OK, scratch my previous question. Dobeck seems to change company names and/or websites every time they release a new product. I still can't tell quite what the product is actually doing, although the same is true for the PCV+AT. Manually tuning (I think) would entail working out ideal A. Power or B. Efficiency per RPM range. What are the PCV+AT and Dobeck AFR+ doing? NOTE: The more I read, the more lost I am...and I'm a techy guy. MarvinM
The PC5 and the AT box are simple(ish) computers that do very specific things. I suspect the DoBeck-AFR is not wildly different-especially given the cost.
They analyse, predict and adjust. I was working on stuff like this (though they were the size of small rooms) in the nuclear industry back in 1979. It's when I realised my future was IT and not Nuclear Physical Chemistry.
I am pretty good at destructive benchmarking equipment - If I had a dyno I'd crack the algorithms of both really fast - I cornered Fujitsu's Mainframe engineers in 1981 at their own plant, using their systems - took me about 6 hours.
The PC5 base computer interrupts the signals sent from the ECU to the fuel injectors by the stock ECU and sends different signals to the injectors based on what you (or additional sensors) tell it to. That's it. It has some nice extra functions in there like a different map for each gear.
The AT is an add on computer that samples the AFR ratios in the Exhaust gasses using a Wide Band O2 sensor - compares them to the target values you supply (Most of us use values laboriously worked out by Hanso) and then advises the PC5 where to richen or weaken fuel to achieve the desired AFR.
Like all analyse/adjust computers they are only as good as the quality and quantity of data they receive - and the skill of the operator.
As with all similar systems - It is imperative that you commit trim values (i.e ALTER) to the base reference map every so often.
The less you force an analyse,compare, adjust system to work away from zero - the better it will adjust to smaller changes.
In the PC5 you have a base map as well as the AT trims - I don't know where the Dobeck base fuel map is. Maybe Bill knows whether one can also look at this - even though it may not be strictly necessary per Dobeck.
Ignore the marketing - NOTHING ADJUSTS REAL TIME.
Without a significant sample data you cannot predict requirements so cannot make adjustments. End of story.
Also ignore the MYTH that you need a Dyno to set up a PC5 with AT. You do not. End of Story.
The Dobeck allows you the make on-the-fly adjustments, but afaik you cannot see a log of where and how much it has adjusted against your base ECU tune. I DON'T LIKE NOT KNOWING. It's a character flaw.
The PC5 can also be adjusted on the fly if you buy the LCD - but frankly I'd rather look at data and use my brain to analyse and understand the data. And maybe make OTHER adjustments to the engine etc before simply adjusting AFR to compensate.
I understand the Dobeck gives you 3 zones to adjust in - and allows you to adjust the crossover thresholds. It's supposedly to emulate the "ease" of Carb tuning. WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU TUNE AN ADVANCED EFI SYSTEM LIKE A CARB. Carb's can be a real bugger to tune WELL.
I'm old fashioned - I don't like EFI - but if I have it I'm going to use it as it's designers intended. If I had a Dyno - I'd tune the base ECU map directly - though I do like the map per gear option in the PC5.
The PC5 allows you to adjust individual cells covering 250rpms at different throttle openings - and per gear. And yes - it makes a difference.
Note that the "no PC required" thing is a bit of a blinder as with either system YOU NEED TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE TRIUMPH ECU to get the best out of them.
Is one better than the other - for you?. Only you will know. I went for a Pc5/At when there was no DoBeck. But I'd still take the PC5 route. It treats an EFI system like an EFI system.
Did that help - if not send me a PM.