ADL3 counters

[SXD]

I'm considering using an ADL3 dash, and have been looking at the configuration software.

One thing I want to do eventually is a custom paddle shift setup for what is essentially an H pattern gearbox.
The mechanical / pneumatic side of it all looks doable, and my initial plan was to use the PDM to control everything.
The control solenoids are only very small though so it's a bit overkill using 8amp PDM outputs to drive them.

Looking at the ADL3 settings, there are channels for counters and counter up/down inputs, but I can't find the function.
Searching counters in the help finds a page on setting them up, but it's not in the help index or in the config software as far as I can tell.

Am I missing something, or is there no general purpose counter function?

I found a forum post about doing a counter setup on an ADL2 so I can probably use that method, but it would be nicer to use a built in function if possible.


thanks

[David Ferguson]

Please describe what you think a "general purpose counter function" does. I bet the counters can be used for this, but I'm not understanding what you are looking for.

[SXD]

I want to be able to increment a counter up and down based on switch inputs, with max / min values in either direction - the same as the counter function in the PDM or later dashes.

As far as I can tell, there is no counter function available on the ADL3.

Obviously it has a lap counter, page up/down counter etc, but I want to set up a custom one.

[David Ferguson]

You're right. Counter functionality (Calculations->Up/Down Counters...) came with the Cxxx Dashes, I was thinking the ADL3 and CDL3 had those as well, but they don't. Sorry.

[SXD]

bummer!
I was a bit confused by the counter function being in the help but not actually available!

It should be doable with the maths / table functions.
Otherwise I might have to save some more cash and get a C125 (although then it doesn't have enough IO for what I'm doing...)

[David Ferguson]

The replacement for a ADL3 is a C185/C187. You can even use the same harness.

[SXD]

Unfortunately the C185 is well out of my budget!

[Stephen Dean]

Having built a Paddle Shift system using a PDM as the control system (had to retain the factory ECU) I wouldn't do it. The timings in the PDM for the switching are not fast enough to properly do the shifts.

[SXD]

my gearbox is probably also a lot slower than the average paddle shifted setup, but that's good to know!

This is a bit of a future experiment (I'm currently running an external mechanical sequential shifter) so I'll build and test the hardware on the bench first either way.

I was originally planning on building my own controller which would handle the shifting and output a gear position signal (either CAN or analog / PWM) but the counter function in the PDM got me thinking about doing it that way and saving myself some work.

[Auto Sport Elect]

I have previously used counters on an SDL, so an ADL3 should do it easy.

Use Darren's method described in this post viewtopic.php?f=14&t=162