EcmSpy Cable for PC/Laptop
The Connection between the PC and the Buell ECM happens via a special cable and dongle. A direct connection is not possible due to the nature of the socket on the Buell ECM, which is different from a serial-type PC connector, and also because both systems have different voltage requirements which are not directly compatible. The ECM signals 0 and 1 with currents between 0 and 5 Volt (TTL-Level), while the PC, for the same task, uses currents of between -12 Volt and +12 Volt (RS232-Level). So not to damage or destroy the ECM, the voltage supplied by the PC's serial port needs to be adjusted to suit the range of the ECM. A so called RS232-TTL-convertor is used for that purpose.
You can connect your PC to the ECM in two different ways, depending on what kind of (serial) connection the PC offers.
- Connection via the serial port of the PC (i.e. COM1, COM2): This is the most direct route to establish a connection between the PC and the Buell ECM. It requires the adjustment of the voltage/current as described in the paragraph above. The voltage supply required by the Converter-IC can either be taken directly from the current provided by the serial port of the PC, or via a 5 Volt Converter(another IC) from the system voltage of the Buell ECM.
- Connection via USB-to-Serial Connector: Less and less laptops nowadays feature a native serial port (RS232). Instead, more emphasis is placed on USB communication ports, which is serial in nature but provides far greater speeds.
As the USB ports seems to be used far more widely nowadays than the traditional serial ports (RS232), it was decided to stop the development of the RS232-ECM connector and concentrate on the USB solution instead. One of the biggest suppliers of USB-IC's is a company called FTDI. They also offer a USB-to-Serial converter which works with TTL currents. All sealed into the USB connector. Once installed, the driver software 'presents' a virtual serial port to the application.
To connect to the ECM's diagnostics port only one additional connector is required. This connector can be obtained from a company called Deutsch IPD, part number "DT 06-4S". Only three of the four connections in the ECM's diagnostic port are active. Transmit, PIN 3, Receive, PIN 1 and Ground, PIN 2. The numbers are engraved on the back of the Deutsch connector.
Ready built cables
Some people provide ready-for-use cables for the PC at or near cost. Depending on the region you live in, select one of the following contacts:
| The Americas: | cable_usa@ecmspy.com |
| Downunder: | cable_au@ecmspy.com |
| France & Wallonie: | cable_fr@ecmspy.com |
Thanks to Michel for translation.