Date:         Fri, 30 Jun 2006 12:00:40 -0700
Reply-To:     John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Idle Stabilizer Control Box
In-Reply-To:  <44A53515.2080607@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

> Has - or is - anyone working on reverse engineering the idle stabilizer
> control using modern digital processor technology?
>
> Seems to me that for someone knowlegable with electronics, it could be
> done with over-the-counter components. and would take up far less space.
> The boards and electronics of the current ISC for the 2.1 L WBX is a
> nightmare. I need to replace mine and I was just wondering if anyone was
> working on it.


I have a "back burner" project for that I've been working on off and on,
here and there, more or less. The original VDO-built monster is a bizarre,
hand tuned analog computer that manages to keep RPM at a certain spot
without being able to actually count revolutions OR minutes. I figure a
fifty cent digital microcontroller could probably do the same thing better
and more reliably with dozen lines of assembly language. I've worked out the
basic code for the controller, but that's the easy part. Lately I've been
repeatedly sidetracked on one or another more critical projects (brake fluid
leaking from rear wheel cylinder is the current one) and haven't had time to
wire up my telemetry system to record how the current system works.  If I
ever get the measurements I can start fumbling with the electronics.

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"