• Hello Guest, welcome to the initial stages of our new platform!
    You can find some additional information about where we are in the process of migrating the board and setting up our new software here

    Thank you for being a part of our community!

DBW Stand Alone Controller

culberro

culberro

Ronald Culberbone III (Robert)
Joined
Feb 10, 2010
Location
Bend, OR
Has anyone used this controller, or one similar, for DBW control?

rmracingelectronics.com

Electronic Throttle ETC Fly by wire | Drive by Wire Standalone Controller

Explore our Electronic Throttle ETC Fly by Wire Standalone Controller. Ideal for precise throttle control with PID, feedforward, and safety features.
rmracingelectronics.com rmracingelectronics.com

I'm a huge fan of microsquirt for it's cost, but the firmware doesn't support dbw control. I was looking into making a h-bridge driver board with some simple logic, but this hits the sweet spot where it's not even worth my time at this price point.

I want to dig into the safety side of it a bit more, but it looks like an easy enough controller to integrate into most systems.
 
Growing list of other controllers:

ldperformanceusa.com

DBW Throttle Controller – Standalone Drive-by-Wire Control | LD Performance

Take control of your electronic throttle with the LD Performance DBW Throttle Controller. Fast, precise, standalone operation with CAN support, idle control, antilag mode.
ldperformanceusa.com ldperformanceusa.com

sptronics.com

Drive By Wire Throttle Controller 1/2 Channels - SPTRONICS

Drive By Wire Throttle Controller
sptronics.com

ampenginemanagement.com

AMP Drive-By-Wire Controller

Add modern electronic throttle (e-throttle) to your build with smooth control, flexible tuning, and safety-first logic. The AMP EFI DBW Controller closes the loop between your pedal and throttle body for crisp response, stable idle, and predictable drivability. Why Tuners Choose This Controller...
ampenginemanagement.com ampenginemanagement.com
 
Last edited:
There's a 7+ year continuing thread on msextra about developing and selling a DBW controller (MS3 support only): https://www.msextra.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=70530

The designer was very safety conscious, but maybe there were lawyers involved too. I don't consider any of the aftermarket ECUs especially safe, since most of them can blow up an engine at high speed if an unexpected sensor failure occurs. A failing or stuck throttle is bad, but usually not catastrophic, especially for skilled drivers with good reactions.
 
bobxyz said:
There's a 7+ year continuing thread on msextra about developing and selling a DBW controller (MS3 support only): https://www.msextra.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=70530

The designer was very safety conscious, but maybe there were lawyers involved too. I don't consider any of the aftermarket ECUs especially safe, since most of them can blow up an engine at high speed if an unexpected sensor failure occurs. A failing or stuck throttle is bad, but usually not catastrophic, especially for skilled drivers with good reactions.
Click to expand...

I’m of the same mindset regarding aftermarket ECUs. Even going beyond sensors failing, how many have true safety level logic built into them?

I’m not too worried about a DBW failure, as the OEM sensors have a no-power and fail safe default position of ~5-10%. While that’s still above zero, it’s a lot better than failing at WOT 🤣.

This is all becoming more interesting to me since getting ITBs to behave nicely (and maybe have cruise control) is starting to look like a huge PITA without using a DBW actuator for the linkage.
 
Wait and see what the ft550 will cost when it goes on sale in a few days. It might be around $900 which makes that a no brainer ecu upgrade.
 
OttoB said:
I have ECUmaster H-bridge driver, it was 350 European commie money. I chose that because it has CanBus. Ecumaster have cheaper variant with analog input.
Click to expand...

Are you commanding DBW via canbus or an analog/PWM input?
 
mopar318 said:
Wait and see what the ft550 will cost when it goes on sale in a few days. It might be around $900 which makes that a no brainer ecu upgrade.
Click to expand...

Are they still using PW vs VE on their fuel table?

There are also plenty of controllers out now in that price range with increased functionality as well.

I just currently have the two microsquirt controllers allocated to projects, and I’m TB cheap
 
You mentioned cruise control.

How would that be implemented? Is there a standalone controller for it? Or are you doing some kind of ecu magic?
 
I got that, but what controls it?

A standalone cruise controller? The ECU?



I would love a CC but don’t want to go through the pain of retrofitting one from another car.
 
To add cruise control, you'd need a few more inputs: brake switch, clutch switch (if any), VSS, set/resume, cruise on/off. It would take a small relatively slow PID control loop to implement. The bigger problem may be the lawyers and increased liability. I haven't seen cruise in any of the simple DBW boxes, but I think I've seen it in at least one higher-end ECU.
 
bobxyz said:
To add cruise control, you'd need a few more inputs: brake switch, clutch switch (if any), VSS, set/resume, cruise on/off. It would take a small relatively slow PID control loop to implement. The bigger problem may be the lawyers and increased liability. I haven't seen cruise in any of the simple DBW boxes, but I think I've seen it in at least one higher-end ECU.
Click to expand...
Yes: https://www.maxxecu.com/webhelp/settings-ethrottle-cruise_control.html
In theory it should be controllable with a CC stalk, or a sport steering wheel with buttons (plus brake switch at least, and clutch). Or one could use a canbus button setup.

eThrottle however I think is more interesting in regards to anti lag, ditching idle motor etc. and you can also create your own antispin with it :P Then it can either pull timing or partly close the throttle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top