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Hey guys...Thought this might be useful for the do it yourselfers and the guys that want to get out of things cheap.

I have used these a lot at work and home to do a lot of things:

http://www.dataq.com/data-acquisition-s ... r-kits.htm

Just click on a few of them. There is some pretty cheap data aquisition options there. Several of them only have +/- 10 volt range...but if you know what your doing you can use them on pretty much anything.

The BAD:

-with the cheaper units there is a common grounding pin for all four channels which can cause some problems (depending on what your trying to do).

-the old models used RS232 (new ones might use USB)

-the the sample rate for the cheapo ones must be divided by the number of channels being used. In other words a sample rate of 200 Hz on one channel would mean 200 Hz whereas the same sample rate across 4 channels would only be 50 Hz. Still good enough to do a lot of cool little things.

-cheap models don't store the information...you would need to have the laptop hooked up to capture data.

The GOOD:
-There cheap and reliable!

-Easy to run (pretty much anyone could do it)

-Files can be saved in a number of formats (CSV can be converted to xls....etc.)

-Both digital and analog on all models (I think).

-It can be used as a low sample rate oscope.

I've got the 148-U.

I haven't really used it yet....but that one seemed to be the most cost effective model, but still provide good operation & features.

The 148U might be newer than what I'm used to using. I don't remember that one from when I was ordering for the shop. I'll have to check it out in more depth. It looks pretty sweet.

I think I have 4 of the 194RS which we use for nothing more than keeping track of triggers on test machines. These are pretty awsome for doing simple signal tracking and recording.

I also have one of the 158UP which runs on a battery load test stand that I built. Thats a nice little job because you can use direct inputs up to +/- 64 volts. Not necisarily required to use in a automotive atmosphere though.

One of the other engineers bought a DI-710 unit for one of our grease gun test stands. I haven't gotten my grubby little hands on it yet, but from what I have read about it its pretty sweet as well.

http://www.dataq.com/products/hardware/di710.htm

I'm trying to convince the boss into letting me buy a Labview setup. Can't convince him into the $4100 price tab for the professional version though. I love that graphic programming.

Yeah I bought the 148U to use in a MAF test stand I am/was going to build. I wanted to simultaneously test both the JECS & Hitachi MAF sensors with the same air flow and get each's response curve.

I still may do it if I get some time, but we'll see.

If you do test that I am VERY interested in the results! If you need either MAF to test I think I might have a spair of both. I would be more than happy to lend it out, as long as you were nice to it.

I've got a spare of both laying around, but I appreciate the offer.

I'd really like to do that test just to see how the response curves are, and compare them to the data Vikash pulled from the ECU's.