AiM MyChron3 XG Log User Manual
Dear MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG Owner
Your MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG represents the newest generation of Aim
data acquisition systems for car/bike racing that provide the driver with a wide,
easy to use and multifunctional display.
MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG monitors and displays RPM, four analog inputs
(temperatures and pressures for Plus version, temperature, pressures,
potentiometers, Lambda sond for Gold versions), speed, gear number and lap
(split) times. It has a backlight, which can be switched on during night racing, and
a huge internal flash memory (512 kbyte for Plus version and 2 Mbyte for Gold
ones) which guarantees the capacity to record up to 315 laps. The gauge is
equipped with an USB port, used to interface the instrument with a PC. The new
software Race Studio 2 will allow you to easily configure the instrument, to
download data to a PC and to analyse them. Finally, the internal lateral G-force
sensor (standard equipment for Gold CAR versions) or the external gyroscope
(optional equipment for Gold BIKE versions) will allow you the ability to create a
circuit map, in order to correlate your data to your track position.
Our Customer Service is available every day from 9 to 5 and at most all the major
races throughout the country to provide you with personal service. If you have any
questions, need help, or want to give us feedback, please call us or visit our
website www.aim-sportline.com
.
Thank you for your MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG purchase.
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Table of contents
ETTING STARTED WITH MYCHRON 3 PLUS/GOLD/GOLD
G
HRON 3 PLUS/GOLD/GOLD XG AND ITS PARTS
MYC
XG.............................................4
.............................................................5
The Display...................................................................................................................6
The Keyboard................................................................................................................7
The alarm led and the gear display ..............................................................................8
The Speed sensor for CAR installations........................................................................9
The Speed sensor for BIKE installations ....................................................................10
The Temperature sensors............................................................................................10
The LAP receiver ........................................................................................................11
The LAP transmitter (Beacon) ....................................................................................12
OW TO INSTALL MYCHRON 3 PLUS/GOLD/GOLD
H
XG.......................................................14
Installing MyChron 3 Gold XG...................................................................................14
Installing the H2O thermocouple (thermoresistance) .................................................16
Installing the EGT thermocouple................................................................................16
Installing the under-spark thermocouple....................................................................18
Installing the “CAR” speed sensor.............................................................................19
Installing the “BIKE” speed sensor ...........................................................................21
How to power the gauge .............................................................................................21
How to sample the RPM .............................................................................................21
N TRACK
O
...........................................................................................................................22
Configuration functions ..............................................................................................22
Utility functions ..........................................................................................................37
Maintenance ...............................................................................................................42
HRON 3 PLUS/GOLD/GOLD XG AND THE COMPUTER
MYC
..................................................44
Software installation...................................................................................................45
Installing the USB drivers...........................................................................................48
USB drivers troubleshooting.......................................................................................52
ONFIGURATION VIA SOFTWARE
C
........................................................................................56
Creating a new configuration .....................................................................................57
Channels .....................................................................................................................60
Customize sensor ........................................................................................................62
Channels configuration...............................................................................................64
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Transmitting the configuration ...................................................................................67
Sensors calibration (Gold/Gold XG versions only) ....................................................67
Gear sensor calibration..............................................................................................69
Online visualization ....................................................................................................70
OW TO DOWNLOAD A TEST
H
Downloading a test .....................................................................................................72
Inserting the test in a database...................................................................................74
OW TO USE RACE STUDIO ANALYSIS
H
How to load a test.......................................................................................................78
How to plot a channel.................................................................................................81
How to create your track map (Gold/Gold XG versions only)....................................83
Track map creation troubleshooting...........................................................................86
HRON 3 PLUS/GOLD/GOLD XG QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
MYC
Configuration via keyboard ........................................................................................87
How to use MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG...............................................................90
Configuration via software .........................................................................................90
...............................................................................................72
................................................................................77
..........................................87
3
Getting Started with MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG
Aim has developed and tested your MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG to provide
precise and accurate results.
Here are the parts of your system:
• MyChron 3 Plus/Gold Display Unit. MyChron 3 Gold XG display unit and
Junction box.
• Gear tooth speed sensor (CAR installations) or magnetoresistive speed
sensor (BIKE installations).
• Temperature sensor: you may choose among Water thermocouple, Water
thermoresistance, Exhaust Gas Sensor or Under-spark thermocouple.
• Standard harness (available, on request, as specifications).
• RPM cable (only for MyChron 3 Gold XG).
• USB data download cable and Race Studio 2 CD-ROM.
