Hardware Support


DYNOmite-Pro EEPROM Update

9/8/2013 – 9.976 DYNOmite-Pro EEPROM firmware free upgrade on-line! Version 9.977  is available to upgrade from all prior Pro (or Lite) versions! Click here to read what’s new!

Current DYNOmite-Pro (or Lite) board set owners may use DYNO-MAX’s “Electronics – Display DYNOmite Parameters… – Check for Upgrade” button to download and flash update to the 9.977 release – at no charge!

 Important: As of 9/1/2012, DYNOmite-Pro (or Lite) EEPROM versions older than 9.975 are no longer eligible for support – so upgrade today!

(Note: If your dynamometer’s PC is not hooked to the Internet, you may download the upgrade – further down on this page – for manual re-flashing).

64-bit DYNOmite-Pro USB Drivers

These USB drivers support running the DYNOmite-Pro board, on the Windows-7 64-bit, Vista 64-bit, or XP 64-bit operating systems. The drivers require version 9.98 (or later) of DYNO-MAX 2010. Click this link to download the DYNOmite 64-bit USB Driver Installer, select to Save the DYNOmite-64-bit_USB.msi file to a local folder, then choose to Open Folder and double-click the file. This will launch the DYNOmite USB Driver Setup Wizard.

DYNOmite-Basic Board EPROM Update

An improved DYNOmite-Basic control algorithm (for non-Pro-board) users running the Electronic Load Control Servo) is now available! It uses technology, originally developed for our new DYNOmite-Pro board sets, to improve their Sweep (or Step) RPM Test’s stability and response (of the DYNOmite-Basic units). If you are currently running EPROM version 8.51 (or 8.18), this $200 EPROM firmware upgrade may be ordered at a discounted price. Contact sales for your exact pricing.

DYNOmite AFR Module

Updated DYNOmite AFR .lst and .daq files are available to support our latest 0-5 volt analog and RS232 digital output DYNOmite AFR O2 Module. If you are not certain if you have the correct files for your version, contact support@land-and-sea.com and we will e-mail you out the appropriate versions. There is no charge for these updates.

DYNOmite AFR Module’s analog 0-5 volt output vs. corresponding AFR values for various fuels.

Analog Volts Ethanol AFR Gasoline AFR Methanol AFR Diesel AFR
0.000 5.57 9.00 3.92 8.88
1.000 6.81 11.00 4.79 10.85
2.000 8.04 13.00 5.66 12.82
  2.850* 9.10 14.70 6.40 14.50
3.000 9.28 15.00 6.53 14.80
4.000 10.52 17.00 7.40 16.77
5.000 11.76 19.00 8.27 18.74

*Lambda AFR values

Other DYNOmite Announcements

The DYNO-mite Users Forum is an alternative no-charge support option available to all DYNOmite owners.

DYNOmite-Pro Spark Advance option is available. DYNO-MAX (version 9.31 or later) users can now capture real-time ignition advance data from  their DYNOmite-Pro board sets via a new Spark Advance EEPROM option. An Inductive RPM / Spark Pick-Up (to signal the spark’s occurrence) and a crankshaft mounted RPM pick-up (to also serves as a position reference) are required as well. Contact sales for more information on this $299 EEPROM option.

“Cigarette Lighter” RPM Pick-Up. Chassis dyno owners will enjoy the convenience of reading engine RPM by simply plugging into the vehicle’s “cigarette lighter” (12-volt auxiliary power outlet). This new pick-up’s signal amplifier and timer equipped filter circuitry extracts engine RPM from “spark noise” (pulses) induced into the vehicle’s 12-volt wiring. Works on most (although not all) spark ignition applications (under DYNO-MAX “Pro”). Contact sales for ordering information.

