to do is plug the Bosch module in and get right back on the road.

Duraspark modules are of course stock items at all parts houses, but that
wouldn't do me any good after hours (like now: I've just gotten in from a
nocturnal drive back to North Carolina).

I also carry a full size 50,000 mile steel belted radial spare tire. If I
ever get a flat tire in the middle of the night (or during daylight hours on
a weekend), I can get right back on the road. I could drive through state
after state after state on my spare, at highway speeds, if necessary. I did
drive all over the DC area on it once looking for an in stock 235/60-15 tire
(sliced sidewall -- no way to repair that). Note that AAA will only tow you
to one tire shop and leave you there -- if the shop is closed, or if they
don't have your tire size in stock, you're screwed. Any owner who doesn't
carry a usable spare tire is just asking for trouble, especially with
pavement coming apart these days (the jagged edge of a pothole claimed my
sidewall). There also is a lot of crap on the roads that can puncture a tire
(does AAA plug tires on the side of the road?).

Bill Robertson
#5939

--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com> , "Owen"
<omalbec@...> wrote:
>
> What is your contingency plan today should your stock Ignition Control
Unit craps out (it is 30+ years old after all)? Or your stock RPM relay? Or
your fuel pump? Or.... we can play this game all night. It doesn't matter
one iota if your fuel delivery is mechanical if your spark control is
electronic.
> 
> I for one believe that whether one is K-Jetted, carburetted or EFI'd, AAA
or classic insurance with towing package is probably a prudent investment. I
don't care what your fueling mechanism, if you lose your spark control,
you're screwed.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com> ,
"content22207" <brobertson@> wrote:
> >
> > I mean controller replacement. My little brother had to replace the
onboard computer in his Oldsmobile not too long ago. For some reason the
thing died while he was at work. 
> > 
> > Onboard electronics do die. I helped a DeLorean owner last year whose
Bosch ignition module had died (his dead ECU donated the harness connector
for the adapter my Duraspark module is using).
> > 
> > All electronic devices are subject to failure. It is unrealistically
optimistic to claim that one's own devices will never fail. If I was totally
dependent upon an onboard controller for my fuel delivery, I would
definitely have a contingency plan.
> > 
> > Bill Robertson
> > #5939
> > 
> > 
> > --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com> ,
"DarkStar Media" <darkstarmedia@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Define "dies"...
> > > 
> > > If the computer shorts out it's dead anyway and no laptop or phone 
> > > will do anything about it, just like any ECU.
> > > 
> > > Baring that they are extremely reliable and once setup just run and
run.
> > > 
> > > If there is a re-boot while running (usually only if you are 
> > > screwing with
> > > it) you see a hiccup but the MS ECU tends to recover before the 
> > > engine drops more than 100rpm (think slight stumble).
> > > 
> > > Richard
> > > 
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com>  
> > > [mailto:dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com> 
> > > ] On Behalf Of
> > > content22207
> > > Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 3:31 PM
> > > To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > Subject: [DML] Serious Megasquirt Question
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > If the onboard controller dies, do you have to reload all the fuel 
> > > maps from scratch? If so, is there a smartphone interface so you 
> > > don't have to upload them from a laptop?
> > > 
> > > I'm thinking about what happens if the controller dies while 
> > > you're on a trip.
> > > 
> > > On my own car I am only dependent upon the ignition ECU, and I 
> > > carry a spare for that (Duraspark is my primary ECU and the 
> > > original Bosch unit is my backup).
> > > 
> > > Bill Robertson
> > > #5939
> > >
> >
>







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