Starter Control
Starter Control provides ECU managed operation of the Starter Motor.
There are two requirements for starter control to function:
·
A Digital Input Function must be setup as Start Position. This could be a conventional key activated ignition switch or a push button.
and
·
An Auxiliary Output Function must be setup as Starter Solenoid. This output should be connected to starter solenoid relay.
Starter Control Settings
Start Switch Mode
Selects the mode of starter control. Options available are:
·
OFF - No starter motor control by the ECU.
·
Test - Use for testing input/output functionality only. When Start Status is active the ECU will activate the Starter Solenoid Auxiliary Output. No other conditions are checked, this could potentially lead to starter damage, engine damage or personal injury if operated at the incorrect time.
·
Normal - Behaves the same way a typical vehicle starting system. The key is turned and the engine will crank until the key is released. However it offers the added protection of preventing the starter being engaged at a high engine speed and the option to disable starting if the vehicle is not in Park/Neutral or is immobilised. When the conditions specified for Deactivation RPM, Anti-theft Lockout and Neutral/Park Lockout are met AND Start Status is active the ECU will activate the Starter Solenoid Auxiliary Output. The auxiliary output will stay active until the Start Status turns off OR the the Deactivation RPM is reached.
·
Start/Stop - Allows the use of a single button for both starting and stopping the engine. When the engine is stalled, pressing the button will crank the motor over. Once the motor is running, pressing the button again will stall the engine. This mode is suitable for a single start/stop button on the handle bar of a motorbike or jet ski. When the conditions specified for Deactivation RPM, Anti-theft Lockout and Neutral/Park Lockout are met AND Start Status is active the ECU will activate the Starter Solenoid Auxiliary Output. The auxiliary output will stay active until the Start Status turns off OR the Deactivation RPM is reached. Once the engine is running, if the engine speed is above the Deactivation RPM AND the Start Status becomes active the ECU will apply a 100% Fuel and Ignition cut to the engine.
·
Touch Start - Allows a starter motor button (or key) that can be momentarily pressed to start the engine. The driver taps the button and the ECU will take care of starting the engine. Typical applications for Touch Start mode would be remote starting or a jet boat. When the conditions specified for Deactivation RPM, Anti-theft Lockout and Neutral/Park Lockout are met AND Start Status is momentarily active the ECU will activate the Starter Solenoid Auxiliary Output until the Max Crank Time is met or the Deactivation RPM is reached. As of firmware version 5.5.6, pressing the start button again while the engine is running will stop the engine.
Starter Deactivation RPM
Specifies the engine speed (RPM) above which the Starter Solenoid Auxiliary Output turns OFF.
Use Anti-theft Lockout
An option to make the Starter Solenoid Auxiliary Output conditional upon Anti-theft status. If set to Yes and Anti Theft Status is Active the Starter Solenoid Auxiliary Output will not function.
Use Neutral/Park Lockout
An option to make the Starter Solenoid Auxiliary Output conditional upon Neutral/Park status. If set to Yes and Neutral/Park Status is OFF the Starter Solenoid Auxiliary Output will not function.
Max Crank Time
Used only on Touch Start Start Switch Mode, this is the maximum amount of time the starter will be allowed to crank if the engine does not start.
Starter control Examples
Example 1: Normal Mode with Anti-theft
Assume Starter Control is set up as:
Start Switch Mode = Normal
Starter Deactivation RPM = 600 RPM
Use Anti-theft Lockout = Yes
Use Neutral/Park Lockout = No
With the above settings the ECUs Starter Control would activate the starter motor if:
·
Engine speed is less than 600, and
·
The anti-theft signal is off and
·
The driver presses the start button (or turns the key).
Example 2: Start / Stop Mode with Neutral / Park Lockout
Assume Starter Control is set up as:
Start Switch Mode = Start / Stop
Starter Deactivation RPM = 550 RPM
Use Anti-theft Lockout = No
Use Neutral/Park Lockout = Yes
With the above settings the ECUs Starter Control would activate the starter motor if:
·
Engine speed is less than 550, and
·
The Park/Neutral signal is active and
·
The driver presses the start/stop button.
With the above settings the ECU would apply a 100% cut to both fuel and ignition if:
·
Engine speed is greater than 550, and
·
The driver presses the start/stop button.
Note: The fuel and ignition cut will remain until engine speed is zero RPM.