UNDERSTANDING HOW

CONVENTIONAL DATA RECORDERS

ACQUIRE THEIR DATA

Conventional style data recorders, those in which all sensors are hard wired to the recorder, require that each sensor transfers it’s signal, individually, between it and the recorder via a dedicated wire. This is in direct comparison to our V series recorders that use the V-Net technology to bundle their signals onto a single cable. Our Pro 1A and Pro II data recorders fall into the conventional recorder category. The schematic below will illustrate the general layout of a conventional recorder system.

In this section we will introduce you to each of these recorders and the components that can be used to connect the various types of sensors to them. There are some variation to each recorder’s face plate layout, and the methods in which the sensors are connected to the recorder, but the schematic will help you understand the basic components required to equip a vehicle with a complete conventional-style data acquisition system.

Each conventional style recorder has a faceplate that looks similar to the one shown here. In the sections below we will introduce you to the methods in which the various types of sensor can be connected to these recorders. Each section will also provide a link to more detailed information about each type of product.

ENGINE RPM: Engine RPM signals are conveyed to the recorder by means of a fiber optic cable from the primary spark pickup. On battery ignition engines the fiber optic cable is integrated into a wire loom that is connected to the ignition control box. Magneto equipped engines will install the primary spark pickup between the magneto and the coil/control box. Provision has been made to accept cable from one or two magnetos.

DIGITAL SENSORS: A device called an RPM Module is used to collect all RPM/digital signals other than the engine RPM. A cable from each digital sensor will attach to the RPM Module. A single cable will then relay these signals to the recorder. These sensors would typically include such items as the clutch input shaft RPM, drive shaft RPM, ring gear RPM, and flow meters.

ANALOG SENSORS: The signal from a pressure, temperature, vacuum, or position/movement type sensor must pass through a transducer before the recorder can accept it. These transducers are most often housed in our Pro Analog Transducer Box. The exception is the Pro 1A recorder that houses five transducers internally, although it too can utilize the Pro Analog Transducer Box. Once again, to eliminate a cluster of wiring, a single cable is used to connect the Pro Analog Transducer Box to the recorder.

EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATURES: The signal conditioning for exhaust gas temperature thermocouples are done within the recorder. Their signals do not need to pass through an external transducer, as do the signals from other analog sensors. Consequently each thermocouple probe is routed to a junction box, with up to four probes per junction box on each cylinder bank. A cable from each junction box will merge into a single cable, which is then connected to the recorder.

IGNITION TIMING: The Pro 2 data recorder has the capacity to monitor ignition timing. The cables from the multiple digital sensors required for this task are connected to our Timing Module. A single cable will then transfer the signals to the recorder. It is suggested that you consult with the Racepak Technical Department when adding ignition timing to your system. When timing functions are not used this module can be used to connect standard RPM sensors to the Pro 2 data recorder.

PRO DASH: The Pro 2 recorder has the unique ability to output information to a gauge-type display panel called a Pro Dash. This onboard display can monitor up to 36 different functions in real time.