racing data loggers, logging dashes, systems

[wzuber]

I'ma looking to put a data logging/dash on my SE race boat and have begun looking into the 3 main offerings- Racepak, Aim and Aem. Are there any others? What are you guys/teams using and what have you found to be the most reliable, versatile, programmable systems? Water proof would be ideal but it seems "tolerant" is the norm. I don't need a ton of accessories as it's a basic program but would like to have displayed/recorded- rpms, GPS/speed, lap count, oil pressure & temp. water temp., egt. maybe O2 as an option/add-on etc. A track map would/could be nice but not sure how that would work because the water "tracks" would have to be recorded into the system in real time during an initial practice/testing lap to locate the inside buoy line and that doesn't always seem to be available at each race? These systems are way more expensive than I initially thought. Now that that reality adjustment has been made I need to figure out who's system will be best for me from a cost, performance, reliability and tech support standing.
Thanks for any info./insight you all may be able to offer.

 

[Boat 405]

Racepak. Such an easy platform to use and program. The software is also very easy to use to view data. The sensors are endless.

 

[coolchange]

2nd racepak .Throttle and plate position are always entertaining.

 

[ltbaney1]

call Todd at PDS, he was the head of pro systems at Racepak before Holley bought them. He still sells and supports racepak. he still runs all the pro NHRA teams and has an office and warehouse in Rancho Santa Margarita. way better support and delivery than racepak direct. he and 2 of my good friends worked at racepak before they got bought by Holley.

Loggers – Race PDS

racepds.com

 

[DaveH]

Motec.

they make a stand alone logger, as well as a dash display that also logs. You can put whatever sensors you want into the dash, including GPS and it will do track mapping.

they make a 5' color dash that is IP67 rated.

Racepak seems like a good value until you start buying their clumsy daisy chain sensor modules. motec allows you to wire the sensors directly in, eliminating that mess with the racepak system.

I've got a used racepak in great shape I would be happy to sell. PM if interested.

 

[ChrisV]

Motec.

 

[Racey]

Motec, none of the others even compare in their abilities.

Those bulky external AtD modules are the main downside of a racepack, clumsy cumbersome that creates an unnecessary failure point and more stuff to figure out how to hide and mount, that you have to wire extensions onto anyway. And honestly the logging racepak and all the sensors aren't saving you that much money over Motec

For the extra few hundred bucks the Motec offers full color screen vs fixed LCD 7 segment display, direct wire in vs bulky modules, Top of the line i2 analysis software and configuration software. And the motec dashes all have internal maths capabilities that allow you to process your own internal channels on the fly live in a variety of ways.

Also the Motec does output as well as input, not sure that the racepak has any programmable output capability?

 

[DaveH]

Motec, none of the others even compare in their abilities.

Those bulky external AtD modules are the main downside of a racepack, clumsy cumbersome that creates an unnecessary failure point and more stuff to figure out how to hide and mount, that you have to wire extensions onto anyway. And honestly the logging racepak and all the sensors aren't saving you that much money over Motec

For the extra few hundred bucks the Motec offers full color screen vs fixed LCD 7 segment display, direct wire in vs bulky modules, Top of the line i2 analysis software and configuration software. And the motec dashes all have internal maths capabilities that allow you to process your own internal channels on the fly live in a variety of ways.

Also the Motec does output as well as input, not sure that the racepak has any programmable output capability?

post up some pics of the 12" you just programmed.

 

[wallnutz]

Unless something changed in the last couple of weeks, some Motec stuff is hard to get since they were bought out.

 

[ChrisV]

Unless something changed in the last couple of weeks, some Motec stuff is hard to get since they were bought out.

Yeah. We been waiting almost a year for ecus. Bosch recently bought them out.

 

[ChrisV]

Motec screen is the best imo.

 

[DaveH]

Yeah. We been waiting almost a year for ecus. Bosch recently bought them out.

i have been told by Motec production has resumed. although with nearly a year of back-orders to fill, it will still be a couple of months before they catch up.

 

[Racey]

Unless something changed in the last couple of weeks, some Motec stuff is hard to get since they were bought out.

It was pre-Bosch that the supply chain issues hit them. It's actually getting better with the resources Bosch has.

They also have some blowout deals on their older equipment, most likely that includes the older generation LCD logger displays

 

[DaveH]

It was pre-Bosch that the supply chain issues hit them. It's actually getting better with the resources Bosch has.

They also have some blowout deals on their older equipment, most likely that includes the older generation LCD logger displays

the CDL3 is available....the old "blue" dash that started it all. super good deal when you consider it includes logging, input and output capabilities, works with the same I2 analysis software as the newer color dashes. smoking deal for 2k.

 

[Racey]

post up some pics of the 12" you just programmed.

Some pics during development. This is all 100% from scratch drawn and programmed, no templates used.

Video Showing how the trim indicators work:

PXL_20220911_171342534

Watch "PXL_20220911_171342534" on Streamable.

streamable.com

Video showing how an alarm glows that specific gauge, each gauge can glow like this when out of the user set specs, all easily adjustable.

PXL_20220915_202620210

Watch "PXL_20220915_202620210" on Streamable.

streamable.com

 

[Boat 405]

Another reason to use Racepak, is the application its being used for a drag boat, I'm not sure the motec stuff really applies to what he is doing. Most drag boat guys are using the Racepak. You can go to another racers' pit and ask questions if needed. I don't know of any guys running the motec stuff. Not to say there aren't, it's just not that common.
The can bus system to plug in sensors is pretty simple. Not sure how you could make it any easier.

