Dedenbear

[lecroy]

Does anyone in the group use the Dedenbear Command Center?

[Anonymous]

I don't have a CC, but I am familiar with Dedenbear's products, well, some anyway.

What do ya need?

[lecroy]

For those that have no idea what they are for, try this link:

http://www.staginglight.com/guide/delay.html

I am in the process of creating new software for the CC series to correct some of the short comings of it when used in motorcycle applications. I figured if anyone had some input for other features they would like to see, I may go ahead an add them as well.

After going over the design, I am almost thinking to just make a better unit all together.

[lecroy]

I have started working on the Command Center. If you are interested, see the following ....

http://dickey.no-ip.org/deden.html

[lecroy]

Sorry about the length.....

Even if you are not a die hard drag person, I would like to hear your thoughts about this...

I am now adding a filter feature to the CC which will prevent false double shifts. I want this for two reasons, the expense of transmission failure and the hazard if the transmission were to lock after failure. PROSTAR allows the use of the timers and I have attached the 2003 rules relating to their use.

The way I interpret the rules, the filter would not be allowed.

Do you think the 2003 rules allow for such a filter?
If not, should PROSTAR change the rules for 2004 to allow it?



Delay Boxes: Permitted in TG, SC, SG & P/ET only. Delay box
or Delay Device is defined as any device (electronic, pneumatic,
hydraulic or mechanical, etc.) built for the express purpose of
creating a delay between release of line loc button, or release of
foot or hand brake, or release of clutch lever and the resultant
action of the motorcycle. Delay device may only delay amount
dialed in; analog or digital display permitted. Delay device may
serve only to create a preset delay between the release of
launch button and resultant release of the launch rpm rev limiter,
line-loc, clutch, etc causing initial movement of the motorcycle.
Delay device may only be connected to systems; i.e.:
launch rpm rev limiter and/or trans brake and/or line loc, and/or
clutch, dependent on motorcycle, shift timer or throttle stop.
Delay device connected to data recorders or any other equipment
is prohibited. Wiring of delay box/device must be fully visible
and traceable by the technical inspector. Only delay
boxes/devices fitting this description will be permitted.


Computers: Prostar accepted aftermarket engine management
system acceptable. No motorcycle may be equipped with a
computer that in any way affects the operation or function of the
motorcycle based on measurements, sensing, processing, etc.,
of any data related to the performance of the motorcycle or location
of the motorcycle on the racetrack. Display or transmission
of any data gathered or processed, to the rider, or any remote
location, is prohibited.

[lecroy]

The 2004 rule book is out. Notice the change......

"*Computers: Prostar accepted aftermarket engine management system acceptable. Any team or company requesting approval of computer software must supply Prostar with a licensed copy. "

I guess they had not thought that people may want to change the software. I think they should just open the whole thing up. Let everyone be a winner.

[rosco15]

What do you mean by false double shifts. And what kind of a filter are you talking about.

Ryan

[lecroy]

The way the Dedenbear works, or at least the version 2.0 software, you program a shift point in RPM. This can be between 2000 and 9999 RPM. The RPM switch output will then activate once this speed is reached. There is a fixed (hard coded in software) oneshot that enables the output for 250mS (not including the mechanical relay time constants).

The CC looks for the RPM to fall 200 RPM below the switch point before looking for another rise in engine speed. If the RPM falls below the 200 RPM point and again rises to the switch point faster than 250mS, the switch output will remain active for an additional 250mS. Even at 300ms the bike may or may not shift because of the speed of the relay, solenoid and air shifter.

What happened last year was during the event at Atco, there was a large bump in one lane of the track. It was out far enough that you could not use the deadman timer to filter it out. The bump was bad enough to cause the rear tire to unload and bounce a few times. The RPM would reflect this, and the time constant was outside of the 250mS window. One way to solve this would be to add an external one-shot, but it makes more sense to do it with the computer.

[lecroy]

I had been posting my changes on the dragbike.com forum. Thought I would give an update. Don't think it will be run at Gainesville this year because of the lack of real testing. Tracks around here won't open until later on.


I have updated the manual to include a how-to section. Also the reaction test is now done with a random timer. I had it fixed before and was finding that I would try and guess when the LED would come on, rather than pratice my reaction time. Works better. No new features beyond this.

http://dickey.no-ip.org/deden.html

Any comments are welome.

[lecroy]

http://dickey.no-ip.org/deden.html

I am still working on the Command Center software and it's taking shape now. Most of the details are in the manual.

The latest software has now been tested on an Atmel FLASH device. This is nice because the part can be reprogrammed and is easy to come by. If you read the manual you will notice that I have decided to supply the software free of charge to those of you wanting to try it out. With the FLASH device I am thinking to make the files available on the Web that you may download into your own device and do your own upgrades.

If your interested in more information about this, you would need to purchase some of the FLASH devices. These may be purchased from the following source:

http://www.digikey.com/

The part number is AT89LV55-12PC or AT89LV55-12PI. The cost is about $10/ea so you may as well order a couple to meet the minimum order.

If you don't own a programmer, you will ned to purchase one. A programmer will hook to your PC and will allow you to put the files I make available into the parts you buy. Programmers will come in a wide range of cost and features. The following links are a few of the lower cost units available. I have never tried any of these so your on your own. Make sure that they suppor the operating system that is loaded on your PC.

http://electronickits.com/kit/complete/prog/ck1706.htm

http://www.dontronics.com/diyk121.html

http://www.oceancontrols.com.au/atmel_programmers.htm

http://www.grantronics.com.au/gp-at.html

If you want something a bit nicer try:

http://www.xeltek.com/

http://www.eetools.com/

One of the Xeltek units (superpro 280U) supports USB and will run under most of the new OSs. Cost is under $600 compared to the EETOOLs TopMax which requires a printer port and costs around $1000.


At this time I am not sure when I will make the first version available. More testing needs to be done and I am still adding features.


As always, your comments and suggestions on this project are welcome and are an important part of the development process. If you want to write me directly feel free. lecroy7200@chek.com





The Polarbear software now has the following features:


Real Time Tachometer will display up to 14,000 RPM with a resolution of 10 RPM

RPM Switch output may have a set point of 2000 RPM to 14,000 RPM in all modes

User programmable Maximum number of shift cycles for a given run (may be set between 1 and 9)

User programmable shift filter to help prevent false shifts where rough track conditions are present

SLC output when used with RPM switch eliminates the need for the Dyna Shift Counter

Skip input now supports dual functions and doubles as the manual shift input

Shifting is disabled prior to starting and after a run to allow performing a burn out without the need for an external switch

Users can set the Command Center to control a 1-2 Auto, 1-2-3 Auto and most other transmissions

Ignition kill signal (provided from SLC output) may be set from 0 to 999mS in 1mS increments

RPM switch output on-time is programmable from 0 to 1.999 seconds

Reaction time tester allows rider to practice using their setup (same button, riding position, etc)

Reaction tester is now done on a random time to prevent anticipation of light

User can display the total shift cycles that happened for a given run

Improved trigger jitter error