Advertisement
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Home Who's Online Today's Posts HP Calculator CompD Gift Shop Mark Forums Read
Go Back   Competition Diesel.Com - Bringing The BEST Together > Tech Area- Dodge > Dodge Tech > 98-02 2nd Gen.
Register Members List Timeslips EFI Live Library Invite Your Friends FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 01-29-2019, 03:21 PM   #1
zachu812
 
zachu812's Avatar

Name: zachu812
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2016
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 419
VP44 Standalone ECU Project

Title says it all, I've had this idea for years but haven't had the time and resources to start on anything until recently. Go figure it's after I ppumped the truck, now it's more about seeing what these pumps are capable of and learning something along the way. I'm an electrical engineer by trade so I've got a good start on the electronics portion of things but my software skills are pretty rusty, gonna have a lot to figure out there. I'm open to ideas when I get to that point.

This all started when I took a VP44 apart a few months back and came to the conclusion that the pump itself is capable of moving a decent amount of fuel, the biggest problem it seems is the timing piston galling and locking up. Once this happens the PSG gets all confused and starts doing weird stuff then people blame it on the electronics. I've got some ideas to fix the timing piston problem, or at least to help it live, but that can wait until I get a pump running on a truck. I want to set the code up so the pump still runs fine with static timing, none of that dead pedal crap.

Pump_disassembled.jpg

My plan to start is making an Arduino Due based standalone ECU that only references the internal pump position sensor and fires the fuel solenoid. Timing, map based fueling, and all that can wait until I've got something running. I started by pinning out the pump sensor, it has a ground, 5V supply from the PSG, and two outputs. I was hoping for a nice 0-5V logic level signal when I spin the pump but wasn't that lucky. The output almost looks like something from a variable reluctance sensor with some DC offset but the voltage doesn't seem to change with speed. At first I thought it was a differential signal but I think there's actually 2 sensors offset slightly. You can see each sensor output on the blue and yellow lines in the scope plot below, the red line is what happens when the wires are connected together. The higher points on the sensor outputs are actually dips on the pumps internal tone wheel, there are 6 of these evenly spaced so the plan is to use these as reference points to time the injection events.

sensor_output.jpg

Next step is to turn whatever the pump sensor is putting out into a usable 0-5V signal. I put together a circuit simulation with a couple op-amps and it seems to do exactly what I'm looking for. The red trace is a simulation of whats coming out of the sensor, green trace is after I remove the offset, and the blue trace is the 0-5V signal I'll be able to feed into the Arduino. Getting these results on an actual circuit might be another story but it's doable, I'll get started on that when I'm back from this business trip next week.

schematic.JPG
__________________
1995 RCLB 4x4: H-pump, 5x.012s, HX35
2001 RCLB 4x4: H-pump, 6x.013s, S472/S488
EdzGarage, Matt's Diesel Supply, HTS Transmissions
 
Old 01-29-2019, 03:56 PM   #2
jasonc

Name: jasonc
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Nov 2009
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 4,395
Very interesting.
 
Old 01-29-2019, 04:04 PM   #3
J-Pipes
 
J-Pipes's Avatar

Name: J-Pipes
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Ohio
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 4,560
Not going to lie, I understand about zero of that, but it's cool to see someone taking a fresh look at the VP44! Watching the progress.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
__________________
2000 Dodge ext cab short bed, 6spd.
 
Old 01-29-2019, 04:22 PM   #4
Mark Nixon
 
Mark Nixon's Avatar

Name: Mark Nixon
Title: No Savior among the flesh
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Brownville, Nebraska
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 8,676
Thing is, the electronics on the VP44 engine ARE, in fact, junk.
That argument got put to bed many years ago, IMO.

The VP44 is just a VE with an electronic befuddler attached.

Now that I have lashed out at a thing I feel is problematic, I will say that if someone can look at the VP44 and create a whole new way to run it successfully, I'm all for it, as the pumps do have a lot of potential.

Right now, though, if people ask me for replacement ECMs, I usually just look at them and shake my head.
Many of those trucks have died because the electronics truly ARE...junk.