Inductive RPM Pick-Up enhancement adds an advanced signal conditioning circuit board, and is available to existing owners of our DYNOmite Inductive RPM Clamp. This new design is non-directional – no reversing of the clamp for different polarity ignitions is required! It internally and automatically regulates the incoming signal intensity – sensitivity knob adjustments are no longer required! Works on a much wider range of ignition types and RPM ranges  – only one clamp (and circuit tuning) required for most vehicles and engines! On-board electronic timer self-adjusts for RPM and multi-spark ignitions – not much fools this thing. Surface mount electronic timers and filters are entirely housed within an all metal clamp – provides the best RFI resistance possible! Call to upgrade your existing clamp with this state-of-the-art front end – for only $99, satisfaction guaranteed, or your money back. Note: We are restricting this product to our registered DYNOmite owners. Requests to retrofit Dynojet, Mustang, Superflow, etc. systems will not be accepted

Note: We are restricting this product to our registered DYNOmite owners. Requests to retrofit Dynojet, Mustang, Superflow, etc. systems will not be accepted.

DYNOmite Dynamometer Owner's Manual - 1/9/2012 date (hardware and electronics)

To download a free printable copy of the (1/9/2012 dated) DYNOmite Owner’s manual to your PC, click on this Zipped “DYNOmite Owner’s Manual.exe” link!

Attention: Manual is over 400 pages!  10 megabytes (approximate download time with 56k modem = 30 minutes).

Tip: The above file is compressed. After downloading you will need to “double click” on it (i.e. from Windows Explorer). This action expands it into a “.pdf” file that you can then open with the free Adobe Acrobat [] Reader for viewing or printing.

To view the manual “on-line,” if you have a fast broadband connection, click on the this “DYNOmite Owner’s Manual.pdf” format link.

DYNOmite-Pro EEPROM Version 9.976 Download

This free firmware EEPROM flash upgrade to Version 9.977  (from any prior Pro or Lite version) is now available.

 Important: As of 9/1/2012, DYNOmite-Pro (or Lite) EEPROM versions older than 9.975 will no longer be eligible for support – so upgrade (for Free) today! Note: All of the historical changes (below) are included in the current 9.976 release (available below)!

The easiest way to do a DYNOmite flash upgrade (if your dynamometer’s PC has an Internet connection) is to use DYNO-MAX’s “Electronics – Display DYNOmite Parameters… – Check for Upgrade” button to automatically download and flash update to this latest release.
(Note: If you are running multiple boards, be sure to re-run the actual flashing procedure for each board. See DYNO-MAX’s on-line Help for more important details on the flashing procedure.)

If your dynamometer’s PC is not hooked to the Internet, you can manually download the eeprom-99760.phy file, un-Zip it to a USB thumb-drive or disk, and manually transfer it onto your DYNO-MAX equipped PC. Then, use DYNO-MAX’s “Tools – Options – Flash DYNOmite Firmware…” feature to install the upgrade into each DYNOmite board set (via its RS232 serial interface). Click on this Zipped “Download DYNOmite eeprom-99750.phy now” link (and then click Run) to begin downloading the file.

When downloading completes, the “DYNOmite EEPROM pre-installation” screen displays – click its OK button. “WinZip Self Extractor – eeprom-99760.exe” opens. Click its “Unzip” button to extract the “eeprom-99760.phy” file to a suitable folder (e.g. your “C:\Program Files\DYNO-MAX\TempRuns”). This extracted file is what you need to browse to during the DYNO-MAX EEPROM flashing procedure.

Important: The above extracted file is what your must point to during the actual flashing! You cannot directly flash using the Zipped “eeprom-99760.exe” file.

What's New in DYNOmite-Pro EEPROM Versions (historical changes)

Notable changes in 9.976
    1) Restores medium-RPM,15 to 33 Hertz range (916 to 2,000) RPM at 1 PPR, averaging, in single-cylinder RPM modes (e.g. 2/2, or 4/4). For unrelated reasons, averaging, in this speed range, was deactivated in the 9.975 EEPROM release – it did remaine active at higher speeds. Reactivation of averaging, in the lower RPM ranges, smooth’s the exhaust-versus-firing stroke RPM variations inherent in single-cylinder engines. The result is smoother looking RPM data and load-control behavior, even just above the idle speed range of many single-cylinder engines.