 

[wzuber]

Motec.

they make a stand alone logger, as well as a dash display that also logs. You can put whatever sensors you want into the dash, including GPS and it will do track mapping.

they make a 5' color dash that is IP67 rated.

Racepak seems like a good value until you start buying their clumsy daisy chain sensor modules. motec allows you to wire the sensors directly in, eliminating that mess with the racepak system.

I've got a used racepak in great shape I would be happy to sell. Pm me if interested.

Racepak. Such an easy platform to use and program. The software is also very easy to use to view data. The sensors are endless. View attachment 1167015

Thanks Kjell, nice looking R-float, clean setup. That's a tight and $$$ bundle of cables right there. haha
Ima diggin the carbon fiber work cover. Is that a lenco setup on your bellhousing/driveline?

 

[wzuber]

2nd racepak .Throttle and plate position are always entertaining.

Plate position? As in cav. plate?

 

[wzuber]

call Todd at PDS, he was the head of pro systems at Racepak before Holley bought them. He still sells and supports racepak. he still runs all the pro NHRA teams and has an office and warehouse in Rancho Santa Margarita. way better support and delivery than racepak direct. he and 2 of my good friends worked at racepak before they got bought by Holley.

Loggers – Race PDS

racepds.com

Thanks, I'll give him a call. I ran across the inventors name in an article and searched his name and a RSM addy came up but I figured it was just an old addy since the Co. had been sold. Good to know the original people are still involved and available, local-ish too. I don't have a great deal of faith in Holley any more.

 

[wzuber]

Motec.

they make a stand alone logger, as well as a dash display that also logs. You can put whatever sensors you want into the dash, including GPS and it will do track mapping.

they make a 5' color dash that is IP67 rated.

Racepak seems like a good value until you start buying their clumsy daisy chain sensor modules. motec allows you to wire the sensors directly in, eliminating that mess with the racepak system.

I've got a used racepak in great shape I would be happy to sell. PM if interested.

pm sent. I'll call ya back today, thanks.

 

[wzuber]

Motec, none of the others even compare in their abilities.

Those bulky external AtD modules are the main downside of a racepack, clumsy cumbersome that creates an unnecessary failure point and more stuff to figure out how to hide and mount, that you have to wire extensions onto anyway. And honestly the logging racepak and all the sensors aren't saving you that much money over Motec

For the extra few hundred bucks the Motec offers full color screen vs fixed LCD 7 segment display, direct wire in vs bulky modules, Top of the line i2 analysis software and configuration software. And the motec dashes all have internal maths capabilities that allow you to process your own internal channels on the fly live in a variety of ways.
Also the Motec does output as well as input, not sure that the racepak has any programmable output capability?

Thanks Racey, I'll give them a look. So much to learn here for me.

 

[wzuber]

It was pre-Bosch that the supply chain issues hit them. It's actually getting better with the resources Bosch has.

They also have some blowout deals on their older equipment, most likely that includes the older generation LCD logger displays

blowout deals? That got my attention...haha Since I'm a bit older tech I'm pretty sure my little basic tech circle boat will be fine with it. haha I'll be sure to ask.

 

[wzuber]

Some pics during development. This is all 100% from scratch drawn and programmed, no templates used.

Video Showing how the trim indicators work:

PXL_20220911_171342534

Watch "PXL_20220911_171342534" on Streamable.

streamable.com

Video showing how an alarm glows that specific gauge, each gauge can glow like this when out of the user set specs, all easily adjustable.

PXL_20220915_202620210

Watch "PXL_20220915_202620210" on Streamable.

streamable.com

Nice, very bright and colorful. Really grabs your attention. So the whole screen is completely formattable to however you design it? do they also have basic templates you can work off of, tweak etc? Thanks for posting those vids. Nice work sir.

 

[coolchange]

Plate position? As in cav. plate?

Guess it doesn’t play in a circle boat. But drag boat have run them.
“ I was on the up at 300 feet then the whole run”
“Uh, no you weren’t”

 

[Racey]

blowout deals? That got my attention...haha Since I'm a bit older tech I'm pretty sure my little basic tech circle boat will be fine with it. haha I'll be sure to ask.

PM DaveH hes the resident Motec dealer, or PM me and ill send you his number. The older dashs still have pretty much all of the awesome internal software features, they just don't have the color screen.

And yes the color screen dashs have some good templates for the average user. I went to full extent on these ones i did as they are twin engine and we wanted full gauges of both engines on the dashes together.

 

[ltbaney1]

Thanks, I'll give him a call. I ran across the inventors name in an article and searched his name and a RSM addy came up but I figured it was just an old addy since the Co. had been sold. Good to know the original people are still involved and available, local-ish too. I don't have a great deal of faith in Holley any more.

no problem, Todd was not the owner of racepak, but he ran all of the pro systems and was director of operations. none of the guys who actually worked at racepak stayed on after holley bought them. PDS is his own deal, but he sells and supports racepak.

 

[Terminal Velocity]

Plate position? As in cav. plate?

Yes, it will tell you how much plate your using. Straightaway and in the turns. helps visualize plate vs speed. Will also allow you to see if your plates are sucking down the straight.

 

[Boat 405]

Thanks Kjell, nice looking R-float, clean setup. That's a tight and $$$ bundle of cables right there. haha
Ima diggin the carbon fiber work cover. Is that a lenco setup on your bellhousing/driveline?

Ross from Designer Marine made it years ago when he was working at Lavey Craft. Its a transmission that bolt on the back of the engine. The motor spins at 9200 and the pump spins 26% under that to make a larger impeller usable.