
StreetDyno - A DIY Dynomometer
------------------------------

This is my first real attempt at making something useful for others and not just myself.  My 
expectations are much lower than others, so you will have to be patient for this program
to grow into a well rounded application.

What is it?  It is an "accurate" way of measuring acceleration, which allows the software to
calculate Torque and from torque it can derive HP.  Tapping into some type of pulse signal from 
the engine that RPM can be calculated and recording into a WAVE sound file, you can use time and 
acceleration to get Torque, etc.


DISCLAIMER
----------

This software is provided "as is". In no event shall I, the author, be liable for any 
consequential, special, incidental or indirect damages of any kind arising out of the 
delivery, performance or use of this software. This software has been written with great 
care, but I do not warrant that the software is error free.  You may not attempt to reverse 
compile, modify, translate or disassemble the software in whole or in part.


INSTALLATION
------------

Create a Folder [Directory] off of the root of your C drive, such as Dyno [C:\Dyno], then
Unzip StreetDyno.zip to that directory. You should have the following 6 files:
 
	StrtDyno.EXE -- Win95 EXE [32bit only -- sorry no win3.x]
        09299802.WAV -- 2nd gear "dyno" run of my 93 LX Coupe Mustang
        092998.CFG -- Configuration file for the above run
        UNIVTOOL.OCX -- Component to display wave file during record & playback
        INSTALL.BAT -- Copies OCX's to the WIN95 system directory and registers them
        INSTNT.BAT -- Copies OCX's to the WINNT system directory and registers them
	ReadMe.TXT -- The file you are reading

First, run Install.bat [for Win95] or InstNT.bat [For NT] to register the OCX's.

Execute StrtDyno.EXE and go to the "Preferences" tab and select the directory for the
input and output files [can be same directory].  To do this, browse the directory list
box  below the 2 input fields and select the directory you want then click the button
beside the input box to select that directory, or you can just type it in.  Do the same
for both fields. Don't forget to click the "Save" config file button to save your changes.

Now go to the "Run Options" tab and click the [..] button next to Config file name box
to select the .CFG file for the "dyno" run.  After you have selected the file, hit load
Config file and the parameters will be restored.  Check to make sure that the path for 
the WAV file is correct and if it is then click process and you "should" see the graph 
displayed. 


GETTING STARTED
---------------

If you understand and have a way of recording a "dyno" run, all parameters can be entered/modified
from the programs interface.  The last Config file used is always displayed int the Config file 
filename box, so just hit load to load it.  If you are doing one of your own runs, load mine and
make the changes you need, change the Config file name and hit save.  This will save it as the
name you entered with your specific paramters.


Set your wave recording software to 44kHz 8bit mono and adjust the pot until you have 60-75mV
and that should be adequate.  Set your recording volume on your PC to about 50-60%, you will have
to play with these some, but that should get you in the ballpark.


MAKING A RUN
------------

Get rolling about 2000 rpm in the lowest gear [1st, 2nd] that you can do a full accelleration in 
without spinning your tires.  Record until you reach redline or whatever rpm you wish to run to, 
stop the recorder and do it again going the opposite direction on the same stretch of road.  You 
will want to find the flatest section of road that you can, since I make no allowances for road 
grade and make a run in each direction and then average the 2 runs.  

Gear used will be 1-6 [1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc..]

trigup 

The level to trigger up, a percentage of actual signal peak-to-peak level. Default value is 80 %.   
Use a lower value if you don't trigger reliably, or a higher value if you get false triggers.  

trigdown 

The level to trigger down, same definition as with the up-trigger. Default value is 30 %. 

gatedelay 

An additional delay after a down-trigger. This can help to get rid of spurious triggers after the     
real trigger. You should use as long delay as you can without missing following cycles. Default is 
1.5 milliseconds.  


UPDATES
-------

If you would like to be informed when the Zip file on my web page has been updated, please send
me an email: glover@blkbox.com stating such & I will add you to the distribution list I am 
maintaining. If you just want to let me know how good the program is or how much it "Sucks!"
you can also drop me a line, but be gentle.


HISTORY
-------
0.6.91 - User selectable colors for plotting area & margins
       - Auto or manual graph scaling
       - Moving the mouse cursor over the graph displays RPM, HP and Torque under the current mouse
	 position
       - Display 2 graphs at one time
       - Last config file used is automatically loaded at startup
       - LOTS more still to do!!!


0.6.0  - Input values may be selected as US or Metric on the preferences tab
       - Display of Wave Files under "Make a run" [play only]
       - Input & Output path selectable by user
       - Transmission type & gear ratio edit dialog added
       - Cleaned up alot of [but not all I am sure] application dying due to path not found or
         just without notice
       - Environmental correction is Forced ON, but enter a 1 to "disable", also RWHP calcs only
         for now

       - ***** HELP ***** -- I have no samples from an automatic transmission and desperately
         need some. If someone would try this thing out and give me some runs & configs I would
         greatly appreciate it!!!!


0.5.x  Pretty much released "as is" or how I have been using it. I was hoping to get feedback from
       this first release to the general public -- I have no idea how many people have tried the
       program or what they think! Wish I did.


KNOWN BUGS
----------

Too long to list right now, hell some of them may end up being Features!
