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Which Ethanol Content Sensor To Use

jamesdt

By jamesdt,
in Engines & Forced Induction

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jamesdt Enthusiast

jamesdt

Posted
Posted

For use guys that are running a flex fuel set up. Which content sensor are you using and what did it cost? I can get a genuine gm sensor which is the flow through type for around $200. I have not seen to many more for sale that are available locally

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https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/434195-which-ethanol-content-sensor-to-use/
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  • 7 months later...
Dose Pipe Sutututu Grand Master

Dose Pipe Sutututu

Posted
Posted

If I was to use an Adaptronic Select plug in ECU will this be compatible with it?

Yes, but remember adaptronic ECU doesn't truly do flex fuel - as it doesn't have the capability to blend maps like say a haltech as such.. it just adds/deducts timing and compensates fuel based on rpm/load.

good enough if you're mainly using E85 and pop in the occasional 98 or blends

Dose Pipe Sutututu Grand Master

Dose Pipe Sutututu

Posted
Posted

Do you just pop the sensor inline in the return line then call it a day?

yepp and connect the sensor up.. if you're really tight you can connect the output to a digital volt gauge to measure ethanol content.

0V = no ethanol

1V = 20%

2V = 40%

3V = 60%

4V = 80%

5V = 100% ethanol

  • Like 1
Kinks Grand Master

Kinks

Posted
Posted

Yes, but remember adaptronic ECU doesn't truly do flex fuel - as it doesn't have the capability to blend maps like say a haltech as such.. it just adds/deducts timing and compensates fuel based on rpm/load.

good enough if you're mainly using E85 and pop in the occasional 98 or blends

I was reading a paper linked on the adaptronic forums that talked about ethanol content and knock resistance - peak ignition timing for port injected engines is at about 40% ethanol content and additional ethanol doesn't benefit knock resistance. it was interesting reading as it means your fuel map needs to vary from 0% to 85% ethanol (to get mixtures right) but the ignition map probably only needs to vary between 0% and 40% ethanol content. (I say probably - I'm not a tuner!). So even blending maps may not produce a perfect result, although it would be conservative with the ignition timing on a partial blend which is a safe option.

89CAL Grand Master

89CAL

Posted
Posted

quick question, I'm looking at adding an ethanol sensor to my Link G4 sometime before the end of the year. The wiring manual for the continental sensor shows a +14v output from the ECU to the sensor, but there is no such output of voltage from the ECU. I'm thinking this is just a power source from battery/ignition but obviously I don't want to fry the ECU so can anyone help me out.

I feel like this is maybe a silly question but oh well lol

Ben C34 Grand Master

Ben C34

Posted
Posted (edited)

yepp and connect the sensor up.. if you're really tight you can connect the output to a digital volt gauge to measure ethanol content.

0V = no ethanol

1V = 20%

2V = 40%

3V = 60%

4V = 80%

5V = 100% ethanol

Hmm.

But the sensors output a frequency, 50 to 125 hertz if I remember correctly.

The whole point of the zeitronix box is to convert that to a voltage. If you didn't need it why would people buy it?

Edited by Ben C34
Kinks Grand Master

Kinks

Posted
Posted

Got a link to the thread mate?

Can't find it on adaptronic forums, i think it was one of the discussions on flex fuel. Here's the actual paper though (see link down the bottom to PDF):

http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/69496

89CAL Grand Master

89CAL

Posted
Posted

Your correct, use a +14v ignition switched supply.

Thanks

I figured as much, the wiring drawing just confused me because it shows a 14v supply straight from the ECU. Figured that must have been just a switched power supply, but wasn't real keen to blow up the ECU so had to ask lol

ARTZ Grand Master

ARTZ

Posted
Posted

Thanks

I figured as much, the wiring drawing just confused me because it shows a 14v supply straight from the ECU. Figured that must have been just a switched power supply, but wasn't real keen to blow up the ECU so had to ask lol

you got a diagram of that mate?

also anyone know where to buy the sensor plug?

I have sensor here but not sure how to wire it...

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