When it comes to chassis dynamometers, the roll assembly hardware can maintain high functionality for years. In fact, a wave of innovation in the 1980s led to many installations still in operation today. As the old adage goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The catch is you’re likely in the businesses of troubleshooting. OEM dealers and distributors today face more sophisticated troubleshooting challenges than older systems can deliver – and much of it is to do with the instrumentation.
As you assess your system troubleshooting capabilities to meet today’s challenges, here are five key reasons you should consider upgrading your system, and what you can do to address them.
1. Capturing all of your data with a single system
If you are not capturing all of your data with a single data acquisition and control system, consider all of your time spent connecting the various systems and instruments to your vehicle and engine. After each test, this data needs to be manually synchronized and compiled before it can be analyzed and reports generated. Single systems allow a range of data to be captured through a common system to save time and labor.
Of course with a single data acquisition and control system, it’s more than convenience; it’s also capabilities in terms of information channels. Today, the latest instrumentation systems can read more than 350 information channels – and that’s in direct relation to needs being driven by advanced engine developments – allowing your system to read a greater range of data without interruption.
2. Communicating with ECMs
Speaking of evolving engines, can your system communicate with ECMs? All engines being produced today are electronically controlled, period. Each engine contains an electric control module (ECM) – a computerized system – that controls a host of protocols which are typically defined as SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) or ISO (International Organization for Standardization) protocols. Several different types of protocols exist, such as the common automotive language called OBD-II. By upgrading ECM interfacing capabilities with current instrumentation, your system will be able to communicate with ECMs across a broader range of protocols, ultimately enhancing troubleshooting capabilities.
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