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In a few weeks time I shall release the PFC Master - a 6" LCD screen unit which is a complete Power FC manager. Fits in the same holder as the FC-Commander, but will bring the PFC at par or even better than most newer ECUs on the market. Will add all the missing protection features, have a voice assistant warning you about anything that goes wrong, and gives the PFC the ability to take action on readings from extra sensors, such as oil, fuel, coolant pressures, fuel ethanol content, and more. No more need for a laptop while logging and updating maps, this unit does it all !
This is not just a fancy FC-Commander, but a complete ECU manager.
Features a powerful 64 bit intel processor, nice HD LCD screen, touch screen commands, software upgrades via Wi-Fi, 3 USB sockets, automotive grade dc power circuit, self start-up with key-on, self shutdown on key off, bluetooth connectivity, data logging software, extends PFC input and output ports functionality, forces engine to limp mode when something goes very wrong, flip between boost levels or even between maps by a simple touch command, media player, voice assistant, audio aux output, and more.... It's so fast that it can do all these things while managing the PFC in the background.
I'm still refining its software but should make good progress in the following weeks.
In the meantime, you might consider getting your own DL-340XB unit if you have not yet done so. With the DL-340XB you can upload, download, edit, perform logging sessions without a single glitch, thus replacing the obsolete Datalogit box. Moreover, the DL-340XB will enable you to use the PFC Master. These units are always in stock and ready to ship. Check out FC-Tweak on Facebook.
I'd been tossing up buying a Link plugin or similar, sometimes if you wait the solution comes to you. I knew the hardware was powerful for the era, just needed someone with the drive to nut it all out. Congratulations, I will be a customer.
Awesome stuff xavier. I'm loving my DL-340XB so far and FC tweak truly is like pure magic!
Please put me on on the shortlist for getting one of these!
Waiting in anxious anticipation for the official release & price!
Yes, bluetooth connectivity is mainly for connecting to the audio head unit, so that the PFC Master can be used as your main mediaplayer, streaming mp3 from either a micro SD card or from its own music folder on its internal SSD. It can also be used to connect to a bluetooth keyboard. A wired or wireless keyboard can also be used. A keyboard is not a requirement since all menus can be controlled via its touchscreen, and an on-screen virtual keyboard pops up whenever you need to enter a filename.
I was quite busy finishing its I/O extender module, which enables it to monitor all extra sensors required for extra engine safety. I should be able to have it ready to be released by end September, price for the PFC Master will probably be around $1300.
So we are essentially getting a plug and play ic7 that upgrades our current ecu w safety parameters that have an actually good response rate. That also datalogs and tunes on the fly and displays every single gauge among dozens of other things 😅. How can i preorder this? Lol
This......... changes everything. Thank you so much for your continued hard work with this platform. Very much looking forward to see full scope of install and usage for this
Here is a diagram showing the setup wired up in its full configuration. Sensors & sensor types are user programmable, so you can measure other parameters of your own choice.
The PFC Master can operate with or without the I/O extender.
So this effectively doesn't change actual ecu firmware? It's all done in the external devices? I appreciate logging dashes aren't cheap but I'm guessing that puts the full set of electronics near $4000AUD on top of the Apexi. Probably need to start comparing some other ecu/display options at that price point, some ecus have onboard but my Plex will read ecu data from modern ecus anyway. Might have to build a cost and functionality comparison sheet.
Hardware-wise it's compatible with all Apexi PFC models, with the exception of the very oldest ones (such as the AP Engineering units). Such units use a slower communications protocol and are not able to be controlled in real time by an external processor. As regards RX7 models, all models with serial numbers starting FD3S4/5/6 and above are of the new type, and can be totally managed by the PFC Master.
So this effectively doesn't change actual ecu firmware? It's all done in the external devices? I appreciate logging dashes aren't cheap but I'm guessing that puts the full set of electronics near $4000AUD on top of the Apexi. Probably need to start comparing some other ecu/display options at that price point, some ecus have onboard but my Plex will read ecu data from modern ecus anyway. Might have to build a cost and functionality comparison sheet.
Of course it DOES effectively change the firmware function. It's as much as effective as upgrading the whole ECU without actually unplugging it. The Apexi Power FC is a unique ECU in that it can be forced into 'slave mode', doing whatever an external ECU tells it to do. So, the PFC Master can add new functions to the Apexi, based not only on the sensors connected to the PFC, but also to the extender module. The full set of electronics costs half of what you are guessing, and is less than half of what one would spend for an ECU upgrade, a logging computer and a virtual LCD dash.
I'm not knocking what you have done. There are things that a appealingly about the approach you have taken, not being a large entity you can respond quickly and focus, but also by not rewriting the ecu you aren't locking users into your platform if you suffer a misfortune or disappear.
