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

I'm getting really amped up about purchasing and playing with a Microsquirt on my little project. I've read through nearly the whole MegaManual and everything I can on the MicroSquirt. I plan on using it on a single cylinder supercharged engine.

But my brain must be overloaded. I can't seem to wrap my brain the function of the Access Board.

From the site:
"For MicroSquirt, we have made a simple "access" board, similar to the relay board for MegaSquirt "
I understand the function of the relay board for the Mega-S, (to distrube high amp elec to the needed devices so as not to overload the main board). Hence, there are large relays on it. So if the Access board does the same thing, where are the relays?

But it appears that I would unplug the main harness from the Micro-S and plug it into the Access Board giving me CPU access. (And Disconnecting my line from my external MAP to the one in the Board.) But this doesn't allow me access to the Micro-S itself?

I'm confused. How does the access board fit in the system? Is it only an option? If so, How do I gain access to the Micro-S without one? Do I install a 9-pin connector to the main harness from the Micro-S?



sorry about the long confusing post. But I'm getting frustrated and decided take the flaming and just ask...


Thanks,

Nic

stick004 wrote: But my brain must be overloaded. I can't seem to wrap my brain the function of the Access Board.

From the site:
"For MicroSquirt, we have made a simple "access" board, similar to the relay board for MegaSquirt "
I understand the function of the relay board for the Mega-S, (to distrube high amp elec to the needed devices so as not to overload the main board). Hence, there are large relays on it. So if the Access board does the same thing, where are the relays?

sorry about the long confusing post. But I'm getting frustrated and decided take the flaming and just ask...

No flaming here - I can see the confusion!

The access board is a means to simply break out all of the signals to screw terminals, and have an on-board MAP and DB9 serial connector for MicroSquirt.

The access board does not have any relays, the intent for this setup was to use simple wire-mounted relays. So, yes external relays are required with the access board.

The relay board was designed for use with the MegaSquirt V2.2 and V3 board. This also has screw terminals and the relays, but it does not have the DB or MAP sensor on it, because the MS already has these mounted.

One could possibly use a relay and access in conjunction, but it would be much easier to use wire-mounted relays than to try to bring in the relay board.

In other words, the relay board plays with the MegaSquirt, the access board plays with the MicroSquirt. There is some overlap in function but they are both different.

Now, right now the access board is not available, I am working out the enclosure details. It will be ready in about a month or so.....

- Bruce

That kinda clears it up.

When it comes out, will there be a more detailed explaination as to how to hook it up and use it? That will help.

I understand the relay board to be a power distribution point directed by the MS-II box. Like the relay panel in my ford truck (the ECU tells my fuel pump relay, AIC relay, etc. when to turn via a relay) is this wrong? It actually feeds into the main CPU to give it signals? I thought that was the main function of the stimulator.

I'm just learning here, I'm sure it will be best for me to just read the instructions once it's out. As far as I can tell it's not needed to use and tune a Microsquirt, right? So I can continue my education and get it later if I want it.


Thanks,

Nic

What you would do is this...Mount your Access board in your vehicle, then wire all the power and grounds, as well as external relays, engine sensors and Injectors to the Access board terminal junction. Then hook the MicroSquirt up to the Access board main connector by using a pigtail wired with Ampseal connections on each end. The Access board provides a db9 seral connection for your laptop, as well as a map sensor.

The stimulator is designed for testing a Megasquirt off of the vehicle. Look at the Stimulator as an engine Simulator. The access board is a simple way to make required connections from the engine to the MicroSquirt.

Most of the standard harness made for Micrsquirt have the DB9 serial port built-in, and the web site shows how to hook it up to a generic setup.

see http://www.microsquirt.info/

stick004 wrote:That kinda clears it up.

When it comes out, will there be a more detailed explaination as to how to hook it up and use it? That will help.

Yep! The hookup between the microsquirt and access board will be extremely easy - we will offer pre-made ampseal-to-ampseal harnesses all ready to plug in and go. We are also going to offer two un-populated ampseals plus 35 wires with both ends crimped with ampseal pins - this will help those who need to run wires thru the firewall. It takes seconds to push the pins into the ampseal, and pin 1 goes to pin1, pin2 to pin2, ......

stick004 wrote: I understand the relay board to be a power distribution point directed by the MS-II box. Like the relay panel in my ford truck (the ECU tells my fuel pump relay, AIC relay, etc. when to turn via a relay) is this wrong? It actually feeds into the main CPU to give it signals? I thought that was the main function of the stimulator.

I'm just learning here, I'm sure it will be best for me to just read the instructions once it's out. As far as I can tell it's not needed to use and tune a Microsquirt, right? So I can continue my education and get it later if I want it.


Thanks,

Nic

Like I indicated earlier, the access board and the relay board have overlapping functions but there are differences.

I have just wired up a 1954 Ford F100 with a SBC engine with a MicroSquirt and an access board. The access board really assisted in connecting up the sensors, etc, and the indicator lights on the board show the injectors and ignition operation. But, for relays, I used external wire-mounted ones, and an external fuse block. It would have been nice to have these on the access board, but it is just a room issue.

One idea we are kicking around is a generic relay board that operates via CANbus. Since MicroSquirt and MS-II and the sequencer board all have working CAN (And James has it working under MS2Extra), it would be easy to set up the spare port logic to activate a relay on this board. Things like fuel pump activation, cooling fan, cooling pump motor, lockup converter, etc could be relay channels activated under CAN. It is sorta like the GPIO board but with relays instead. Just thinking out loud...

- Bruce

Bruce Bowling wrote:
One idea we are kicking around is a generic relay board that operates via CANbus. Since MicroSquirt and MS-II and the sequencer board all have working CAN (And James has it working under MS2Extra), it would be easy to set up the spare port logic to activate a relay on this board. Things like fuel pump activation, cooling fan, cooling pump motor, lockup converter, etc could be relay channels activated under CAN. It is sorta like the GPIO board but with relays instead. Just thinking out loud...

- Bruce

Bruce,
You got my vote for this..especially for future projects...you could offload all the sloww stuff to a smart relay I/O board and simplify the wiring a little at the same time. There could be a few extra I/O for autostart too...hehe..Of course I'm a big proponant of this remote CAN module think...