Mark.
__________________
If you or I did business like the PEOPLE in government do business, we'd be put in jail. Government is coercive.
Anarchy: The state of existence where there are no masters & no slaves. Therefore, Anarchy means the ABSENCE OF SLAVERY, or, in other words, FREEDOM.
 
Old 01-29-2019, 09:44 PM   #5
wwentzler
 
wwentzler's Avatar

Name: wwentzler
Title: Diesel Enthusiast
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jan 2017
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 152
Didnt know you were an EE. Sounds neat, my buddy whom I'm fairly certain you know (name starts with an R) had been talking about this about this time last year. I think it's certainly doable, and sounds like you've got a decent start.
 
Old 01-29-2019, 10:11 PM   #6
WUnderwood
 
WUnderwood's Avatar

Name: WUnderwood
Title: CompD Minion
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Texas
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 8,418
Quote:
Originally Posted by J-Pipes View Post
Not going to lie, I understand about zero of that, but it's cool to see someone taking a fresh look at the VP44! Watching the progress.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk


Exactly what I thought as well. Good luck!
__________________
2011 Ford F-150 Lariat 4X4

Click the image to open in full size.

RIP BFD99, jponder, and Forrest Nearing
 
Old 01-29-2019, 10:51 PM   #7
Hdhorton
 
Hdhorton's Avatar

Name: Hdhorton
Title: Too broke to go fast
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pageland sc
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 319
In on this one
__________________
01.5 dodge 2500 qcsb, garmon stage 3 trans, infinite performance 6x.013's, sxe364.5/68/.83, steed manifold, fass titanium, edge drag comp, rad box, arp studs....
 
Old 01-30-2019, 01:43 AM   #8
zachu812
 
zachu812's Avatar

Name: zachu812
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2016
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 419
Quote:
Originally Posted by wwentzler View Post
Didnt know you were an EE. Sounds neat, my buddy whom I'm fairly certain you know (name starts with an R) had been talking about this about this time last year. I think it's certainly doable, and sounds like you've got a decent start.
Yup I've been talking with him along the way, it was actually a few things he told me that clicked when I pulled the pump apart. He's thought a lot more into the control strategy so I wanna try to get him involved when the time comes.
__________________
1995 RCLB 4x4: H-pump, 5x.012s, HX35
2001 RCLB 4x4: H-pump, 6x.013s, S472/S488
EdzGarage, Matt's Diesel Supply, HTS Transmissions
 
Old 01-30-2019, 06:33 AM   #9
dieselbeef
 
dieselbeef's Avatar

Name: dieselbeef
Title: dick doggin
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: myakka city florida
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 9,840
im in on this..vp life.......
__________________
02 quad cab 4x4 aluminum flatbed 63/68/14 hrvp INJ by weston 4.10 gorend/suncoast method race

01 2500 4x4 quad cab all stock/drag comp

07.5 3500 4x4 dually 4 dr 6.7 d&j extreme, fleece cheetah, gorend triple, cat filters,

rip wrongway...
 
Old 01-30-2019, 07:44 AM   #10
99GreenCummins
 
99GreenCummins's Avatar

Name: 99GreenCummins
Title: That guy....
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Marietta, Ohio
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 2,387
You beat me to the punch! This was my next winter plans. I believe that it will be a complete waste of money and a bunch of wasted parts because of common rail technology. I feel like it is a forgotten technology that has a chance. I love my VP and would love to compete in 2.5 class.
__________________
Todd
Some farm trucks
2014 Ram 3500 19.5s, aisin
1999 Ram 2500,6 spd, typical mods
 
Old 01-30-2019, 08:07 AM   #11
wwentzler
 
wwentzler's Avatar

Name: wwentzler
Title: Diesel Enthusiast
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jan 2017
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 152
As far as the circuit it looks good, (I hate ltspice but its useful af). If you use semi decent quality components I would imagine the circuit will operate close enough to at least get a rough start on making it work.
 
