The FD20 Data Logger

The FD20 is a 20+ channel, up to 500 samples per second data logger designed for motorsport.  Data is recorded onto a removable SD flash memory card.  Not only does this provide a huge memory, but it dispenses with down load leads and long down load times. Sandisk Ultra II Plus cards are supplied that have an integral USB connector so a card reader is not required on the PC.  Data analysis and plotting is by  Podium Flash Windows™ software.  The logger is supplied with the RCA60 display head as the RCA400 system or with the Farringdon Steering Wheel Instrument System as the SWIS20.  Both systems provides warnings on the display for temperatures or pressures exceeding or dropping (respectively) from settable limits. The SWIS20 includes a gear position display and nine individually settable shift lights.

Logging starts when the selected trigger occurs.  Options are when power is applied, the engine starts or the trigger speed is exceeded.  Logging stops when power is removed.  Because so much memory is available (all systems are supplied with 512 M bytes as standard) there is no need to log different channels at different rates - all channels are sampled at the same rate.  The maximum rate of 500 samples per second can be used for some simple monitoring of suspension travel and of course is more than adequate for RPM, speed, temperature and pressure measurement.

 

    Channels Recorded in Frame 1

    Speed, RPM, Oil Pressure, Oil Temperature, Water Temperature, Fuel Pressure, Longitudinal, and Latteral G, Gear, Battery, Logger Temperature, Lap Time and Distance.

    8 analogue user channels

    ECU Derived Channels and Frame 2 Channels

    New for 2008, data from some engine ECUs can be captured by the logger.  Set Up pages within Podium Flash allows the user to select data from the ECU to be used rather than signals from additional sensors.  Further, other ECU data such as Lamda, throttle angle, exhaust temperatures, is saved in an additional data frame, Frame 2.  The user can decide to log this data alternately with Frame 1.  Although this halves the maximum sample rate, the full sample rate is available for all channels in Frame 1 when it is chosen not to log Frame 2 channels.

    Variable sampling rate from 10 to 500 samples per second

    Battery supported Clock and Calendar record start and stop times for each session

    Sensors available separately

    Display Options

    RCA 60 Display

    SWIS20 Display

    Lap Time

    yes

    yes

    Laps Completed

    yes

    yes

    Elapsed Time

    yes *

    yes

    Gear position

    no

    yes

    Speed

    yes *

    yes

    Gauge

    yes *

    yes *

    Warnings of pressures and temperatures

    yes

    yes

    Shift lights

    no

    9 shift light individually defined in set up

    Performance Monitor Option

    available

    available
       

    * Any two gauges can be displayed at the same time

Data Analysis is performed by Podium Flash.  This is major upgrade from Podium Plus for the higher data rate, larger files and handles data logged against time rather than distance. Podium Flash handles plots of full laps, out laps, in laps and static data recorded when warming up the engine for example.  Histograms, xy plots and a comprehensive set of reports are available