Optional accessories:
• M5 inline fitting for water thermocouple/thermoresistance.
• External gyroscope for MyChron 3 Gold (BIKE installations).
• Oil/fuel pressure sensor.
• Linear and angular potentiometers (Gold versions only).
• Sensors’ extension cables.
• Optic lap receiver and transmitter.
4
MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG and its parts
Before installing MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG, please read carefully these
installation instructions.
It is very important that your MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG is correctly
installed to capture consistent and accurate data. Incorrect installation may
result in system malfunction.
In the following drawing it is represented your MyChron 3 Gold display unit: in
the middle of the picture it is visible the wide display, in the lower part there is the
keyboard, on the left and on the right there are 4 coloured alarm led (labelled from
AL.1 to AL4) and, in the upper part, you can find the gear number display and 10
fully configurable RPM led.
In the following pages it will be described the different parts of MyChron 3
Plus/Gold/Gold XG system.
5
Speed measure
unit
Channels #2 and
#4
Temperature
measure unit
The Display
Low battery
warning
Night Vision
Configurable
display: RPM,
speed, battery
voltage
Channels #1 and
#3
Lap (split) time
The wide display with backlight shows RPM (graphical bar), temperature and
pressure analog inputs, test and lap number and, when the vehicle passes in front
of the beacon, it shows the Lap Time (or Split Time). It is also possible to
configure a second display page (using button VIEW) in order to see the RPM
digital value (as shown in the previous drawing), the vehicle speed (in km/h or
Mph) or the best lap time. When you are not running it is also possible to see the
battery voltage.
The display also shows some small icons, showing the configured Temperature
unit of measure (Celsius [°C] or Fahrenheit [°F]), the Speed unit of measure (km/h
or Mph), the current displayed measure (P1 → P4 for pressures, T1 → T2 for
temperatures, 1 → 4 for custom sensors) the backlight option and the Low Battery
Warning, that appears when the battery voltage is low.
6
The Keyboard
MENU
<<
>>
The Keyboard is composed of four push-buttons and it is used to configure the
instrument, to recall recorded data and to clear the internal memory.
The four pushbuttons are used for:
MENU/<<
>>
MEM/OK
VIEW
The gauge automatically switches ON/OFF when the user switches on/off the
Used to enter configuration mode and to switch to previous
configuration option; also used to turn on/off backlight during a test.
Used in configuration to switch to next option; also used to switch
between the 4 analog inputs (temperatures and pressures).
Used to confirm a configuration, to retrieve recorded data and to
see the best lap time.
Used to exit configuration mode without saving, or to switch the
display from “digital RPM” value to “battery voltage”, to “best lap
time” or to “vehicle speed”.
USB
MEM
ok
VIEW
quit
car’s (bike’s) electric switchboard.
To run the system in DEMO MODE, while holding down button MENU/<< and >>,
press button VIEW.
In the middle of the keyboard, protected by a plastic cover, it is located the
instrument’s USB port (used to connect the instrument to a PC).
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The alarm led and the gear display
In the following picture it is reported a drawing of MyChron 3 Gold Car display
unit.
• The alarm led are placed on the left and right of the main display: on the
left there are the led 1 and 2 and, on the right, there are the led 3 and 4.
The four led are red colored.
• The RPM led are placed in the display unit upper part: this fully
configurable led turn on two-by-two, advising the driver to shift gear. The
4 external led (2 on the left and 2 on the right) are green colored, the 2
middle ones are orange colored and the 4 remaining ones are red
colored.
• The Gear display is placed in the middle of the RPM led. This digital
display shows the current gear number; the instrument is able to display
up to 9 gears.
8
The Speed sensor for CAR installations
MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG is equipped with a speed sensor, which allows
the pilot to measure vehicle’s speed.
The wheel speed sensor for gear tooth belongs to the “non contact” devices and it
needs a ferrous metal trigger to pass the sensor face.
The instrument’s measure range is included between 0.5 and 2 mm: the optimum
sensing distance is 1 mm.
Optimum sensor performance is dependent on the following variables, which
must be considered in combination: trigger material, geometry and speed, sensor
trigger gap, magnetic material in close proximity. Please refer to the “Installing the
CAR speed sensor” paragraph for further information.
The speed sensor is supplied with an 80 mm long cable.
In the following drawing you can see the gear tooth speed sensor side view (on
the left) and a 3D view (on the right).
