Two ways to log an Elite
An Elite ECU gives you two separate logging options, and most of our customers use both:
- Onboard logging records to memory inside the ECU. No laptop needed, so it's what captures the pass at the track or the misfire that only happens on the highway.
- Laptop logging records through ESP while you're connected. Great on the dyno or during a road tune, because every channel is available and you can review it on the spot.
Onboard settings live in Main Setup under the Datalog icon. Laptop logging is run from the Data Manager tab at the bottom of the ESP home screen.
When onboard logging starts
The Activation Condition section decides when the ECU starts writing to memory. There are three options. You can tick more than one, and they act as OR conditions: as soon as any one is true, logging runs.
| Option | Logs when | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Always On | The ECU has power. Off by default | Easy, but it fills memory with idle and key-on time |
| Datalog Switch Input | A switch you've set up in the Functions screen is on | Great on race cars: flick it on in the lanes |
| Enabled (channel condition) | A chosen channel meets a rule you define | Our favorite for street cars, for example log only above a set RPM |
Building a channel condition
- Click Select, pick the channel from the list and click OK.
- Choose an operator from the dropdown, such as Greater Than.
- Type the value that should trigger logging in the last field.
For example, RPM greater than 2500, or manifold pressure above atmospheric, captures the driving that matters and skips the idling. If you'd rather use a physical switch, see datalogging switch.
Choosing channels and sample rates
Onboard logging can record up to 40 channels at once. Click Add/Remove, highlight the channels you want in the Channels window, move them across with the >> button and click OK.
Each channel gets its own Sample Rate, set in the dropdown beside it. It's shown as the time between samples, so smaller is faster: 5 ms is 200 samples a second, 100 ms is 10 a second, and 10 s is one sample every ten seconds.
Match the rate to how fast the value can change. Coolant temperature moves slowly, so every 10 seconds is plenty. RPM, throttle and ignition timing change in milliseconds and deserve the fastest rates. Slow sensors logged fast just burn memory.
| Channel type | Examples | Sensible rate |
|---|---|---|
| Fast engine data | RPM, throttle, MAP, ignition angle | Fastest available |
| Control and fueling | Lambda, boost target, injector duty | Fast to medium |
| Slow sensors | Coolant, air temp, oil temp, battery voltage | Slow, seconds apart |
ESP works out an Approximate Logging Time and shows it under the channel list, so you can see the effect of each change. When the memory fills, logging stops. It won't overwrite old data. Clear the memory in the Data Manager tab to start logging again.
Download and clear the onboard log before you head out. Finding a full memory after the one pass you needed is a common, painful mistake.
Logging to your laptop
With ESP connected, press the red Record button in the Data Manager tab. The recording goes straight to your computer, where you can play it back or export it to the Data Log Viewer.
- Options > Setup picks what gets recorded. Use Add/Remove to add or drop any available channel.
- Playback shows the recorded traces after you've logged.
- Options > Export saves the log out for sharing or deeper analysis.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Usually |
|---|---|
| Onboard log is empty | No activation condition met, or none ticked |
| Log stops partway through a session | Memory full. Clear it in Data Manager and slow down slow channels |
| Traces look steppy | Sample rate too slow for that channel |
| Can't add another channel | You've hit the 40 channel limit for onboard logging |
FAQ
How long will onboard logging last?
It depends on how many channels you log and how fast. ESP shows the approximate time under the channel list, so adjust until it suits your session.
Can I send you a log to look at?
Yes. Export it and get in touch. For more setup topics see the Main setup and Devices pages, or the Nexus equivalent, Datalog.