 Notable changes in 9.975
    1) Filters out intermittent, very-low (< 900) RPM, rising spikes (bug fix)
    2) Extends RPM-C’s “Smart Latency” synchronization, to below 15 Hertz – improving very-low (< 900) RPM smoothness and inertial-torque compensation
    3) Corrects slight “Smart Latency” induced inertial-torque ripple (for RPM-C), occurring at 1,000-RPM intervals, that was detectable (only) at high acceleration rates
    4) Enables RPM-C’s “Smart Latency” synchronization in both 4/1 and 4/4 modes, including high-resolution (x 0.1.) modes, making it now (automatically) active in all RPM modes
    5) Updates load-control algorithm, for eddy-current type absorbers,, to slightly improve very-low-speed control

Notable changes in 9.974:
    1) Control algorithms now support a “Minimum Hold RPM-C” load-control parameter (added in DYNO-MAX 10.20). This parameter specifies an absorber RPM that must be exceeded before the DYNOmite auto-load control will apply any loading. The delay avoids excessive loading during hard launching of rapidly-accelerating vehicles – primarily an issue when running absorbers capable of delivering significant low-speed resistance (e.g. AC-motor or hydraulic-gear absorbers). Setting is only applicable in “RPM Source #3 (RPM-a, RPM-C)” mode – and defaults to 0 RPM.
    2) Adds RPM-C “Smart Latency” synchronization, improving inertial-torque data smoothness (less spiky) and inertial-compensation accuracy.

Notable changes in 9.966:
    1) The DYNOmite’s PID 
load-control’s Rate (derivative) factor was deactivated as of the 9.960 Beta EEPROM – for testing. It is reactivated in this 9.966 release.
    2) For eddy-current absorbers (only) the PID load-control’s Rate (derivative) factor has been (internally) multiplied (8x) – compared to what it was in version 9.952 (or earlier). This change better scales this one factor to the Gain (proportional) and Drift (integral) factors.
Note: If you are using eddy PID control, you may need to reduce your rate settings.

    
See Winter 2010 DYNOmite Newsletter article for more extensive details on recent EEPROM changes.

Notable changes in 9.965 Beta:
    1) The DYNOmite’s onboard spike filtering, for the Frequency #2 (Absorber RPM-C) channel, was deactivated by the 9.960 Beta EEPROM changes. The feature is reactivated in this 9.965 release.

Notable changes in 9.960 Beta:
    1) Advanced math routines reduce the analog-to-digital converter’s standard Gaussian noise distribution – effectively yielding roughly a doubling of the torque-channel’s resolution.
    2) Inertial-torque readings improved with more sophisticated synchronization and finer interpolation between individual encoder tooth (or magnet) interrupts − improving smoothness of inertial torque curves.
    3) Code optimization maintains maximum data throughput, under high RPM control conditions, even with the additional overhead of the new math routines.
    4) 
The DYNOmite’s PID load-control’s Rate (derivative) factor has been (temporarily) deactivated in this Beta version  It will be reactivated in an upcoming (by early March 2011) release.

Notable changes in 9.952:
    1) Support for DYNO-MAX’s absorber type Device = “#8 External PID 0-5v D/A #2” (Electronics – Configure DYNOmite Controls) the Gear, Shift, and Drive Ratios are now factored into the Hold RPM passed (as a 0-5 volt signal) via D/A#2.
    2) Fixed text-label character typos in the (LCD equipped DYNOmite’s) LARGE CHARACTER screen modes.

Notable changes in 9.951:
    1) The logic supporting DYNO-MAX’s “Reverse Servo Direction” (Electronics – Configure DYNOmite Controls) functionality has been coded directly into the DYNOmite for expanded modes of functionality.
    2) The logic supporting DYNO-MAX’s “Keep Servo Energized” (Electronics – Configure DYNOmite Controls) functionality has been coded directly into the DYNOmite for smoother operation and expanded modes of functionality.
    3) Additional DYNOmite calibration fields are self range checked during power up.

Notable changes in 9.95:
    1) Eliminates an intermittent RPM glitch (only at certain 250-second intervals) that may interfere with smooth servo control of RPM (or throttle).

Notable changes in 9.93:
    1) Automatically adapts load control’s target hold set-point to compensate for a user’s lost engine RPM signal (e.g. if monitoring injector pulse and throttle is closed) and for other near-infinite shift-ratio conditions. 