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The Speed sensor for BIKE installations
The wheel speed sensor for bike installations belongs to the “magnetoresistive –
non contact” devices and it needs a magnetic metal trigger to pass the sensor
face.
The magnetoresistive speed sensor is a high sensing distance instrument: its
measure range goes from 8 to 15 mm and the optimum sensing distance is
10 mm.
Please refer to the “Installing the BIKE speed sensor” paragraph for further
information.
The speed sensor is supplied with a 1700 mm long cable.
In the following drawing you can see the bike speed sensor and, on the right, the
magnetic trigger (supplied together with the sensor).
The Temperature sensors
MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG supports up to 4 temperature sensors. There are
4 types of temperature sensors that are available for selection or subsequent
purchase:
O - Water thermocouple or thermoresistance: M5 type.
1. H
2
2. EGT - Exhaust gas thermocouple.
3. CHT - Cylinder head thermocouple.
10
1
2
3
All temperature sensors are supplied with a 0.25 m long connection cable.
Thermocouple or thermoresistance extension cables are available with lengths
included between 0.5 and 2 m and, on request, as specified dimensions.
The LAP receiver
The infrared lap receiver is used to recognise a signal, called “lap marker”,
emitted from an infrared transmitter (Beacon).
The Infrared receiver has to “see” the
transmitter placed on the trackside, so
remember to install it with the receiver
eye (the grey point in the photo on the
left) pointed to the beacon transmitter.
11
The LAP transmitter (Beacon)
The optical Beacon Transmitter has to be placed on the trackside to mark laps.
Ensure the infrared receiver eye faces the side of the track where the Beacon
has been placed, otherwise the system will not record lap time.
The Beacon transmitter is powered using 8 AA batteries or an external 12V power
cable. If you are using 8 AA batteries, unscrew the back cover of the Beacon
transmitter and place the battery pack into the transmitter casing.
The transmitter has two operating modes: Low power and High power. The Low
Power Mode has to be used when the track is less than 10 meters wide, while
the High Power mode has to be used when the track is wider than 10 meters.
To activate the High/Low Power function, please open the Beacon transmitter
with a corkscrew and place the clip (located directly below where the battery
pack is attached to the beacon transmitter board) either over one of the two
connectors (for low power mode) or over the two connectors (for high power
mode).
12
When the Beacon transmitter operates in high power mode, both the power led
lights will light up when the transmitter is turned on.
Please, remember that, in High Power Mode, the transmitter has to be
powered by an external 12 Volts battery.
13
How to install MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG
Now you can start installing your MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG on your
car/bike.
It is recommended to follow these instructions in order to preserve your
instrument and to capture consistent and accurate data.
We remind you that your MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG is not equipped with
internal batteries, and so it needs to be powered by an external power source (the
car / bike battery).
The first installation step consists in mounting the Gauge in your car’s
(motorbike’s) cockpit. It is recommended to choose a place where the instrument
will not be in contact with oil or fuel, make sure that the gauge is not installed too
close to heat sources and protect the instrument from vibrations.
In order to correctly measure the lateral g-force using the internal accelerometer
(MyChron 3 Gold only), it is suggested to install the gauge with the display
perpendicular to the vehicle’s speed.
Installing MyChron 3 Gold XG
Your MyChron 3 Gold XG is composed of two separate objects (the display unit
and the Junction box) connected by a pig-tail cable.
It is recommended to choose a place where both the display unit and the Junction
box are not in contact with oil or fuel, make sure that the gauge is not installed too
close to heat sources and protect the instrument from vibrations.
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In particular, pay attention when installing the Junction box:
•
Avoid rigid connections between the Junction box and the chassis. It is
suggested to use anti-vibration mountings (Silent Blocks).
•
We remind you that your MyChron 3 Gold XG is not equipped with
internal batteries, and so it needs to be powered by an external power
source (i.e. the car battery).
•
In order to correctly measure the lateral g-force using the lateral
accelerometer (mounted inside the Junction box), it is suggested to install
the gauge with the Junction box’s front panel perpendicular to the car’s
speed, as shown in the following image.
Internal lateral accelerometer
CH1
CH3
CH2
CH4
Power IN
Speed
RPM
Beacon
GEAR
Speed
direction
Junction
Lateral
accelerometer
Box
15
Installing the H2O thermocouple (thermoresistance)
The H
O thermocouple and the thermoresistance can be installed in the inline
2
water fitting (sold separately).
In the following drawing it is represented how to correctly install the water
thermocouple (thermoresistance) for the M5 type.