The US/AUD exchange rate is much less favourable for us that it was a decade ago, Marcus wants $1000AUD for the DL340 which seems reasonable given you USD pricing on Facebook. That puts the master ~$2000 AUD landed here, plus the input module (and the value of the ecu or second-hand recovery).
I don't particularly want a digital dash as such, and as I'll be using my Plex PCA2000 for primary logging for combustion pressures plus everything else it would be foolish for me personally not to start looking at other ecu options that can do the fuel/oil/EGT safety stuff (plus not trying to gerryrig secondary runner throttle control with the existing staging outputs) internally(may open option of IMP:EMP primary load too). Completely different story for a guy that doesn't already have a specialised 5 figure bit of logging gear or attempt to think out of the box a bit with various control systems to increase flexibility of the engine system. If I shred 3rd gear of the OS gearset I also have to think carefully about driveline options in the future.
The PFC Master is aimed for owners who already own a PFC and want to make the best use out of it, so the cost for the PFC does not come into the equation. And the DL-340XB interface costs just US$ 270, which many PFC owners have already. The package which Marcus sells at 1000AUD contains a lot more items than just the interface, and you do not need all that for use with the PFC Master. Of course everyone is free to make his own choice. You clearly love Plex for good reasons, others may like some other brand for other good reasons, but still, the PFC Master upgrade is one of the most affordable and effective upgrades that any existing PFC owner can get for his money.
A few more screen shots from my own PFC Master. Main software sections are now ready, getting close to completion.
Added Engine protection, Map selection button, and I/O extender warnings to main screen. The PFC Master is now able to control timing & fuel to protect your engine. The PFC finally gets its knock protection function.
Tested Data logging - finally no more logging laptops required for PFC owners.
Fast Edit mode replaces the function of the FC-Commander.
Question-- current FC-Tweak interface requires the use of keyboard keys to activate certain functions and the "buttons" on screen don't respond to clicks.
I'm assuming the pfc master with its touch capability would mean that a new software update to FC-tweak would enable the "clicking" of those previously keyboard-only buttons?
If not, how would a user on the pfc master, for example, trigger "Tweak" or "Auto Tune"? or the PFC-Connect example would be-- trigger "Connect to pfc" or "Start/pause data logging"
Also, have you considered perhaps an "early-adopter" discount for existing dl-340xb owners that would like to pre-order a pfc master?
Thanks,
-Joey
Hi, any software which was not meant to be used with a touch screen can still be controlled by connecting either a wired or wireless keyboard to the PFC Master. Eventually the PFC Master will be able to auto-tune the fuel map in real time.
Also, all functions on PFC-Connect have already been adapted for touch screen operation (see above screenshots) on the PFC Master. Now you simply tap on the respective on screen 'buttons'.
Price is already quite attractive, but will surely work out a good deal for existing DL-340XB users.
Hi, any software which was not meant to be used with a touch screen can still be controlled by connecting either a wired or wireless keyboard to the PFC Master. Eventually the PFC Master will be able to auto-tune the fuel map in real time.
Also, all functions on PFC-Connect have already been adapted for touch screen operation (see above screenshots) on the PFC Master. Now you simply tap on the respective on screen 'buttons'.
Price is already quite attractive, but will surely work out a good deal for existing DL-340XB users.
what it sounds like is that there are still some functions within the pfc master which will require a keyboard? Will this be addressed in due time so that the complete user experience of a pfc master owner could be touch-only?
Also, the touch/click capable version of the fc tweak and pfc connect software, will these software versions be available to PC users such that we would get a "free" update to be able to click on said buttons, or would these versions be exclusively available to pfc master buyers?
To be clear, I plan on buying a pfc master but from a customer perspective I would also appreciate if you made the "clickable buttons" update available for free to existing dl340xb users.
All functions on the PFC Master are already fully controlled via the touch screen. PFC-Connect functions are already incorporated. FC-Tweak Pro software package is not planned to be part of the PFC Master, because other future features on the PFC Master will take auto-tuning to the next level, more advanced than FC-Tweak.
Also, all updates for FC-Tweak and PFC-Connect laptop versions were always free and will remain free to all registered users, and the mouse clickable buttons option will eventually be added to the laptop versions as well.
All functions on the PFC Master are already fully controlled via the touch screen. PFC-Connect functions are already incorporated. FC-Tweak Pro software package is not planned to be part of the PFC Master, because other future features on the PFC Master will take auto-tuning to the next level, more advanced than FC-Tweak.
Also, all updates for FC-Tweak and PFC-Connect laptop versions were always free and will remain free to all registered users, and the mouse clickable buttons option will eventually be added to the laptop versions as well.
Thanks for clarification on these points!! You are awesome Xavier!
Is the ultimate 'vision', if you will, for the pfc master to be that end-users could plug in the pfc master and dl340xb to their car and never have to do anything to the ecu themselves after setup?
08-17-24, 01:56 PM
