The Aim EVO5 Data Logger System

[rhyary]

In this thread I will be documenting my experiences with AiM's EVO5 system.

The goals of this thread are two:

1. Investigate if advanced data logger is useful for HPDE type events

2. Solicit input from experienced drivers being racers, couches and anyone else.

Challenges can be categorized into three broad areas:

1. The physical equipment
Mounting, cabling, senssor choices etc

2. Software
operation, define channels, what data to collect etc

3. The actual results
what the data means.

I would like to set some ground rules for this thread:

1. No judgment about cost. All cost is public information. There is no need to make comments on what is or isn't expensive or something else is better. This is not about which data logger is the best for the money.

2. No need to tell me I don't need this equipment for HPDE. I know.

3. This is a technical thread. Not an opinion thread.

4. I don't need to be reminded that I over analyze things and "just drive and get a coach". If I want to get a coach, I will.

5. I know I can't control the Internet. Laying some ground rules hopefully will be respected.

6. I most likely continue my HPDE journey at NYST. Keeping the track constant helps with data gathering and analysis

With that introduction please feel to comment your thoughts anyway. I have no intention to sensor anyones feelings.

[rhyary]

Mounting ideas:

The EVO5 is small enough to fit into the arm rest but the harness is stiff and long.

[rhyary]

Placement in the armrest:
hopefully the phone carrier can be gutted to make more room.
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Taken from the passenger side
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[rhyary]

Orientation is software driven, but the closer to the center of the car, the better it is
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[rhyary]

GPS challenges:

The GPS comes with two options: magnetic and and roof mount (bolt through)

I selected the bolt through for permanent install.

Two options that I can see:

1. If the shark fin has already a hole through the carbon fiber roof try using that hole and install the GPS pod just behind it. It fits between the glass and the shark fin.

Perhaps someone can help here and advice if the shark fin has a hole underneath it already.

Or mount on the center if the trunk. The cable needs to be routed so the trunk swivel up and down will not create fatigue.

Ideas are welcomed

[rhyary]

GS Display
The display need to be mounted.
I rather find a way to mount it mot using suction cup. I prefer to use some kind of L bracket mounted to the car. Alas, my goal is to keep the interior stock as possible.

Ideas are welcomed and needed.

[rhyary]

Suspension potentiometers

I am very curious to know what the suspension is doing. Mounting potentiometers on the 4 corners will show some information.

This idea is being investigated.
The main challenges are mounting placement, length of the pots, and cable management.

So this is something I delayed purchasing until Autocouture measure some needed lengths

[rhyary]

GPS location
It looks like mounting the GPS on the rear shelf inside the car would give it enough clear skies.

It is a better place to start rather then drilling the CF roof or the trunk.

[warp10]

Originally Posted by rhyary

GPS location
It looks like mounting the GPS on the rear shelf inside the car would give it enough clear skies.

It is a better place to start rather then drilling the CF roof or the trunk.

I ran my gps unit to the top of trunk. Magnetic mount. Used the OEM cable routing. No new holes.

[rhyary]

Autocouture is making progress.

The GPS installed on the rear shelf

The EVO5 is in the arm rest with a data hub mounted externally for the GS display and the Camera connectors
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[rhyary]

Some setback
The EVO5 is installed, connected to the CAN bus and is logging data. So many cool stuff to see.

I was driving with my laptop directly connected to the EVO5 via the USB cable and seen the info on the screen live. I also clicked on the record button and recorded a lap arround my house

The "PEDAL POSITION" looks like it is the gas pedal

I can see PSI pressure on each brake corner

ENG TRQ is in Nm.

DCT Temp is 0 - dogbone already recorded his displeasure about this "feature" so I will let him fight this battle. DCT temp is critical and it should be functioning for an expensive data logger.

Wheel speed is recorded individually

FUEL is recorded in %. i will have to investigate what this mean.

Battery Volts is recorded as expected.

So now to the setback:
The GPS is not working. I am waiting for a second one to arrive. Something may fried it during installation, or the cable is bad.

GS Display is functioning, but not for CAN data.
I loaded 3 tracks into the EVO5 and I can see those tracks on the GS display

However, All I can see is Page 1 with what looks like is default display.

I created two screens. And specifically changed Page 1 to be a different layout the Page 1 on the GS. Alas no change.

So a setback. The good news, it confirm my time table. I much rather deal with this off season then getting upset this is not working for the up and coming track day.

The car is going back to Autocouture for the potentiometers install and getting the EVO5 to work, rather than focusing on install
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[rhyary]

Cool GS installed with removable bracket attached to the cup holder
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[rhyary]

Problem Child.
All I get is this page
Notice the GPS: NO CONN
Notice my face :-(
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[rhyary]

Current Suspension page in RRS2Analysis.
To be "fixed" shortly :-)
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[roastbeef]

you have the capabilities of measuring dampener travel?

[ThunderMoose]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

you have the capabilities of measuring dampener travel?

He's having his shop install potentiometers.

[rhyary]

Originally Posted by ThunderMoose

He's having his shop install potentiometers.

yes

[rhyary]

Camera mount found!
After getting frustrated with a location for the camera mount, that shows my hands and the track, a salvation found in my basement.

I was digging through a box of mounts from my Hang Gliding days (that was before I was engaged in the dangerous sport of HPDE) and found the perfect bracket.

The bracket used to mount the variometer. An instrument that tells you hight, and if you are going up or down. It turns out that once you fly
at a certain hight, a human lose the orientation of the G forces and you can't trust your feelings of which direction you are going. On the track it is an inconvenient. In aviation, it is critical.


It mounts to the passenger seat in ideal angle.
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[roastbeef]

would you mind posting pics and details about the potentiometers when they are in? ...and maybe cost?
i would imagine these would be huge in dialing in suspension settings, but cost might be prohibitive for most.

[rhyary]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

would you mind posting pics and details about the potentiometers when they are in? ...and maybe cost?
i would imagine these would be huge in dialing in suspension settings, but cost might be prohibitive for most.

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I don't mind sharing any installation and technical details. However, as I mentioned before I would stay away from cost, expensive, cheap, the best, and other non technical language.

And i am definitely committed to provide my opinion about this setup and if it is helpful for HPDE.

[roastbeef]

fair enough. can you at least show the brand you go with, method of execution, and compatibility or usability issues?

[rhyary]

So far no clear resolution.
Either the CAN bus go fried on the EVO5, or the harness got damaged during installation.

So far all vendors involved, Autocouture, Stable Energies and of course AiM Sport have been outstanding and supportive.

Due to scheduling I expect that this will get resolved Week of Nov 12th.