What a generic output is for
ESP has dedicated functions for the common jobs: fans, fuel pumps, boost, cam control and so on. A generic output is the blank slate for everything else. You pick a spare output, tell the ECU what kind of signal it should produce, and then decide what drives it, either a table or a set of conditions.
Common uses in our shop include intercooler sprayers, extra coolant or oil pumps, shift lights, warning lamps, and solenoids that don't fit any named function.
Wiring tab
Name
Give it a clear name, like "IC Sprayer" or "Oil Cooler Fan". Whatever you type becomes the channel name you'll search for elsewhere in ESP, including in logs and in other functions' conditions.
Signal type
| Signal type | What it outputs | Modes allowed | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duty Cycle | Fixed frequency, mapped duty | Table only | Proportional solenoids, variable speed pumps |
| Frequency | Fixed duty, mapped frequency | Table only | Devices that respond to pulse rate, like some gauge drivers |
| Stepper Position | Stepper motor position | Table only | Stepper-driven valves |
| State | Simple on or off | Table or Conditions | Relays, lamps, sprayers, pumps |
Mode
- Table: the output value comes from a map of up to three dimensions (16x16), and you choose which ECU channels drive its axes.
- Conditions: only for State outputs. The output switches on when a set of rules about ECU channels is met.
Output
Choose the physical wire. That's usually a DPO (digital pulsed output), or a stepper output for stepper motors.
ECU outputs typically switch a load to ground and have current limits. Anything that pulls real current, like a pump or fan, should go through a relay. Solenoids are usually fine to drive directly, but confirm the current draw first.
Signal-specific settings
Duty Cycle signals: frequency
Set the fixed frequency the device wants. That comes from the solenoid or valve manufacturer, not from guesswork. The wrong frequency often gives a device that barely responds, or one that buzzes and heats up.
Frequency signals: duty cycle
Set the fixed duty the device expects, again from the device manufacturer's data.
State signals: min on and min off time
These add a time-based hysteresis so the output can't chatter on and off when a channel hovers around a threshold.
- Min On Time: once switched on, the output stays on for at least this long.
- Min Off Time: once switched off, it can't come back on until this long has passed.
We almost always set something here for pumps and relays. It saves the relay contacts and stops pumps short-cycling.
Conditions tab
In Conditions mode you build up to three rules. Each rule has:
- Select: the ECU channel to watch.
- Maths: the comparison to make. You can test for a match (=), a mismatch (not =), above (>), below (<), or the inclusive versions of above and below (>= and <=).
- Value: the number to compare against.
Then And/Or decides how the rules combine: And means every rule must be true, Or means any one is enough.
The generic output table
In Table mode, a table appears under the name you gave the output. It supports up to 16x16, and either axis can use any Elite channel. For State outputs, put 0 where you want it off and 1 where you want it on.
Worked example: intercooler sprayer
Say you want a water sprayer to run only on boost at speed, and not to pulse on and off.
- Name it "IC Sprayer", signal type State, mode Conditions, and choose a spare DPO driving a relay.
- Set two conditions: manifold pressure greater than your chosen boost level, and vehicle speed greater than your chosen speed, combined with And.
- Add a short min on time so short bursts of boost don't make the pump flicker.
- Log the output alongside boost and speed on a test drive, and confirm it behaves as expected.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Usually |
|---|---|
| Output never switches | Wrong output selected, And used where Or was intended, or a wiring fault |
| Relay chatters | No min on/off time, or a threshold that sits right where the channel hovers |
| Solenoid barely responds | Frequency doesn't match the solenoid's rating |
| Can't choose Conditions mode | Signal type isn't State |
Generic output FAQ
How many conditions can a generic output have?
Up to three. If you need more complex logic, use a table with two channels on its axes, or combine it with other generic functions.
Can a generic output drive a PWM fan?
Yes, with the Duty Cycle signal type, as long as the fan controller accepts a PWM signal at a frequency you can set.
Related Elite functions: thermo fans, A/C control and boost control.
