DC2 series Dynamometer Controller full specification

Device description and supported dynamometers

DC2 series Dyno Controllers are a versatile solution designed to control multiple types of dynamometers. It’s compatible with hub, engine and chassis dynos, and it works with multiple types of dyno absorbers. DC2 series contains the following models:

  • DC2 – top of the range, upgraded version of DC1E4
  • DC2L – budget controller for simple dynamometers that don’t require all DC2 features

Main upgrades from DC1 series controllers:

  • More inputs, more outputs, bigger data memory, faster CPU
  • New high side outputs with current measurement for bidirectional DC motor control
  • High precision load cell inputs with built in programable amplifier that support direct load cell connection
  • Weather station moved to a separate enclosure and connected with a cable to the main controller
FeatureDC2LDC2
RAM memory4GB8GB
Internal data memory64GB256GB
CAN-BUS lines12
Power outputs5V, 12V only for sensor inputs
10W total
5V, 12V, 24V for sensors and on separate connectors
20W total
Analog outputs14
Low side PWM outputs24
High side PWM outputs04
ON / OFF low side outputs14
Relay outputs14
Frequency inputs15
Multi sensor, engine speed frequency input11
Load cell inputs14
0-5V fast analog inputs112
High precision 0-5V analog inputs
with thermocouple support
48
Switch inputs14
Supported dynamometer configurationsInertial or absorption dyno
Engine dyno
Motorcycle dyno
2WD chassis dyno
4WD chassis dyno with mechanical synchronization
Inertial or absorption dyno (up to 4 absorption units)
Engine dyno
Motorcycle dyno
2WD chassis dyno
4WD chassis dyno with mechanical synchronization
4WD chassis dyno without mechanical synchronization
2WD hub dyno
4WD hub dyno
Differences between DC2 models

The controller is an all-in-one device, that combines PC type computer with operating system and dedicated software, and microcontroller system to control dyno and acquire data in real time.
Tasks performed by the controller:

  • Readout of dyno parameters and data logging signals from additional sensors and OBD
  • Generation of absorbers control signal
  • Control of auxiliary dyno devices such as fans etc.
  • Saving of all the data and later analysis
  • Option to extend controller capabilities with CAN-Bus connected devices.

DC2 can make use of any absorber system that can be controlled with:

  • Digital PWM signal
  • Direct PWM control with current up to 3A
  • 0-10V analog signal
  • CAN bus message

Most popular absorption units are:

  • Eddy current absorber – fast and affordable
  • Water cooled eddy current absorber – fast and suitable for long-term tests on high load
  • Water brake absorber – slow but capable of high torque for long time tests

Note on modern traction control and axis synchronization:
The DC2 uses connected absorbers to synchronize speed on all vehicle wheels, however modern Traction Control systems are so sensitive to any speed difference that the best way to be sure that TC is not activated is to use mechanical axle synchronization. The AC motors synchronizing speed on axles is another solution, but it is expensive and not tested with DC2 yet.

General specification

Power supply100-240 VAC, 50-60Hz, 1.5A, IEC C14 socket
Ambient temperature−20°C – 50°C
Ambient humidity0%-95% non condensing
Base computer4-core Cortex A76 2.4GHz
4/8GB RAM LPDDR4
Data memory 64/256GB 100MB/s
Microcontroller32-bit RISC 64MHz

Inputs / outputs

  • Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac (2,4/5 GHz)
  • Bluetooth 5.0 (Low Energy (BLE))
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • 2 x USB 2.0
  • 2 x USB 3.0
  • 2 x micro HDMI
  • Ambient condition sensor / weather station (temperature, pressure, humidity) included as a separate device
  • CAN-BUS 2.0B
  • Power outputs 24V, 12V, 5V
  • Analog outputs 0-10V
  • Low side PWM outputs 3A 40V
  • High side PWM outputs 3A 28V with current measurement
  • Additional ON/OFF low side outputs 3A 40V
  • Two-terminal relay outputs 250V 16A
  • Frequency inputs for axle speed or other sensors with frequency signal up to 10Mhz
  • Engine speed input for hall, VR, inductive or capacitive clamp sensors up to 15kHz
  • Dedicated load cell inputs with integrated programmable amplifier
  • Fast, general purpose analog inputs 0-5V
  • High-precision analog inputs 0-5V for thermocouples or other analog signals
  • 2-pin switch inputs

PC typical interfaces

The controller is equipped with typical interfaces, found in PC type computers, such as USB, Ethernet, micro HDMI. These allow to connect standard input / output devices such as mouse, keyboard, printer, display and internet connection. Wireless interfaces such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also available.
Bluetooth enables wireless connection with vehicle OBD system, for readout of engine parameters, with use of optional interface.

