First i would like to start out by saying that this is not a Miata specific question. But, 1 you guys are the smartest people i know, 2 it can be relevant to us Miata gays, and 3 i need some more opinions.

I did read THIS THREAD.
Thread is 7 years old(didn't want the ban for a bump), didn't tell me what i really wanted to know, information may not be relevant today, and isn't very specific to my needs.

What I am looking for is recommendations on Data Acquisition system for the boat. The boat in question is my 305ci hydroplane. Race boat. HEI ignition, carbureted. I am not looking for a racepak dash or something like that. The engine doesn't have a charging system, i need to either use an external 12v battery pack or use something that is very low power. The engine runs at WOT for about 10 minutes straight and that's it.

Requirements include but are not limited to, 2 wideband o2 sensors. RPM. And maybe a knock sensor input. All my other gauges are analog. Just oil pressure and water. The innovative system has a dual channel wideband gauge that is sweet(i need to monitor both banks). It also has the pocketlogger. I also looked at AEMs stuff and it's a bit overwhelming. I tried calling today but was on hold for to long and needed to get back to work. I would really prefer to not use a homemade job or a MS since it doesn't need to be that fancy. Just looking to see if anyone is using something that isn't $1500, that is more simple to use, basic, and reasonably priced. What's out there?



Picture for interest.

 

Info is missing... how are you going to use this data? Real time? Post processing/analysis? Are you looking to actively use the data to adjust control system parameters? What data rate do you want/need? Depth of storage? Does your budget include sensors and or interface hardware? Do you have programmimg and or electronics hardware skilz?

 

Damn those are good questions.

 

It's all post analysis. It will not be used to actively control system peramaters, that will all be done manually.

Data rate? Fast I guess. Needs to be enough storage for 10 minutes, switch or trigger activated would be cool. Expandability would be cool.

I have nothing. I'm assuming sensors would need to be compatible, but I don't know. That's why I'm here. I do not have room for an interface. Plus an interface sucks power, and I wouldn't be looking at it anyway. I assumed my laptop would be enough. I do like the idea of the dual channel wideband. I could mount that somewhere if I had to. This falls into expandability. It would be cool to have but it's not critical.

I installed my MS in the Miata and tuned it myself, im fairly confident in my abilities to install and operate a simple data acquisition system.

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Needs a reliable standalone data logger.

I don't use one but have heard recommendations for one like this:

 

I don't understand. Elaborate please.

 

All the datalogging info you need is in this thread.

I was thinking possibly a microsquirt hooked up and an android phone to log with. Not sure how big of a battery would be required to keep it running that full time.

 

Haha I never saw that thread. I love it.

​​​​​I could possibly run a microsquirt off the ignition system battery. It only has to last for about 10 minutes.

 

Shoot DIY an email and they should be able to help you out.

Or pull current motor, install a BP, MKTurbo it and run a MSPNP-Pro.

 

Honestly, I think an MS or something similar really might be your best bet. Think about it this way.... you named 3 totally different sensor types up there somewhere. RPM (counter), 2x O2 (typically voltage with sensor interface), and knock (typically DSP or simillar interface). A generalized data acquisition system would require some form of HW that converts the output of the sensor element to something that can be measured, almost always voltage via ADC. The MS already has all this stuff for you. Plus it has software in place that allows you to get the data out, and configurations in.

 

I had not though about worrying about knock. In that case you would want a MS3. Not sure if you would need the expander board. Only issue is I am not sure how weather proof it is, so you might need to goto a PRO to get that. Talking to DIY is definitely the way forward.