The water
thermocouple
SEZ A - A
A A
Water thermocouple
must be
placed here
Junction
must be
hanged here
with two
wiring wraps
Installing the EGT thermocouple
The Exhaust Gas Thermocouple (EGT) should be positioned inside the exhaust
header pipe at a distance of 150 mm (5.9 inches) from the exhaust port.
16
In the following drawing it is represented a correct installation of the EGT
thermocouple.
It is recommended that the probe be inserted between 25% and 50% inside the
exhaust gas header.
150 mm
To install the EGT thermocouple, please follow these instructions:
1. Make a 5 mm (0.2 inches) hole inside the exhaust header;
2. Weld the little nut to the exhaust header in the place where the hole has
been drilled;
17
3. Connect the remaining part of the thermocouple and fix it to the exhaust
header by screwing it.
1 2
Weld
3
Installing the under-spark thermocouple
When using a Cylinder Head Thermocouple (CHT) sensor, always remove the
spark plug washer before inserting the spark plug into the sensor.
When tightening and loosening the spark plug, minimise movement of the sensor
to avoid damage.
18
y
In the following drawing it is represented the correct installation of the under-spark
thermocouple.
CHT thermocouple
Spark
linder head
C
Installing the “CAR” speed sensor
The wheel speed sensor for phonic wheel belongs to the “non contact” devices
and it needs a ferrous metal trigger to pass the sensor face.
When mounting the sensor, please firmly install it on a self-made iron bracket and
make sure that the distance between the sensor and the phonic wheel is included
between 0.5 and 2 mm (1 mm is the optimum value). Once the sensor has been
installed, please plug the sensor’s Binder connector in your MyChron 3
Plus/Gold/Gold XG.
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In the following drawing it is reported the speed sensor installation.
In the following table it is reported a short description of the minimum values for
the trigger dimensions A, B, C and D required for a correct sensor’s working.
Description Value (Minimum)
Tooth height (A) 5.06 mm
Tooth width (B) 2.54 mm
Tooth spacing (C) 10.16 mm
Thickness (D) 6.35 mm
In short, optimum sensor performance is dependent on the following variables,
which must be considered in combination: trigger material, geometry and speed,
sensor trigger gap, magnetic material in close proximity.
20
Installing the “BIKE” speed sensor
The wheel speed sensor for bike installations belongs to the “magnetoresistive –
non contact” devices and it needs a magnetic trigger to pass the sensor face.
When mounting the sensor, please firmly install it on a self-made iron bracket and
make sure that the distance between the sensor and the magnetic trigger is
included between 15 and 8 mm (10 mm is the optimum value). Once the sensor
has been installed, please plug the sensor’s Binder connector in your MyChron 3
Gold.
How to power the gauge
The gauge must be powered by an external 9-15 VDC power source. Do not
exceed these limits.
Connect the red wire to the battery’s positive pole (+) and the black one to the
negative pole (-).
How to sample the RPM
The RPM signal may be sampled either from the ECU or from the coil.
• • The RPM signal sampled from the ECU is a square wave signal (from 8
up to 50 V);
The RPM signal sampled from the coil is a high voltage RPM input (from
150 to 400 V) and must not be connected on the “RPM from ECU” input
(this event may seriously damage the gauge).
It is also reminded to connect either the RPM signal from the coil or the
RPM signal from the ECU, NOT both (this event creates shortcuts).
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On track
As you power on your MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG, some information is
displayed: here they are described in the same order as they appear:
AIM 1_xy
1.
MYC 3 PLUS/GOLD/GOLD XG CAR/BIKE
2.
Firmware version.
Instrument name.
Configuration functions
Before getting started, please configure your gauge in order to get correct
data from your system.
Enter CONFIGURATION MODE (push MENU/<< button) to set the parameters.
Buttons MENU/<< (back to previous option) and >> (forward to next option) are
used to scroll through the configuration menu.
To exit CONFIGURATION MODE and return to MAIN DISPLAY MODE, press
button VIEW.
The parameters you can set in CONFIGURATION MODE are here above
explained in the same order they appear by clicking the MENU/<< button.
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Night Vision
Clear test data
MyChron 3 Plus/Gold/Gold XG display can be set to
backlight display so that it is visible during night racing.
To set the Night Vision ON or OFF, press button MEM/OK
until you see
NIGHT VISION ON/OFF
and then push button MEM/OK. To return to main display
mode press button VIEW. When the Night Vision option is
activated, a light globe will be displayed in the display’s top
right corner.