Old 01-30-2019, 08:40 AM   #12
weazel
 
weazel's Avatar

Name: weazel
Title: 5th gear killer
Status: Not Here
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Mason, TX
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 2,252
Hmmm interesting... in to see how this goes
__________________
88 Chevy Half Ton/ LB7 conversion
08 Chevy 3500HD, efi, 5” exhaust
 
Old 01-30-2019, 09:09 AM   #13
thatguy69
 
thatguy69's Avatar

Name: thatguy69
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Mansfield Ohio
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 2,023
Gotta say my vp has treated me well,i know I'm one of the few. Be interested to see what you come up with
__________________
1999 Compound 24v Rust Rocket
2008 F350 P24v/Allison
 
Old 01-30-2019, 01:57 PM   #14
paulb
 
paulb's Avatar

Name: paulb
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Klamath Falls, OR
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 1,673
I like the thought of a replacement PSG. I've been custom tuning the ECM for awhile now, and the PSG always comes up as a road block. There have been flaws (and improvements) to the VP44, but there is a reason so many people hang onto this trucks. My 02 has 310,000 miles and over 1600 1/4 mile passes and the bottom end has never been apart.

If there is anything I can help with the project let me know.

Paul
__________________
02 4x4 Auto Mach 6+'s, Drag Comp,Source Automotive Twins, Ultimate Transmission
05 2500 4x4 Auto 3.73 BBI 4's, Smarty Touch, Source Automotive Twins, F1 springs and Cam, Opie's bypass system, Mitusa, PPE Dual Fueler, Ultimate Transmission, Opie shafts,Isspro gauges
 
Old 01-30-2019, 02:40 PM   #15
zachu812
 
zachu812's Avatar

Name: zachu812
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2016
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 419
Quote:
Originally Posted by wwentzler View Post
As far as the circuit it looks good, (I hate ltspice but its useful af). If you use semi decent quality components I would imagine the circuit will operate close enough to at least get a rough start on making it work.
The program is kind of a pain but it's a good starting point. I did some more thinking and got a better handle of what the circuit is actually doing, it's just a comparator that pulls the output to VCC+ or VCC- based on the inputs relation to the reference voltage. Knowing that I was able to get rid of the other 2 parts of the circuit and just change the voltage divider to set reference in the middle of the sensors waveform.

schematic_2.JPG

Quote:
Originally Posted by paulb View Post
I like the thought of a replacement PSG. I've been custom tuning the ECM for awhile now, and the PSG always comes up as a road block. There have been flaws (and improvements) to the VP44, but there is a reason so many people hang onto this trucks. My 02 has 310,000 miles and over 1600 1/4 mile passes and the bottom end has never been apart.

If there is anything I can help with the project let me know.

Paul
What do you use tune the ECM on these trucks? It's a shame the PSG doesn't allow more adjustment, it really is a pretty neat module. I'm sure the information is sitting in a file cabinet somewhere.

Thanks for the offer, I might have some questions for you when it comes time to write the software.
__________________
1995 RCLB 4x4: H-pump, 5x.012s, HX35
2001 RCLB 4x4: H-pump, 6x.013s, S472/S488
EdzGarage, Matt's Diesel Supply, HTS Transmissions
 
Old 01-30-2019, 03:28 PM   #16
joefarmer
 
joefarmer's Avatar

Name: joefarmer
Title: MR. Supreme Overlord
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ohio
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 6,137
How fast were you spinning the pump to get the signal in the scope? 240rpm? Depending on the sensor it wasn't fast enough to get a voltage difference.