Ambient sensor and power correction

The weather station shipped with the controller has a precise Bosch ambient sensor that is used to measure temperature, pressure and humidity which can be used to calculate engine power correction. Available correction standards are:

  • DIN 70020
  • EC 95-1
  • ISO 1585
  • JIS D1001
  • SAE J1349

Sensor specification:

  • Humidity: 0% ÷ 100% ±3%
  • Pressure: 300 ÷ 1100hPa ±1.7hPa
  • Temperature: -40 ÷ 85°C ±1.25°C

All power correction parameters can also by sourced from any data channel available in the controller. For example:

  • external sensor connected to analog input
  • OBD
  • CAN bus

CAN-Bus interface

The controller is equipped with CAN-Bus 2.0B interfaces, with transmission speed up to 1Mbps, compatible with ISO-11898-2 and ISO-11898-5.
Interfaces are equipped with software controlled 120Ohm terminating resistor.
CAN-Bus is routed with one twisted pair of wires and allows connecting many devices in parallel on one bus.
The interface is NOT isolated. The device you are connecting must be on to the same ground reference as the dyno controller, or the driver will be damaged. The maximum allowed DC voltage on CAN HIGH and CAN LOW terminals is -58V to +58V
Example devices that can connected to the controller via CAN-Bus:

  • Additional actuator drivers, H-bridges for servo motor control
  • Additional input extenders – wideband oxygen sensor controller, extra analog inputs
  • Automotive displays such as Ecumaster ADU
  • Engine control units such as Ecumaster EMU Black, which can be used to read engine operation parameters or to control throttle opening

Power supply outputs

DC2:

  • 3 separate power supply outputs: 24V, 12V, 5V (2A), capable of total 20W power

DC2L:

  • 12V and 5V is supplied only to sensor connectors with total 10W power.
  • 12V power: 9W
  • 5V power: 1W

Low power external modules can be connected to the supply.
The supply can be used to power external relays and control them with low or high side outputs.

Analog outputs

  • Analog outputs with 0-10V range are intended to control auxiliary dyno devices requiring analog signal.
  • Can be used to control dyno absorber in retrofit applications.
  • Output impedance: 1kOhm
  • Resolution: 12bit

Low side, high side and relay outputs

The controller is equipped with low side outputs, capable of connecting terminal to ground and high side outputs to supply voltage.

  • Maximum switched voltage low side: 40V
  • Maximum switched voltage high side: 28V
  • Maximum current: 3A continuous, 12A peak
  • Maximum inductive load switching energy: 50mJ
  • Short circuit and overload protected
  • Short circuit and overload protected

Part of the outputs have hardware PWM generation functionality and can generate PWM signal with frequency from 0.06Hz to 50kHz and resolution of 20bit. PWM outputs are capable of controlling:

  • eddy current brakes (with use of external BD1 brake power supply)
  • solenoid valves
  • servo motors compatible with RC pulse signal
  • power modulation of devices such as cooling fans etc.

Low side and high side outputs can be joined into half or full bridge to enable bidirectional control of DC motors.

High side outputs have current measurement functionality.

Remaining low side outputs and relay outputs are controlled with programmable logic and allow to power auxiliary devices according to operating conditions or user input. Example use cases are:

  • automatic fan turn on above preset engine speed
  • starter motor control from dyno keyboard

Relay output capacity is 250V 16A for resistive load. Switching high inductive load may require an external arc suppression circuit.