Notable changes in 9.92:
    1) Advanced RPM algorithms for enhanced resolution and inertial compensation.
    2) Updated AWD electronic axle synchronization.
    3) Other minor tweaks.

Notable changes in 9.72:
    1) For users with the “Spark Advance” option, this release fixes a recent bug that deactivated the feature on Frequency #1 channel.
    2) Also for users with the “Spark Advance” option, 9.72 now supports passing the spark advance on the Frequency #4 (Air Flow) channel. This mode retains the RPM-A channel for reading Engine RPM (and calculating Shift Ratio). Now, even chassis dyno applications can use the spark advance option.

Notable changes in 9.70:
    1) Extends the upper limit for “Hold RPM x Drive Ratio x Gear Ratio x Shift Ratio” so that even very high desired Holding RPMs combined with a high Drive Ratio do not exceed the DYNOmite’s allowable range.

Notable changes in 9.69:
    1) Supports the use of Fuel-Flow Transducers or Air-Flow Turbines on the normal Absorber RPM (RPM-C) channel.

Notable changes in 9.65:
    1) Servos and speed (load) control modules now automatically re-synch (to their initial no-load – closed positions) whenever you press the Hold button – as long as the Engine RPM is zero. This is in addition to the normal re-synch that occurs during the data-acquisition board set’s power-up.
    2) During EEPROM flashing servo action is automatically suspended.
    3) Adds LCD support for additional Wide-Band AFR O2 modules.

Notable changes in 9.62:
    1) Resolution of servo control’s “…output Hold control on Board’s D/A #2 (0-5v)” increased from 10-bits to 12-bits.
    2) Backup (re-burn) of EEPROM parameters – using longer write times (to provide low-voltage “brown-out” protection.

Notable changes in 9.55:
    1)  For Eddy Current controllers the Gain #’ have been rescaled so that only 25% of the original value is required while the Rate #’s will need to be doubled.
    
2) Expanded support for multiple DYNOmite-Pro board sets on a single USB host (or hub).
    2) Support for additional toothed gear inductive RPM pickups.
    3) Several new LARGE CHARACTER “On-Board” screen modes for LCD equipped DYNOmites.
    4) Airflow turbine calibration now done in CFM (for LCD equipped DYNOmites).
    5) AFR offset calibration now also supported for LCD equipped DYNOmites.
    6) Longer write times provide low-voltage “brown-out” protection for internal parameter settings.
    7) Support for additional toothed gear inductive RPM pickups.

Notable changes in 9.54:
    1) Improved Simulated Road Load control
    2) Support for upcoming DYNO-MAX 2000 version 9.35’s high-resolution low-RPM modes.
    3) Low-voltage “brown-out” protection for internal parameter settings.
    4) Additional features have been added for the Pro model’s new LCD option.

Notable changes in 9.534 include:
    1) Automatic – onboard spike filtering is now integral to all DYNOmite-Pro Frequency channels.
    2) “Minimum Servo % of Scale” RPM can be reduced to 0% – allowing Eddy Current or AC chassis dyno loading down to zero RPM.
    3) Supports new DYNO-MAX 9.33 RPM channel Pulse Per Revolution dampening choices.
    4) Intermittent (non RFI induced) spikes in Frequency #2, #3, or #4 channels have been eliminated. This would have been noticed as an occasional 0.001 duration blip on either the Absorber RPM, Fuel Flow, or Air Flow channel).
    5) Smoke Opacity Meters are now supported as a DYNOmite-LCD 0-5 volt channel selection.

    6) The minimum RPM range that the DYNOmite-Pro can read down to has been extended. This allows chassis dyno owners to read very slow turning rollers – even when using only a single magnet (pulse) per revolution.

Notable changes in 9.532 include:
    1) Elimination of an infrequent, momentary, communication drop (in RS232 mode).
    2) Improved USB support (including re-flashing from USB mode).
    3) Supports new DYNO-MAX 9.3 features like Absorber Rev Limit and External 0-5v PID control.
    4) A bug in Frequency #3 (Fuel Flow) channel that occasionally required rebooting, to get readings, is fixed.
    5) Entering large Rate values in Configure DYNOmite Controls (for chassis dyno control) no longer cause a small positive Holding Speed bias.

