User Instructions for
TCFI Log Software
Twin Tec
CAUTION: CAREFULLY READ INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING. THE USER IS
ASSUMED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH MICROSOFT WINDOWS AND PC OPERATION.
then using the View Chart or View Statistics
commands on the View menu.
OVERVIEW
TCFI Log software runs under Microsoft
TCFI Log is compatible with all TCFI Gen II units
(including the new TCFI IID version) and TCFI units
with Rev 5.0 or higher firmware.
Windows 98/ME/XP/Vista. This software allows TCFI
fuel injection controller users to view real time engine
data during dyno tuning, download and display data
logged by the unit including operating statistics, and to
control certain engine functions. An optional USB
Interface or PC link cable is required to connect to the
existing four terminal Deutsch style data link connector
on the H-D wiring harness.
A sample data file (Sample.log) is included in
the program folder.
PC REQUIREMENTS
If you are using the new Twin Tec USB Interface
(P/N USB-INTF), refer to the supplied instructions for
details. No additional hardware is required.
The new Twin Tec USB Interface P/N USB-INTF
provides PC connectivity for all of our engine controls
(ignition and fuel injection systems) and eliminates the
requirement for multiple cables or a separate USB
adapter if your laptop is not equipped with an RS-232
serial port (9 pin male D-sub connector). The USB
Interface is compatible with Windows 98/ME/XP/Vista.
The original PC link cable connects to an RS-
232 serial port by means of a female 9 pin D-sub
connector. Data transfer occurs at 56 kBaud. The high
baud rate limits the maximum cable length and the use
of an extension cable is not recommended. Due to the
cable length limitation and the need for portable
access, a laptop PC is recommended. The PC must
have a free serial port (COM1-255) with a standard 9
pin male D-sub connector. If your laptop does not
include a serial port, you can use a USB adapter.
However, not all USB adapters will work correctly with
our PC link cables. Most of the inexpensive USB
adapters are intended for interfacing Palm Pilot type
devices and do not support all the signals required by
our PC link cables.
If you do not have the new USB interface, you
will require the original RS-232 PC link cable P/N
TCFI-C also used with our new TC88A ignition. Please
note that the TC88C PC link cable used with the earlier
TC88 ignition will not function. The two types of PC link
cables have identifying labels, but otherwise appear
similar. However, the electrical connections are
different and the two cables types cannot be
interchanged.
After TCFI Log is launched, the main screen
appears blank. You have multiple display options. You
can display real time engine data on an instrument
panel type screen by using the View Real Time Data
command on the View menu. You can display data
logged by the TCFI unit on a chart recorder type
screen. You can also view engine operating statistics
logged by the TCFI unit. Data logged by the TCFI unit
must be downloaded before it can be displayed, by
using the Download Data From TCFI command on the
Communications menu. Once data has been
downloaded, it is automatically displayed on a chart
recorder type screen. You can view the engine
operating statistics by using the View Statistics
command from the View menu. You can save this data
by using the Save File command from the File menu.
You can display a previously saved data file by first
using the Open File command on the File menu and
We sell and recommend a low cost USB adapter
(P/N USBG-232) that has been tested with a wide
range of system configurations. The USBG-232
adapter comes with correct and updated driver files on
CDROM. After installation the USBG-232 adapter will
usually appear as COM5.
We recommend a laptop with Pentium processor
and super VGA display (SVGA with 1024 x 768 pixel
resolution) running Windows 98/ME/XP/Vista. Data
chart display is graphics intensive and a high speed
Pentium processor is recommended. Processors
slower than 300 MHz will exhibit sluggish program
loading and response. The PC must have a CDROM
drive for program loading.
TCFI Log includes print commands to print
downloaded data. The program has been tested with
Daytona Twin Tec LLC, 933 Beville Road, Suite 101-H, S. Daytona, FL 32119
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Figure 1 – Real Time Engine Data Display
AFR – the air/fuel ratio bar graph has dual
IDLE TPS DISPLAY
pointers. The yellow pointer on the left side is
the air/fuel ratio command (from AFR table). The
white pointer on the right side is the actual
air/fuel ratio based on the exhaust gas oxygen
sensor reading. Note that the value will remain
near 10 until the sensor has warmed up. Front
and rear cylinder AFR values are displayed for
TCFI IID units.
You can check the idle TPS adjustment by using
the View Idle TPS command on the View menu. Turn
the run/stop switch on, but do not start the engine
when using this function. Idle TPS volts are displayed
on the TPS bar graph gauge. All other instrument
values will appear as zero.
With the throttle fully closed, verify that the
gauge display is between .30 to .80 volts for TCFI IID
units or between .35 to .45 volts for all other TCFI and
TCFI II units. If the value is outside this range, you will
have to adjust the TPS sensor. For optimum
BLM – block learn multiplier (main fuel table
correction factor based on exhaust gas oxygen
sensor feedback, shown as percent value from
75-125%). Front and rear cylinder BLM values
are displayed for TCFI IID units.
performance, adjust the TPS sensor to .40 volts.
