I got a call yesterday from someone new to Radicals that needed some help downloading the data from the Life ECU. Since one person had the question I assume that others will have the same questions so I am posting the information here.
Starting in 2010 Radical started using LIFE ECUs (Engine Control Units) in the SR3s. They were installed a bit earlier than that in the SR8s (if anyone has that date please let me know). The LIFE ECU was a great improvement from the previous unit because it records multiple engine paramiters that can be downloaded and used for trouble shooting. The downloaded files can be emailed to Radical / Powertec for trouble shooting. Additionally after each day on the track it is a good idea to download the ECU data so that you can keep track of your engine hours, #Over revs, etc. and it is good to have a record so if you do have an engine issue you can go back and see when it started to show up.
To download the data a Radical specific download cable is attached to the network port of a computer and is then attached to the data port on the car (which is on the right hand side wall of the cockpit). The required Life software can be downloaded from the Radical factory web page (www.radicalsportscars.com). Here is the detailed instruction sheet to perform the download.
I hope this is helpful,
Charley
Additional information is available in the Radical "Data Analysis Manual" that is available in our "Radical Resource Library". https://radicalsportscarregistry.com/data-manual/
Additional information is available in the Radical "Data Analysis Manual" that is available in our "Radical Resource Library". https://radicalsportscarregistry.com/data-manual/
Charley, what is the best place to get one of the LifeECU cables? Or, better yet, can these be made? Can we get a USB cable and a Binder(?) cable and make our own? Are the part number and pinouts available?
@tommymills, I usually get my parts from Spring Mountain. Unfortunately, these cables ar pretty expensive. I believe they are ~$180 but it is a good investment. It is a very good practice to download your ECU data after every track day and store it so if you have a problem with your engine in the future you can go back and see when it started, or how it progressed.
Charley
@charleyhradicalsportscarregistry-com the benefits of downloading the data are very compelling. Current prices out of Spring Mountain are $165.11. The value is there, no doubt, but I work in the electronics industry and building cables is in our wheelhouse. Just need some part numbers! 🙂
@tommymills, Unfortunately I don't have any pin out information on the cable or know who makes the connector.
