Any one know what's out there as far as data loging ALDL/OBD1 systems?
As far as cost and how many things they can log at once?
Has any one ever herd of any one useing an O-scope meter to log data?
I was just looking at getting a Fluke 123 0-scope meter for a nother project. It will fill the huge gap of functions that my little radio shack meter won't do. Then I figured out that I could adapt it to log data from 2 inputs from my car. Up to 60 seconds with just the meter or as long I want if I plug it into to my lap top.
Plus I could use it to log data on any Fuel injected car not just ALDL/OBD1.
As long as I could get values for what ever the meter picks up and use the provided sftw to change the volt or frequency values to say degrees F, O2 count, TPS volts, RPM's, injector duty cycle or MAF readings.
I was thinking log RPM's with say O2, MAF or injector duty cycle.
Thinking I will have to log RPM's with most every thing for the base line. Or any thing with any thing, only probem is that it will only log 2.
The fluke 123 is over kill for this appication, this is a super senctive piece of test equipment and other electronical engine functions might interfere with it (I can flip the test leads around in the air and the meter will pick up the small voltage inducted on to it by earths magnetic field).
I have one of these where I work and play with it when ever I can on mid shift.

 

OBD1 LT1 specific there is freeScan which is free. Monitor TONS of things but only in real time numerical output, or unlimited length log to excel. From there you could graph it like an oscilloscope.

Another option is TTS datamaster. They have options for lt1 obd1 and most other obd1/aldl systems. Each has its own license you need to buy. It monitors all the same stuff as freeScan, plus optional tranny monitoring. The biggest difference is that it also has ability to realtime graph 4 different parameters. You can also do unlimited logging and when replaying a log can display any input onto the graph you want.

The biggest difference between these logging programs and an oscilloscope would be versatility IMO. You can use the oscilloscope on any car, any platform as long as you know your connections and where to probe the wires. You also have the added ability to change your frequency of readings, volt ranges etc. Putting the frequency in the nS range will often pick up a glitch that a logging program will rarely catch. You will also have the ability to measure the ac waveforms for wheel sensors, true frequency output of MAF, injector pulses etc that loggers dont handle.

Another big difference is the price. The oscilloscopes that I have used at school are in the $2,000+ range. They are awesome pieces of equiptment, but I really could never justify the cost of one for the minor benefits over TTS Datamaster UNLESS i had my own shop.

 

this may need moved?

On that note i recently picked up the new Mac "TaskMaster ET3005" Scan tool. Price was $1,000($999.99 for the hard heads).

This is a full fledge shop scanner for domestics 80s and up and does GLoble OBD-II and CAN.

Now this little baby has built in logging AND graphing PLUS it comes with the software to down load the files to a PC(an expensive option on others).

I got one of the first ones to come out here in the Seattle area and just love this thing. I tunned my wifes car with the new cam in one night of scanning and logging. I took it to the track and in two passes dialed in the WOT to the point of final wide band tunning.

I am very impressed with this tool. Any thing else I looked at that was even close started in the $3,500 range. There are many cheaper units out but non of them do 95 and older cars as well as OBD-II. Not only does this one do them it had more features.

I would recomend this tool for anyone in the market for a good domestic diagnostic scan tool.

 

With what I was going to do to the V6 I will have to at least have a way to monitor it. When things start geting crazy I was going to toss the factory ECU for MSD stuff and maybe get a Mega squirt system(but I would like to go SFI like the f.a.s.t. and lose this injector bank fireing mid 80's crap and get a few higher % points of gas milage), I just need some thing to hold me over till then.
It's low $ but I like the MAF based fuel injection for turbo cars, it takes care of its self better.
The O-scope can only monitor it can't change any thing.
I was going to get it for a high voltage project I'm working on and figured I could use it on my car's mainly the V6 to monitor different things and as a poor mans (yea a $2,000 retailing 0-scope meter and I'm poor ) O2 and rpm loger on the Z28.