RaymondH

I've seen references to these on this board and would like to know a bit more about them. What exactly are they, who supplies them, are they worth having and how much are they? Ta.

Raymond (Sorry for all the questions )

IWatkins

http://www.se-r.net/about/nx2000/turbo_mag/aug98/techtom.html

pwebb

I posted the following recently...probably all you need to know


I have been evaluating a Techtom MDM100-S2 display unit for reading live data from the JECS ECU in my B4 RSK.

The MDM100-S2 is specific to Legacy B4/GTB and New Age WRX/STI ver 7 only and includes functions specific to the twin turbo and Variable Valve Timing engines - these cars have the 'new-style' Select Monitor Connector under the dash.

There is an earlier MDM-100 unit that is suitable for the previous Impreza and Legacy models and also versions to suit other JECS ECU equipped cars from Nissan, Mitsubishi, e.g. 200 SX, Lancer Turbo etc. - a full list of these is visible on the Techtom site at:

http://www.excite.co.jp/world/url/body?wb_url=http://www.techtom.co.jp/MDMmatchM.html%23M2&wb_lp=JAEN&wb_dis=2

(machine translation)

The unit can display 2 of the items below in realtime on separate lines of the LCD display in any combination.

Functions available for the B4 RSK (Manual) include:

Engine Coolant Temp (in Fahrenheit or Centigrade)

Fuel Injection Duty (%)

Engine RPM (increments of 1 rpm)

Speed in kmh or mph (NB comments below for uk converted cars)

Ignition advance (degrees)

Lambda (O2) sensor state - Front (Rich or Lean)

Lambda (O2) sensor state - Rear (Rich or Lean)

Battery (volts)

Air Flow Meter (volts)

Throttle Position Sensor (volts)

Fuel Injector activity (milliseconds)

Ignition Retard setting (x.x)

Barometric Pressure (kg/cm2 or mm-mercury)

Boost Pressure (psi, kg/cm2 or mm-mercury)

Waste Gate Controller no.1 activitation (%)

Waste Gate Controller no.2 activitation (%)

Idle Speed Controller duty (steps)

Fuel Pump duty (33%/66%/99%)

PowerSteering (on/off)

Air Conditioning Switch (on/off)

Radiator Fan1 (on/off)

Radiator Fan 2 (on/off)

Knock Sensor (on/off)

Air Conditioning Relay (on/off)

Extra Items available for Auto transmission only are:

Neutral Selected (on/off)

Items only available for display on the STI ver 7 are:

Intake temp (in Fahrenheit or Centigrade)

Idle Speed Controller duty (%)

Fuel Pump relay (on/off)

O2 sensor 1 (volts)

O2 sensor 2 (volts)



These listings (as well as those for the MDM-100) are available on the techtom site at:

http://www.excite.co.jp/world/url/body?wb_url=http://www.techtom.co.jp/indS.htm&wb_lp=JAEN&wb_dis=2

(machine translation)

Comments:

The LCD is large and easily legible with contrast and brightness adjustments. Moving between the display items is intuitive and very quick to select - general usability of the unit is simple and fast to learn. Any combination of items can be displayed - two at a time - on separate lines of the display - this allows for contrasting of related readouts (e.g. boost versus rpm and WGC versus RPM).

Speed, RPM, boost and WGC activity are displayed in realtime - this results in rapidly changing readings (sampled 10 times/sec) - thus this display is not an alternative for more steady needle based gauges - though meaningful readings are still possible

Speed display - NB if you have UK SVA converted car then mph will only be displayed correctly using the 'km/h' reading as the pulses from the electronic speedo are converted via a 'black box' for the sva.

Fitting of unit:

The unit plugs in to the Subaru Select Monitor Diagnostic socket under the driver's side dash - it requires no additional power supply. The unit then switches on/off with the vehicle ignition.

As the display can be potentially distracting , it is probably not advisable to mount it in the direct line of view of the driver - its size is roughly 1x DIN with a cable emerging to the right (2 m in length) - thus it may be possible to incorporate into a hi-fi slot - though the LCD is not clearly visible from above and the display does not tilt upwards to improve legibility.

Routing of the cable behind the dash panels is strongly advised to prevent the cable dangling into the driver's foot area - for safety reasons, this is essential before driving the car with the unit plugged-in.

AL-100 alarm unit;

This an optional addition to the MDM-100 series and is a small warning device with buzzer and large red LED. It works with the MDM-100 to give an audible/visible alert to one of a selectable list of the ECU functions - these are:

SPEED

RPM

Coolant Temperature

AFM voltage

the level above/below the warning sounds is selectable as well as which reading is being monitored (only 1 at a time)

Primary usage would be as a 'shift light' to warn of exceeding an RPM 'redline' or as a reminder of local speed limits - additionally critical engine overheating or AFM failure (e.g voltage below 1.2V) can be reported.

Comments on AL-100:

The procedure to set up and change the settings on the MDM-100S2 requires a lengthy code to be inputted and a multi-step key sequence to be entered to select the warning + threshhold - this takes some time to perform.

The list of items that can produce alerts is limited and diappointingly excludes Knock sensor activity amongst other key engine sensors.

Unlike the MDM-100 display unit, the alarm unit requires its own hard-wired 12V supply as well as being connected to the cable emerging from the MDM-100's connector into the diagnostic socket - this limits its siting to on/around the drivers dash area (probably by the A-Pillar).

Availability

My evaluation unit was purchased from Power Engineering - who will be acting as agent for techtom in the UK. (Techtom do not currently sell direct to individuals in the UK). Power Engineering will be able to answer any questions regarding cost, availability and support facilities for these units (I have no connection with them personally).Tel: (+44) 01895 255699,Fax: (+44) 01895 850007

www.powerengineering.co.uk




Paul W

RaymondH

Thanks guys. I don't know how I missed your post, Paul, it's long enough! This sounds like a useful gadget, and it won't be long till Christmas...........

Raymond.