uS v2.0 Logic-level IGN output circuitry question

[robh]

Hello,

I have some VW 1.8t COP's (I believe they are the 5V pull-up ones if IIRC) which I would like to use with my brand new v2.0 Microsquirt (had a v3 MS2 but sold it to a friend to justify buying a uS). I have my Ignition output jumpers switched to logic-level but haven't seen any schematics on what the "logic-level" circuitry consists of.

Can I use the logic-level output without adding any circuitry to drive my COP's (assuming they're 5V pull-up)? If not, could someone give insight on what would be needed??

Thanks in advance, I'm very excited to check out the Microsquirt unit!

[robh]

I confirmed my setup- I do have the VW COP's w/ 5V signal (plus built in ignitors, of course). This is good news. I'm measuring 120 ohms per Coil which puts me at (120 ohms in parallel @5V) ~83mA. is that too much? I quote from the v2.0 announcement by Bruce "The logic level outputs can drive a few milliamps and are overvoltage protected, so they are pretty rugged, but be a bit careful on what you hook up to these."

I suppose I could drive a transistor or op-amp to handle the current if the microsquirt can't handle the current. I could also front the cash and get the "R" revision COPs which are upwards of 500 ohms netting 20mA. OR I could put a >5W, 1k load resistor in series w/ the ignition outputs but I think it might add a decent margin of error or latency, not sure.

As always, any insight is appreciated.

[robh]

I compared my VW Coils to the LS1 coils and they seem very similar and, from what I've read, the LS1 coil ignitors can be wired right to Microsquirt logic level output (with the option of adding Caps) and draw ~25mA.

Based on this info I hooked up my COPs today. I got all good signals coming into my uS (injectors are not hooked up yet, by the way) and am outputting a constant ~4.5mSec Dwell. However I got no spark. I measured the voltage at the ignitor ~2.9V. I saw that logic level output has 100k to ground and 100 ohms to the output, with a coil ignitor load of btwn 60 and 200 ohms, do these results seem right? If so what can I do to get these coils firing? Could it be that they need a higher voltage? Also, I could be totally off about the logic level circuitry.

Please Help!!

[robh]

4 posts in a row, I'm really starting to seem desperate here.

BUT I'm posting because I got it working!!! I am now successfully running Micrsoquirt w/ VW COP's. I'm still a bit concerned that I could do harm to the microsquirt so if anyone has any input from the circuirty limitations standpoint I'd like to hear it.

[OB6D]

Holy smoke man, i don't understand much of what you're saying, but i'd like to run this too. At least now i know it's possible.

What on earth is logic level, to start with, and where do i read up on this?

[OB6D]

Holy smoke man, i don't understand much of what you're saying, but i'd like to run this too. At least now i know it's possible.

What on earth is logic level, to start with, and where do i read up on this?

Well that was then. It's a been there done that now.

[OB6D]

4 posts in a row, I'm really starting to seem desperate here.

BUT I'm posting because I got it working!!! I am now successfully running Micrsoquirt w/ VW COP's. I'm still a bit concerned that I could do harm to the microsquirt so if anyone has any input from the circuirty limitations standpoint I'd like to hear it.

Just fry it and get it over with.

Mine sparks CDI coils on high level. It also sparks the same coils with the Us on low level, but with the amplification box in between, like it was before. It also sparks the short VAG coils. And it sparks the long versions, which wire slightly different. Those two on low level also. I've also used to big coils from four cylinder cars, it sparks those too, again on high level.

I really can do a lot of things with it, except making the engine do much more then idle.