Frequency inputs

Inputs specification

  • Maximum input signal voltage: 15V
  • Signal threshold voltage: 2.5V
  • Hysteresis: 0.6 – 1.2V
  • Pulse capture mode frequency range: 15mHz – 15kHz
  • Pulse capture mode resolution: 31.25ns
  • Pulse capture mode accuracy: 0.003%
  • Pulse capture mode precision @ 1kHz: 0.0032%
  • Pulse capture mode precision @ 15kHz: 0.045%
  • Pulse count mode frequency range: 10kHz – 10Mhz
  • Pulse count mode sampling frequency: 1000Hz
  • Pulse count mode accuracy: 0.003%
  • Pulse count mode precision = Sampling frequency / Input frequency
  • Pulse count mode precision @1MHz: 0.1%

The engine input allows reading signal from Hall, VR, inductive or capacitive clamp sensors. It can be used to read engine speed in cases where the speed is not in constant relation with dyno roller or shaft speed.

  • Input voltage up to 50VAC sine, 250V peak
  • Differential input
  • Adaptive signal arming threshold from 23Hz up
  • Pulse capture mode frequency range: 15mHz – 15kHz
  • Pulse capture mode resolution: 31.25ns

Load cell inputs

The controller has dedicated, differential high precision inputs with built-in programmable amplifier for direct connection of load cells.

  • Amplification range: 1 – 128
  • Differential voltage range: 4V
  • Voltage on inputs for measurement: 0.5V – 4.5V
  • Allowable voltage on inputs: 0V – 5V
  • Resolution: 24bit
  • Logging frequency: 500Hz
  • Sampling frequency: 256kHz
  • Measurement accuracy: 0.06% @ 0°C ÷ 40°C
  • Measurement precision: 0.04% @ 0°C ÷ 40°C

Analog inputs

The device has analog inputs with 0-5V range that can be used to connect any additional sensor.

  • Maximum input voltage: 30V
  • Measurement range: 0-5V
  • Resolution: 14bit (1mV)
  • Logging frequency: 500Hz
  • Sampling frequency: 25kHz
  • Measurement accuracy: 1% @ 0°C ÷ 40°C
  • Measurement precision: 0.3% @ 0°C ÷ 40°C

High-precision analog inputs

The device has differential pairs of high precision analog inputs. These inputs can be used for direct thermocouple connection or for connection of any sensor giving signal in 0-5V range. Every pair allows measuring one signal in differential or two signals single-ended mode.

DC2LDC2
Maximum differential signals24
Maximum single ended signals48
  • Resolution: 16bit (3.9μV – 94μV)
  • Logging frequency: 10Hz
  • Sampling frequency: 250kHz
  • Voltage ranges: 0-256mV to 0-5V
  • Measurement accuracy: 0.16% @ 0°C ÷ 40°C
  • Measurement precision: 0.1% @ 0°C ÷ 40°C

K-Type thermocouple connection:
Differential (above and below ambient temperature measurement):
alumel (-) to S2
chromel (+) to S1

Single ended (only above ambient temperature measurement):
alumel (-) to –
chromel (+) to S1 or to S2 for second sensor

Switch inputs

The device has inputs for switch connection. A switch can be used to activate software functions or controller outputs.

Safety precautions

  • The device should be fixed on a hard, flat surface in a well-ventilated area.
  • The device must not be exposed to vibration.
  • The device air flow must not be obstructed.
  • No foreign objects should be inserted into the device.
  • Life-threatening, high voltages are present in the device. Make sure that it is disconnected from mains power supply before doing maintenance work.
  • The device is intended for installation by qualified personnel.
  • The device should be protected from access by unauthorized personnel.
  • The device should be protected from moisture. It mustn’t be used when wet.
  • The device mustn’t be powered without the enclosure assembled.
  • The device installation doesn’t require enclosure disassembly.
  • If the device is not working correctly, makes disturbing noises, emits burning smell, it should be immediately powered down. Please contact the manufacturer for repair.
  • The device power supply must be protected with 2Amp circuit breaker.

Technical drawings and pinout DC2

Technical drawings DC2L

Warranty

The producer guarantees that the device is manufactured according to accepted craftsmanship practices, and it meets the applicable standards. Correct device operation is guaranteed for 24-month period starting from date of purchase.

The guarantee does not cover damages caused by improper installation, usage or non-compliance with the instruction manual.

The device is intended for installation by qualified personnel. Device final performance and suitability for a particular application is dependent on the user, and thus it is not guaranteed by the manufacturer.

These specifications are subject to change without notice.