What this page sets up
With Cam Control Switched, the ECU turns a cam solenoid fully on or fully off, rather than holding the cam at a target angle like continuous cam control does. Before you tune the switch points, NSP needs to know how many solenoids you have, what they control and which ECU outputs drive them. That's all done in the Settings, under Options and Connections.
Picking the Output Mode
Count your solenoids, note what each one moves, and decide whether any of them needs two outputs sharing the load. Then pick the matching mode:
| Your hardware | Output Mode | Outputs used |
|---|---|---|
| One intake solenoid, or one solenoid that moves both cams | Intake or Shared Output | 1 |
| One exhaust solenoid | Exhaust | 1 |
| One intake and one exhaust solenoid | Intake and Exhaust | 2 |
| One intake solenoid that draws too much for a single DPO | Two Intake Outputs | 2 |
| One exhaust solenoid that draws too much for a single DPO | Two Exhaust Outputs | 2 |
| High-current intake and exhaust solenoids | Two Intake and Two Exhaust Outputs | 4 |
The "two outputs" modes exist purely for current. Two DPOs are driven together so each carries part of the solenoid's load.
Choosing the output
Under Connections, assign the output (or outputs) wired to each solenoid. A DPO (Digital Pulsed Output) is the normal choice. Then check the solenoid's current draw against what a DPO can switch:
- Within the DPO rating: one DPO per solenoid, done.
- Too much for one DPO: either use an HCO (High Current Output) if your ECU has one spare, or use a two-output mode and split the solenoid across two DPOs.
If you have an HCO available, we generally prefer it over doubling DPOs. It's one wire, one pin and no question about both outputs switching together.
A solenoid's resistance tells you its current draw: divide system voltage by the coil resistance. Measure it with a multimeter, compare with your ECU's output ratings in the manual, and leave some margin for a hot, charging 14V system.
After wiring
Use the output test in NSP to confirm each solenoid clicks, and check that the right cam responds to the right output. Then move on to the switching conditions in the main cam control switched settings. If you're wiring this into a larger install, cam control wiring covers the continuous version. Unsure which mode fits your engine? Ask us.
