Here is a set of RaceCapture/Pro boards, currently under test.

We just verified that all four hand-assembled accelerometer modules actually work! (small boards in green) Soldering fine pitch components is so often a sketchy exercise so I’m always a bit stunned when they come to life.

Here we have a minor update to the Megajolt/E ignition controller.  What did we do? Just a few things:

Normalized components

Updated the design to use mostly 0603 parts so we can share components across RaceCapture,  Megajolt/C and other projects.  This will save us a ton of hassle swapping component reels on the pick and place when we switch between building our projects. Yep, we’re lazy.

Stencil Printing

Boy, I wish we would’ve done this sooner. We switched from the CNC dot dispenser to our soon-to-be heavily used stencil printer with spectacular results. We saw incredible improvements in our production quality, starting with the first batch!

TPS parts always installed

The parts for the input circuit for the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) parts are now always installed, so 5V v-ref on the Molex connector is useful even with a MAP sensor’d version.  Just don’t simultaneously use MAP and TPS or the readings will be off!

Matte Black PCB

We’re also trying out a matte black solder mask on the boards  for the near term.  I actually don’t care for it much- we currently use a ‘No Clean’ solder flux and it does leave some unsightly staining. So, next batch will be gloss black. The initial theory with the black PC boards is that reflow performance improves due to increased heat absorption of the board using the darker color. While I didn’t take any hard measurements, not one board in our recent batch had reflow issues, a case that sometimes popped up with the plain’ol green boards. Yes, I could bump the temperature up on the reflow profile, but I’m going for consistency without creating hot spots. So far, so good, aside from the cosmetic annoyances.

Updated Instructions / Software

On deck are changes to the Wiki / installation instructions and Configuration software.  Although the design is 90% the same, the current installation instructions don’t match reality. Configuration software needs a refresh as well!

Hey! We have the Autosport Labs Apparel and Gear store open with the awesome designs from our not-so-recent T-shirt contest!

We’ve taken care to optimize the graphics so they look great on light and dark clothing (We personally prefer dark)  Plus, graphics are on the back, where they belong.

Here are the winning designs:

Dr. Occa - "A Great Flame Follows a Little Spark"

Spockie-Tech & Alhbln- "Timing Does Matter"

Funky Driver- "Redefining the Basics"

Thanks again to the contest winners!

Do check out all the Autosport Labs / Powered by Megajolt gear!

If you haven’t heard of the awesome Dorkbot Empire, it’s a loose affiliation of engineers, artists, makers, and hackers meeting once a month talking about ‘Doing Strange Things with Electricity”. After I attended the April meeting (a jam packed kit-building night) I had lunch with Josh Kopel , one of the organizers of the Seattle Dorkbot Chapter.  We chatted on and on about technology, making stuff, and waxed philosophical about turning your passion into a business (He’s building an awesome kids-oriented interactive storytelling site called Squigaloo)  Mixed in to our conversation he invited me to share my experiences  building Autosport Labs at the May Dorkbot meeting.  Not being a prolific public speaker, I initially did a little *gulp*, then realized I had much to share, and became really excited at the opportunity!

What I learned at Dorkbot was that it was an extraordinary experience sharing Autosport Labs’ rather organic inception, growing the business, our recent acceleration, and the exciting things to come. I thought it would be great to share these slides with you, with the hopes of inspiring whatever you’re going for in life!

What have you learned following your passion? What wisdom would you share with those starting with a pocketful of dreams?

Megajolt Ignition – Why you should fit one

By Dave Robson

There are a lot of car racing today still using carburetors and distributors. The more modern formulae have fuel injection and Electronic Control Units (ECUs) to control the fuel and ignition needs of their engines. The choice is sometimes made for you by the regulations that govern your particular racing formula and sometimes it is a personal preference. Some of us like carburetors and distributors because they have ‘grown up’ with them and can understand the mechanics of their operation. Others like to tinker with electronics and software and relish the precision that digital control offers.

I race in 750 Formula which stipulates the use of a single choke carburetor and ignition with only one trigger mechanism. In an effort to get the best out of the ignition system, many of us have used electronic ignition systems such as the Lumination system for a while. In fact the standard FIAT Punto system that comes with the engine is triggered magnetically and amplified electronically. At least these systems have a strong spark and eliminate contact breakers with their unreliable condensers, wear problems and variable timing.  So why consider anything different?

What’s wrong with a distributor?

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