Have you thought of using an IC to handle the sensor to uC? There's a few out there depending on the sensor involved that are cheaper than individual components.
__________________
brandon'); DROP TABLE Users;--
1948 Dodge 1.5t 12v RH swap | 99 F250 12v RE test rkt | 11 X5 'no soup' | 08 F250 CR RE swap | 05 2500 CR 68 standalone
firepunk.com
 
Old 01-30-2019, 08:16 PM   #17
AKDieseL
 
AKDieseL's Avatar

Name: AKDieseL
Title: Rookie
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Talkeetna, Alaska
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 29
I'm headed towards P-Pump as well, but I'm gonna rubber neck the hell out of this thread. Not understanding a lot of the technical stuff, but I've always been hungry for knowledge on pretty much anything. And when it comes to Diesels, especially 2nd Gen Cummins, i can never get my fill.
__________________
2001 Dodge 2500 Cummins NV4500HD, RV275 Injectors, Raptor 150, Fuel Sump, Napa Filter Mount with Caterpillar 1R-0749 Fuel Filter, 1/2" Fuel Lines from Sump to Inj. Pump, ISSPRO Gauges: Mech. Fuel Press. (between Filter and Inj. Pump), Pyro. and Boost
 
Old 01-30-2019, 09:24 PM   #18
PRINCETON_JAKE

Name: PRINCETON_JAKE
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Princeton Minnesota
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 1,125
What is a psg? I don’t know much about the vp44 but isn’t it a mechanical pump with electric over mechanical timing? It’s not like you can adjust pressure or pulse electronically, and your stuck with mechanical injectors.
__________________
silver 2006 ram 2500 4x4, crew cab short box, 48RE auto with "stuff" done, 5.9 with more "stuff" done
 
Old 01-31-2019, 04:36 AM   #19
zachu812
 
zachu812's Avatar

Name: zachu812
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2016
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 419
Quote:
Originally Posted by joefarmer View Post
How fast were you spinning the pump to get the signal in the scope? 240rpm? Depending on the sensor it wasn't fast enough to get a voltage difference.

Have you thought of using an IC to handle the sensor to uC? There's a few out there depending on the sensor involved that are cheaper than individual components.
Yea the pump was spinning a little over 200rpm in that scope capture, I've started turning it about 500 rpm with a drill since then. I don't have any scope captures but I can say that the voltage levels didn't seem to change.

I'd love to have an IC that I can just feed the sensor output into and get a logic level signal out but I'm still trying to figure out exactly what kind of sensor it is. My best current guess is a magneto-resistive sensor and I can't find an IC to read that.

Do you have any ideas on they type of sensor or even something to read it? The sensor has 2 outputs, both are reading around 250mv pk-pk normally and 500mv pk-pk on the larger dips for injection timing. One has a 2.5V offset, the other has a 2.75V offset.

Quote:
Originally Posted by PRINCETON_JAKE View Post
What is a psg? I don’t know much about the vp44 but isn’t it a mechanical pump with electric over mechanical timing? It’s not like you can adjust pressure or pulse electronically, and your stuck with mechanical injectors.
The PSG is the computer that's mounted on the VP44, it controls the injection quantity and injection timing of the pump. The PSG receives a generic fuel and timing request from the Cummins ECU and controls both solenoids accordingly. It can't adjust injection pressure but it does adjust the pulse electronically. Unfortunately the PSG cannot be tuned freely so we don't have full control over fuel and timing.
__________________
1995 RCLB 4x4: H-pump, 5x.012s, HX35
2001 RCLB 4x4: H-pump, 6x.013s, S472/S488
EdzGarage, Matt's Diesel Supply, HTS Transmissions

Last edited by zachu812; 01-31-2019 at 04:38 AM.
 
Old 01-31-2019, 05:15 AM   #20
PRINCETON_JAKE

Name: PRINCETON_JAKE
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Princeton Minnesota
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 1,125
I can not see how it can adjust pulse electronically when the injector is fired by mechanical/fuel pressure. The only way to adjust pulse on a mechanical injector would be increased pressure to open it sooner and longer, or by providing pressure to it sooner or latter, but from what I see that’s controlled by the rotor/head of the pump which I don’t understand how that would be possible.
__________________
silver 2006 ram 2500 4x4, crew cab short box, 48RE auto with "stuff" done, 5.9 with more "stuff" done
 
Closed Thread

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:08 AM.

 


Powered by vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2006 - 2024, CompetitionDiesel.com
all information found on this site is property of www.competitiondiesel.com