how to change max dwell ini. file in notepad?

For discussing Phil Tobin's TunerStudio MS is the MegaSquirt edition of TunerStudio, a next generation tuning application. It provides the ability to configure and tune all MegaSquirt controllers and is 100% compatible with MegaTune ini files and msq's.

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msefi30
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how to change max dwell ini. file in notepad?

Post by msefi30 »

my setup: 94 honda accord 2.2l 4 cyl.,MS2 v3.0 ,2.866,relay box,msd 6a,dist. VR pickup from TDC rotor,turbo t3/t4,450cc inj.

im trying to config. tunerstudios for the first time and i am uncertain of some things.

*in tunerstudios do i have to change the dwell ini.fil to 25.5? if so how do i do so. i was reading about the notepad.exe but im still uncertain how to change it??

i go to start>programs>acces.>notepad>copy and paste the ini.?> then what?
LT401Vette
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Re: how to change max dwell ini. file in notepad?

Post by LT401Vette »

I would need more specifics about what you need to change about the ini and max dwell.

The ini files and limits are set by the firmware developers, usually with a reason for the max values.

However, if you have some thing specific you know you need to edit in your ini, for TunerStudio, the ini file you need to edit is:
[YourProjectFolder]\projectCfg\mainController.ini

That is the ini that TunerStudio uses for your project. You can open that file and edit it per any instructions you are using.
Phil Tobin
EFI Analytics, helping to simplify EFI with Next Generation tuning software.
http://www.tunerstudio.com/
http://www.efiAnalytics.com/MegaLogViewer/
Android Shadow Dash MS: http://tunerstudio.com/index.php/shadowdashmsmenu
Bernard Fife
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Re: how to change max dwell ini. file in notepad?

Post by Bernard Fife »

msefi30, Phil;

The INI has limits for the coil duty cycle to keep people from burning up their coils, I believe the limit is 8.0 milliseconds.

The MSD 6a ignition box needs a 50% duty cycle, however. To achieve 50% at low rpms, the dwell period has to be lengthened (beyond what would be safe for coil control), and consequently the limits in the INI have to be increased.

So editing the INI is required, and the instructions are in the manual. These instructions apply equally to megasquirt-II.ini and mainController.Iini

This is here: http://www.megamanual.com/ms2/msd6a.htm

Lance.
"Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.” - George Bernard Shaw
msefi30
MegaSquirt Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:06 am
Location: palm coast, FL

Re: how to change max dwell ini. file in notepad?

Post by msefi30 »

Ok I found the ini. File and changed it but yet it keeps saying max coil dur too high must be less then 8.0.. there must be another file somewhere that hasent changed. What do you think I should try now?thanks guys!
msefi30
MegaSquirt Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:06 am
Location: palm coast, FL

Re: how to change max dwell ini. file in notepad?

Post by msefi30 »

Well I searched megasquirt-II.ini files and maincontroller.ini,and I changed all of them to 25.50 but yet everytime I try to burn 25.50 to the max dwell in ign settings it automatically changes it to 8.5?not sure why this is happening?
LT401Vette
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Re: how to change max dwell ini. file in notepad?

Post by LT401Vette »

You sure t was the mainController.ini for the project you were working from?
Also, the project must be loaded after the file is edited.
A short cut to reloading the project is to press CTRL+SHIFT+F10
Phil Tobin
EFI Analytics, helping to simplify EFI with Next Generation tuning software.
http://www.tunerstudio.com/
http://www.efiAnalytics.com/MegaLogViewer/
Android Shadow Dash MS: http://tunerstudio.com/index.php/shadowdashmsmenu
msefi30
MegaSquirt Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:06 am
Location: palm coast, FL

Re: how to change max dwell ini. file in notepad?

Post by msefi30 »

Yes I'm sure ,I checked and reloaded it a many of times today. Been tryin different things all day but yet it still won't let me change the max dwell in the more ign option settings. It saved in the maincontroller.ini settings. Under the more ign. Options should I put use table or fixedtiming? Dwell type? Standard dwell,fixed duty,time after spark,charge at trigger?both max dwell duration and max spark should be at 25.5 correct? Would my trigger angle/offset maybe affecting it,somehow.i have mine set to 16deg? Normally my mfg, reccommends 15 deg .btdc +or- 1 deg.

Im assuming that I have somthing configured wrong somwhere. The way it sits,it wont idle at all but will run with about 25 to 50% throttle.

Normally after changing the ini.file it should accept the 25.5 ms for the max dwell/spark duration under the more ign. Options,correct?

Do I need to change the trigger angle offset in ini, file as well as the ignition settings?

Im willing to try anything at this point and open to all suggestions. Thanks everyone for all your help
msefi30
MegaSquirt Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:06 am
Location: palm coast, FL

Re: how to change max dwell ini. file in notepad?

Post by msefi30 »

Also I noticed that none of the leds on the ms 2 are lighting up under cranking or while the engine was running for the few secs. It had while I held down the throttle. Why might that be?
msefi30
MegaSquirt Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:06 am
Location: palm coast, FL

Re: how to change max dwell ini. file in notepad?

Post by msefi30 »

I just read in a fourm that with ts and ms extra it should be a fixed duty of 50% and that there should be no reason to fiddle with the max dwell? Is this true?if so what would a good cranking dwell be?

My problem could be because I can't use the STANDARD DWELL setting under dwell type while using the msd.this would explain why it won't let me change the max dwell/spark duration. I'm hoping this is the case
LT401Vette
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Re: how to change max dwell ini. file in notepad?

Post by LT401Vette »

Hmm, TS would have nothing to do with the settings needed. It merely sets the values, so what works from a firmware and hardware side will be the same regardless of the tuning software.
The settings are pretty well spelled out on the link Lance posted. But I noticed you said under "More ignition Options", so are you actually running Extra firmware?
Then you should be referencing the Extra Manuals
Phil Tobin
EFI Analytics, helping to simplify EFI with Next Generation tuning software.
http://www.tunerstudio.com/
http://www.efiAnalytics.com/MegaLogViewer/
Android Shadow Dash MS: http://tunerstudio.com/index.php/shadowdashmsmenu
msefi30
MegaSquirt Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:06 am
Location: palm coast, FL

Re: how to change max dwell ini. file in notepad?

Post by msefi30 »

Your totally right,I've been referencing the wrong manual,found the correct settings and I was ableb to get it idling for bout a minute then it died.I uped the ase %/taper and warmup enrichment bout 25% but didn't seem to do a whole lot,then I adjusted the pwm duty table and it started and idle better but still would die out after a min. The idle was very sluggish ,try to adjust the throttlebody set screw because the idle seemed low.I tried to adjust the ve table at idle to see if it would clean up a bit but I'm not sure if I was doing it correctly. I didn't want to go any further with the enrichments until i knew I had everthing right.

This is what really concerns me! My coolant temp seemed alil iffy,so I decided to pull it out and re calibrate it with the multimeter. I entered the new values and I was deff. Way more accurate reading. I start it,it idled better but still was spuddering a bit,it stayed running without me tuning anything. THEN I take my key out the ign. To shut it off.IT WOULDN'T TURN OFF,I panic'd didn't know what to do so I just pulled the coil wire. OMG I about had a heart attack.
I don't understand why it won't shut off.my switched 12v to the relay box is good,ground is good.what the heck did I do wrong ?????? I refuse to start this engine again till I get some insite.
Would it be a good idea to start from scratch since I changed the coolant sensor values? Thanks phil,lance,and matt,you guys r the best!
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