FRONT INJ PW, REAR INJ PW – injector pulse
width in milliseconds
FRONT ADV, REAR ADV – ignition advance in
degrees BTDC
Daytona Twin Tec LLC, 933 Beville Road, Suite 101-H, S. Daytona, FL 32119
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rear cylinder AFR values can be displayed for
data logged by TCFI IID units.
DATA LOGGING CHART DISPLAY
You can also display data logged by the TCFI
unit on a chart recorder type screen. Data logged by
the TCFI unit must be downloaded before it can be
displayed, by using the Download Data From TCFI
command on the Communications menu. Once data
has been downloaded, it is automatically displayed.
The last data logged will appear at the right end of
the chart. You can save the data by using the Save
File command from the File menu. You can display a
previously saved data file by first using the Open File
command on the File menu and then using the View
Chart command on the View menu.
BLM – block learn multiplier (main fuel table
correction factor based on exhaust gas oxygen
sensor feedback, shown as percent value from
75-125%). Front and rear cylinder BLM values
can be displayed for data logged by TCFI IID
units.
IAC – idle air control stepper motor position
(higher number means more idle air)
IAT – intake air temperature (deg C)
ET – engine cylinder head temperature (deg C)
Note that TCFI data files use a .log extension.
You should create a separate folder to store these
files.
FRONT INJ, REAR INJ – injector pulse width in
milliseconds
FRONT ADV, REAR ADV – ignition advance in
degrees BTDC
You have a range of capabilities for analyzing
downloaded data displayed in the chart recorder
format. You can select two parameters for display.
Trace 1 is displayed in red with its Y axis legends on
the left side of the chart. Trace 2 is displayed in green
with its Y axis legends on the right side of the chart.
BAT – battery voltage
USER – user output displayed as digital (on/off)
signal. On means that the output is grounded.
The X axis is always elapsed time. You can
select from one of three time scales. You can use the
scroll bar to move the chart display window in terms of
elapsed time. If you hold the left mouse button down
within the chart area, a cursor line appears. The exact
values of the parameters displayed on trace 1 and
trace 2 and the elapsed time appear in windows above
the chart. If you want to analyze the elapsed time
between two events (for example the time required to
accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH), you can move the
cursor to the first event and then click on the Reset
Time Display button. You can print the displayed chart
to any Windows printer by clicking on the Print button
(a color inkjet printer is recommended for best results).
Additional data is displayed at the lower right
side of the screen. This data includes:
Baro – barometric pressure in In-Hg.
Diagnostic Code – normally blank unless a
diagnostic code is set. Refer to the TCFI
installation instructions for details.
Engine Status – based on engine temperature
and open/closed loop AFR
Log Interval – the actual data logging interval in
seconds
The TCFI data buffer stores the last 1600 data
points. With a nominal data logging interval of 0.50
seconds, this corresponds to 13.3 minutes of data. You
can set higher or lower data logging intervals by means
of the PC Link TCFI software Module Parameters
screen. Data logging intervals of 0.5-1.0 seconds are
suitable for on-road tests; a shorter interval of 0.10
seconds is recommended for dyno tuning.
Data parameters include:
RPM – engine crankshaft RPM
VSS – vehicle speed in MPH
MAP – manifold pressure in In-Hg (29.92 In-Hg
corresponds to atmospheric pressure)
You can clear the data within the TCFI by using
the Clear TCFI Data Buffer command from the
TPS – throttle position (0 to 100%)
Communications menu. If you change the data logging
interval, you should also clear the TCFI data buffer.
AFR – air/fuel ratio based on the exhaust gas
oxygen sensor reading (10:1 to 20:1). Front and
Daytona Twin Tec LLC, 933 Beville Road, Suite 101-H, S. Daytona, FL 32119
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Figure 2 – Data Logging Chart Display
The following additional functions are available
from the Edit menu:
Units Selection – allows selection of MPH or
KPH units for vehicle speed display.
BLM Cell Display – shows the active cell in
terms of RPM and TPS percent at the cursor
position. TPS percent is compensated for idle
air. This function is useful for determining what
fuel table cell is active at any given point in time.
IAC MANUAL OVERRIDE
The IAC Manual Override command on the
Communications menu allows you to manually override
the idle air control stepper motor position while the
engine is running. This command is primarily used to
calibrate larger aftermarket throttle bodies, but can also
be used as a diagnostic aid.
Gear Ratio Display – shows the calculated gear
ratio (RPM/KPH) at the cursor position. This
function is useful for determining the 6th gear
ratio required for Module Parameter setup in PC
Link TCFI IID for 2007 models with six speed
transmissions and a 6th gear indicator light.
Daytona Twin Tec LLC, 933 Beville Road, Suite 101-H, S. Daytona, FL 32119
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ID represents the firmware identification. This field
typically includes the manufacturer (Twin Tec), model
number, program revision and author's initials, and
date. Note that the date is not a manufacturing date
code, just the date for the particular firmware release.
USER OUTPUT MANUAL OVERRIDE
The User Output Manual Override command on
the Communications menu allows you to manually
override the user output on TCFI units. This command
can be used as a diagnostic aid to test accessory
systems connected to the user output.
