MicroSquirt.com read only forum (Jan.15,2018)

Im looking for information on using the crane xr700 optical triggering system to run megasquirt II. I have found a bunch of info relating to megasquirt'n'spark, but not much for msii (v.3). I have read that the signal (grey wire) does not put out enough voltage for ms to recognise it (and i experienced this when i got no spark hooking msii into that wire). Has anyone used this ignition system effectively with msii?

the next thing i will try is taking the signal after the amplifier box, but i dont know if msii has enough juice to effectively trigger the coil.

any info out there. anyone done this before.

so upon further reading, msii cannot run off of the negative side of the coil due to its advanced state in the ignition stage. so my question is, is there a way to effectively amplify the signal from the optical sensor, so msii can pick it up if i cant control spark from the (-) side of the coil?

im hoping im not s.o.l. with this ignition system. would be a terrible waste of money.

Adam,

What you need is a transistor - these are amplifiers by nature. An NPN transistor hooked to a 5 Volt source (collector) and ground (emitter) with a resistor to limit the current, and switched by the optical sensor (again with a resistor to limit the current to the base) will do what you want.

There's an intro here: http://www.technologystudent.com/elec1/transis1.htm

For a practical solution see: http://www.msefi.com/viewtopic.php?p=93343#93343

Lance.

so msii needs around a min of 1.8v(?) to for ignition triggering. is there a maximum voltage?

basically what im asking is can i run a simple 12v transistor or do i need to bring the voltage down (with resistor or voltage regulator or alike) before and use the 5v transistor described in the link above.

i ask because i want to do this outside of the ms board. i did not build it and am a bit hesitant to dive into a completed working board. i have a friend who can make me up something independed with out too much trouble, assuming i have accurate info.

any progress? I would like the same application