Notable changes in 9.52 include:
    1) A new “soft” RPM-Limiter feature
    2) Quicker parameter setting (reduces communications interruptions when changing Hold modes, Zeroing, etc.
    3) Immunity from DA #2 relay activation during torque arm Zeroing.
    4) A more robust RS232 EEPROM Flash Firmware routine. (Note: Unfortunately the flashing improvement will not be realized until after this upgrade.)

DYNOmite Parasitic Driveline Loss Values

Tables of typical parasitic loss and inertia values for various DYNOmite chassis roller and drive assemblies. These numbers represent the averages for each configuration.

LabVIEW for the DYNOmite-Pro

Are you needing to utilize National Instruments LabVIEW™ (version 7.0 or later) software with a DYNOmite-Pro board set? Here is a free Virtual Instrument (VI driver) download. It reads all 28 channels, at up to 115,200 baud over your selected serial port, and simultaneously writes the data to a .csv format file. Data is available in raw digital (i.e. 0-65,535 for 16-bit channels) ready to scale, offset, and display with your own custom LabVIEW code.

Here are the steps to follow to use LabVIEW with our free driver for the DYNOmite Pro boards:

    1) Own or purchase LabVIEW (version 7.0 or later) from National Instruments.. Note, LabVIEW 9.0 is the most-current tested release.

    2) Download and install the NI-Visa driver (version 4.6 or later) from National Instruments. This will install the required NI Visa run-time DLLs. The important DLL is “Visa32.dll” (typically installed into c:\Windows\System32).

    3) Download, unzip, and install our free DYNOmite-Pro LabVIEW RS232 serial driver (see link below).

    4) Run DYNOmite Pro Serial.VI File in LabVIEW (either by double-clicking the  DYNOmite-Pro Serial.VI file or by opening LabVIEW and browsing to that file.

    5) Turn on the DYNOmite and verify that its Orange (Output) LED is continuously glowing is continuously glowing (signaling it is streaming output data). If it is not, see the Tip (below) about putting the DYNOmite back into streaming mode.

    6) Using a DYNOmite shielded RS232 serial cable, connect the DYNOmite to the PC’s serial port.

    7) In Windows Device Manager (under Ports) set the applicable RS232 serial Com Port to: (Bit per second:115200, Data bits: 8, Parity: None, Stop Bits: 1, Flow control: None)

    7) In LabVIEW, you must set the Port #. Note that, in the LabVIEW driver, Port # 0 equals Windows Com Port #1. Be sure to keep this one-digit offset in mind when setting the Port number!

    8) You should now be able to click the Run button in LabVIEW to read the DYNOmite’s channels.

Important: The DYNOmite must be set to “continuous streaming output” mode (its default) and configured to use RS232 serial communications at 115,200 baud rate (also its default) to maintain data flow to the LabVIEW driver. However, if you ever use DYNO-MAX to communicate with the DYNOmite, DYNO-MAX automatically puts the DYNOmite into a special bi-directional mode! This mode will not work with LabVIEW. Instead, the DYNOmite will “time-out” after only 1.25 seconds (waiting for a DYNO-MAX response).

Tip:To set your DYNOmite back into “continuous streaming output” mode:
    1) Use DYNO-MAX’s “Tools – Options – Modify DYNOmite Parameters” to change Parameter #31 from 255 to 1. Do this while communicating with the DYNOmite in RS232 serial mode (USB mode is not supported by the LabVIEW driver).
    2) Close DYNO-MAX.
    3) Power cycle the DYNOmite off and then on.
    4) The DYNOmite should now be in “continuous streaming output” (indicated by the Orange (Output) LED is continuously glowing (signaling it is streaming output data).

Remember, if you use DYNO-MAX again (e.g. to calibrate a channel, etc.) you must repeat the above four steps before you exit DYNO-MAX.

Download the DYNOmite-Pro VI driver for LabVIEW

ImportantThis free driver file is offered as a courtesy for experienced LabVIEW version 7.0 (or later) users only. It is provided on an unsupported, ”as-is” basis, without warranty!

Click here to download the DYNOmite-Pro Serial VI driver now. 

After downloading you will need to unzip the install routine and then run it – to place the driver in your desired folder.