Elapsed time is displayed for 13 RPM bands
from idle to 6999 RPM. Note that elapsed time data is
rounded off during each engine run, so the sum of the
elapsed time figures may not precisely match the total
hours. The program also displays the maximum engine
RPM, time at the RPM limit (in seconds for better
resolution) and the number of engine starts.
OPERATING STATISTICS
You can also display engine operating statistics
logged by the TCFI unit. Data logged by the TCFI unit
must be downloaded before it can be displayed, by
using the Download Data From TCFI command on the
Communications menu. Once data has been
downloaded, you can use the View Statistics command
from the View menu. You can save this data by using
the Save File command from the File menu. You can
display a previously saved data file by first using the
Open File command on the File menu and then using
the View Statistics command on the View menu.
Clicking on the Print Statistics button prints a
report. When you click on this button, a small data
entry screen pops up and allows you to add a serial
number or comment that will appear on the printout.
You can also use the Print command from the File
menu. You can clear the statistics data within the TCFI
by using the Clear Statistics Data command from the
Communications menu. The first time you use this
command, you will be prompted for a password. Your
dealer can supply you with the required password.
Note that TCFI data files use a .log extension.
You should create a separate folder to store these
files.
The data is fairly self-explanatory. Total hours
represents the total time that the engine was running.
Figure 3 - Operating Statistics Display
Daytona Twin Tec LLC, 933 Beville Road, Suite 101-H, S. Daytona, FL 32119
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Figure 4 - Operating Statistics Histogram Chart
Historical diagnostic codes are only applicable to
chart along with a complete statistics report by clicking
TCFI Gen II units and TCFI units with Rev 6.0 or higher
firmware. Any historical diagnostic codes logged by the
TCFI unit are listed along with the number of trips
(engine start cycles) since the individual code was last
logged. Codes are automatically cleared after 50 trips.
on the Print Chart button.
IMPORTING DATA INTO EXCEL
Data files saved from TCFI Log are in comma
delimited ASCII format. You can easily import a data
file into other programs such as Microsoft Excel for
further analysis. You can also view data files with a text
editor such as Windows WordPad. To import a data file
into Excel:
Customers are often confused about the
meaning of the term “trips.” This is an industry
standard terminology. If a code shows 40 trips, it
means that the code was set 40 engine start cycles
ago, not that the code has been set 40 times.
1. Start Excel. In the File Open dialog box, select
Files of type: All Files (*.*). Then browse for the
data file.
Refer to the TCFI instructions for further
information about diagnostic codes. You can clear
historical diagnostic codes by using the Clear Historical
Diagnostic Codes command from the Communications
menu.
2. The Text Import Wizard appears. For step 1, select
delimited file type. For step 2, select comma
delimiter. For step 3, select general column data
format. Then click on Finish.
The elapsed time data in the various RPM
bands can be displayed in the form of a histogram
chart by clicking on the Histogram button. Color coding
of the bars helps to interpret the data. The idle RPM
band is blue, normal operating RPM bands are green
and high RPM bands are yellow and red. The chart is
automatically scaled for best display. You can print the
3. You can then format the data and save the
spreadsheet as an Excel file.
Daytona Twin Tec LLC, 933 Beville Road, Suite 101-H, S. Daytona, FL 32119
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TROUBLESHOOTING FLOWCHART
Follow the troubleshooting flowchart below.
Experience has shown that most communication
problems are user error or PC compatibility issues.
Troubleshooting Flowchart
STARTING
POINT
IS RS-232 TIMEOUT ERROR MESSAGE
DISPLAYED WHEN ATTEMPTING
DOWNLOAD OR UPLOAD?
YES
NO
FOR MISC PROBLEMS,
CALL TECH SUPPORT.
CYCLE ENGINE RUN/STOP SWITCH.
VERIFY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT
ILLUMINATED. IS PROBLEM FIXED?
YES
NO
DONE
USE WINDOWS DEVICE MANAGER TO
VERIFY THAT CORRECT COM PORT IS
SELECTED. IS PROBLEM FIXED?
YES
NO
FIRST TIME USE OF USB ADAPTER THAT
WAS SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY (NOT
SOLD AS PART OF OUR SYSTEM)?
DONE
YES
NO
USB ADAPTER MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE.
REPLACE USB ADAPTER (REFER TO
INSTRUCTIONS). IS PROBLEM FIXED?
YES
NO
DONE
OTHER SOFTWARE ON PC THAT USES
COM PORT SUCH AS PALM PILOT OR
DIGITAL CAMERA?
YES
NO
DISABLE OTHER SOFTWARE.
PALM PILOT - MAKE SURE
HOT SYNC ICON DOES NOT
APPEAR IN SYSTEM TRAY.
IS PROBLEM FIXED?
CALL TECH SUPPORT
NO
YES
USE ANOTHER PC OR UNINSTALL
OFFENDING SOFTWARE. IN SOME
CASES YOU MAY HAVE TO RELOAD
WINDOWS. CALL TECH SUPPORT
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
DONE
Daytona Twin Tec LLC, 933 Beville Road, Suite 101-H, S. Daytona, FL 32119
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