Datalogging huh?

[v8killar]

Ok i've been reading about logging for about a week now. And it's just gotten me more confused. I want to be able to log. I have a laptop that i wouldn"t mind using. i've read i need an interface but does that convert the power as well as the code between the comp and car. And if the laptop doesn't work i was going to get a palm. But some people say i need only a cable for it to work and other say i need an interface. i need help

 

[itola]

I dont understand what you mean when your asking if it converts the power as well as the codes between the comp and the car. As for the cable/interface dilema i assume by interface you mean software. And you do need some sort of software to be able to understand what its reading. As for what software to use thats up to you. SInce you have a 97 and a laptop i would recommend getting an in depth obd2 scanning software such as autotap. Hope some of this helps.

 

[huafist]

You can't use a plain 'ole cable like us 1G guys can - OBD-II is a little more complicated. You can build a fairly cheap OBD-II scanner/datalogger following the schematics on scantool.net if you're handy with electronics. I built one and it works great.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

And if the laptop doesn't work i was going to get a palm.

Either a laptop or a Palm will work to datalog.

i've read i need an interface but does that convert the power as well as the code between the comp and car.... i need help

To make things less confusing, let's put it this way... an interface must be used somewhere between the car and the computer. That's it! It takes care of everything else.

But some people say i need only a cable for it to work and other say i need an interface.

Some cables have interfaces built-in; some cables are just wires with an OBD connector on one end, and a serial connector on the other. If your cable doesn't have a built-in interface, it won't work and you risk damage to your computer.

As for the cable/interface dilema i assume by interface you mean software.

Nope, he means an interface. It's a physical piece of electronics that both converts the car's +12V to a computer's +5V level of processing. It also translates the OBD signals (which come in on a dual bus) to RS232 serial signals (single bus).

And you do need some sort of software to be able to understand what its reading.

True.

For anyone who's wondering, I finally finished the circuit boards, and I will have most of the components coming in this week. After that I will have a tech-article put up. For those of you who aren't as electronically inclined, I also have a number of pre-built interfaces available. They are all set up to connect directly to the OBDII port with a serial-out to connect to either a Palm or laptop. PM me for details.

(Full size unit is only 1.5"x2")

 

[v8killar]

so a normal interface will take car of converting the code as well as the power so it doesn't fry my laptop or palm. and i'm deff interested in your interface

 

[VelocitàPaola]

so a normal interface will take car of converting the code as well as the power so it doesn't fry my laptop or palm.

That's correct.

and i'm deff interested in your interface

Thanks, shoot me a PM later.

 

[itola]

Nope, he means an interface. It's a physical piece of electronics that both converts the car's +12V to a computer's +5V level of processing. It also translates the OBD signals (which come in on a dual bus) to RS232 serial signals (single bus).

Hey thanks for clearing that up for me. All the dataloging i have done has been pretty much plug and play. I havent had to buy things in bits and pieces which is why i had never heard of the interface piece. Thanks again.