To activate Night Vision mode during a test, it is enough to
press button MENU/<<.
The backlight setting is stored by the logger: each time the
logger is switched on, the setting used before switching off
the gauge is automatically restored
The “Clear test data” option clears the data stored in system’s
memory.
To run this function, after having entered the
CONFIGURATION MODE, push MENU/<< until you see
CLEAR TEST DATA
Then press button MEM/OK twice to erase data or press
VIEW to quit.
23
Beacon
obscuring
time and
split’s number
These 2 functions are fundamental in order to acquire the
correct lap and split time.
The first function is used to set the Beacon’s obscuring time,
which is a time period during which the optic receiver, after
having acquired the lap marker, is “blind” and can’t detect
other lap markers.
The second function, instead, allows the user to set the track’s
split number. In fact, it is possible that a circuit is equipped
with more than one Beacon transmitter along the track:
additional transmitters than the first one installed on the
straight line give “split time”.
In the following paragraph, it is reported three examples of
obscuring time/split’s number configurations.
Example 1) The track is equipped with only one lap transmitter
Start/Finish
Lap time 1’ 25”
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• In this case you cannot acquire split times because the track is not
equipped with additional lap transmitters. It is recommended to set the
following values:
o Split’s number = 0;
o Beacon obscuring time: please set a time lower than your best
lap time. In this example, the best lap time is 1’ 25”: you should
set, for instance, 1’ 10”.
Example 2) The track is equipped with more than one lap transmitter but
you do not wish to capture split times
Intermediate 2:
Time 50”
Intermediate 1:
Time 30”
Start/Finish
Lap time 1’ 25”
• As the track is equipped with more than one transmitter and you do not
wish to capture split times, please set the following parameters:
o Split’s number = 0;
o Beacon obscuring time: please set a time lower than your best
lap time and greater than the time elapsed at the last
25
intermediate before the finish line. In this example, you should
set a value included between 50” and 1’ 25”.
Example 3) The track is equipped with more than one lap transmitter and
you wish to capture split times
Intermediate 2:
Time 50”
Intermediate 1:
Time 30”
Start/Finish
Lap time 1’ 25”
• As the track is equipped with more than one transmitter and you wish to
capture split times, please set the following parameters:
o Split’s number = total number of lap transmitters installed on the
track excluded the one installed on the finish line. In this
example, set 2 split’s number.
o Beacon obscuring time: the obscuring time must be lower than
the minimum split time. In this example, as the minimum split
time elapsed is the one from the first intermediate to the second
one (split time 20”), please set the beacon obscuring time to 15”.
26
To set the split’s number, after having entered the
CONFIGURATION MODE, push MENU/<< until you see
NUMBER OF SPLITS
Then push MEM/OK to enter EDIT MODE: use button
MENU/<< to change numbers and button >> to change digit.
The blinking number identifies the digit that can be edited.
Press button MEM/OK to save the changes or button VIEW to
discard the changes.
To set the Beacon obscuring time, after having entered the
CONFIGURATION MODE, push MENU/<< until you see
Obscuring time
Now push MEM/OK to enter EDIT MODE, then press button
MENU/<< until the correct number of splits appears on the
display’s lower right corner. The obscuring time can be set up
to a maximum value of 100 seconds.
Press button MEM/OK to save the changes or button VIEW to
Distance and
total time
discard the change
This function shows the total instrument working time (in hours
and minutes) and the distance covered by the vehicle (in km
or in miles) during a test.
To run this function press button MENU/<< until you see
TOTAL RUNNING
27
To delete the total working time and the distance covered by
the vehicle, please press twice button MEM/OK; press VIEW,
instead, if you do not wish to delete these information.
It is reminded that this function computes only time and
distance corresponding to a single test: if you wish to know
the total distance covered by the vehicle, please run function
“Odometer”.
Odometer
Gears
calibration
This function computes the total distance covered by the
vehicle during all the tests made.
To run this function press button MENU/<< till you see
ODOMETER
Unlike the previous function, this parameter cannot be erased.
Your gauge is able both to detect the engaged gear by using
an on-board sensor (for those vehicles equipped with a sensor
installed inside the gearbox) or by calculating them (using an
algorithm based on engine’s RPM and Speed). If no sensor is
installed and the driver does not wish to see the gear number
on the display, the gauge allows the user to disable the gear
channel.
To run this function press button MENU/<< until you see
GEAR CALIBRATION
Press button NEXT/MEM to activate one of the gears
calibration functions here above described:
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