Rovergauge and ECUmate..............
Rovergauge and ECUmate..............
Author
Discussion

Hedgehopper

Original Poster:

1,542 posts

266 months

Friday 29th March 2013
quotequote all
What is the difference between a Rovergauge and an ECUmate?

Do they tell you the same thing?

Which would be the most suitable for fault finding on a standard Serp engine?

Does the Rovergauge require a laptop to view results?

Thanks in advance.

Robert Lees

550 posts

163 months

Friday 29th March 2013
quotequote all
The basic ecu mate (lite) i have only gives fault codes to give u an indication, the newer ecu mate gives you values i think.

the rover gauge looks pretty smart and gives real time values but is only viewable on a lap top .

to my knowledge.

shpub

8,507 posts

294 months

Saturday 30th March 2013
quotequote all
These are the differences:

ECUmate Lite is a simple fault code reader using the NA "OBD like not actually OBD" connector. Just displays a code number which you then use to look up in a chart to get the meaning.

ECUmate is a full blown diagnostic unit for the 14CUX using the Testbook connection. This gives access to the ECU internals.

ECUmate is standalone with a bright LCD display that is readable in sunlight. Plug in and use.
Doesn't need a laptop.
Displays realtime information with a faster update rate than Roverguage.
Data is internally timestamped to ensure integrity e.g. data from one sensor is not displayed with data from another but taken a second later.
Essential to avoid incomprehensible data.
Displays data in sensible units e.g. voltage values as well as percentages, bar graphs etc. Ideal for setting up AFMs and throttle pots.
Has throttle pot noise test built in.
Monitors the ECU during ECU power up to check for stepper motor initialisation and file pump priming.
Allows the stepper to be moved and fuel pump to be switched on.
Displays all fault codes with number that matches the original Rover fault code guide with text description.
Clears all fault codes.
Displays ECU idle mode state and contributory factors that control idle state.
Shows lambda operation.
Identifies tune resistor and associated map.
Works with any 14CUX eprom code including Mark Adams specials and others.
Mark actually uses one...
Has genuine Lucas TTS plug for reliable connection.

Dodsy

7,175 posts

249 months

Saturday 30th March 2013
quotequote all
I'll add my 2p worth - I've never used the rovergauge but for convenience alone the ECUmate wins for me. Just plug in and get instant info and you can keep it in the car.

Only used mine a few times but its been invaluable helping to diagnose faults, if you have an RV8 then this should be in your toolkit. Before ECUmate I had a basic fault code reader, but the problems I had were not throwing fault codes, but were combining to create a few problems so it didnt help.

You still have to be able to interpret the results of course , but thats true of the roverguage and most other diagnostic computers.


blitzracing

6,418 posts

242 months

Saturday 30th March 2013
quotequote all
Firstly both products have plus points. The ECUmate is a great product for keeping in your boot, as it does not need a laptop and Steve has already listed its other plus points.

Both diagnostics read ECU data in much the same way but some good points for Rovergauge is it will display multiple sensor data at once (without scrolling)- you could say compare live rpm values data against short term lambda trim to identify rich or lean running in a specific area. RoverGauge has the extra Lambda trim value for long term fueling which is good for a snap shot of how much base correction the ECU has to apply to get the mixture correct as short term on its own is only is only half the story. It also has a data logging facility, and an Eprom copy facility as its PC based. You can switch the sensor data to whatever units you prefer, and it will work with any ECU chip quite happily- it reads my Mark Adams chip without issues. The issue of slow reponse from the sensors has been resolved by making the display switchable reduce the load on the ECU data output, so no issues there now. As the software is PC based it can be upgraded as an when updates occur, that you cant easily do with a hard programmed test box. Of course there also the issue of price- a cable is lot less to buy or construct and the software is free- and that’s not a bad price. smile




Edited by blitzracing on Saturday 30th March 19:05

zed4

7,248 posts

244 months

Saturday 30th March 2013
quotequote all
blitzracing said:
Firstly both products have plus points. The ECUmate is a great product for keeping in your boot, as it does not need a laptop and Steve has already listed its other plus points.

Both diagnostics read ECU data in much the same way but some good points for Rovergauge is it will display multiple sensor data at once (without scrolling)- you could say compare live rpm values data against short term lambda trim to identify rich or lean running in a specific area. RoverGauge has the extra Lambda trim value for long term fueling which is good for a snap shot of how much base correction the ECU has to apply to get the mixture correct as short term on its own is only is only half the story. It also has a data logging facility, and an Eprom copy facility as its PC based. You can switch the sensor data to whatever units you prefer, and it will work with any ECU chip quite happily- it reads my Mark Adams chip without issues. The issue of slow reponse from the sensors has been resolved by making the display switchable reduce the load on the ECU data output, so no issues there now. As the software is PC based it can be upgraded as an when updates occur, that you cant easily do with a hard programmed test box. Of course there also the issue of price- a cable is lot less to buy or construct and the software is free- and that’s not a bad price. smile




Edited by blitzracing on Saturday 30th March 19:05
Had a play with this today at Neil Garner's with my blue Chimaera. Mark, thanks for your time, I will be in touch next week to order one. I was very impressed.

Ps. I adjusted my idle screw when I got home, runs much better now.

Hedgehopper

Original Poster:

1,542 posts

266 months

Sunday 31st March 2013
quotequote all
Thanks everyone for the advice. Reading between the lines I think that for someone with my (lack of) computer skills the ECUmate is what I will be going for.

jojackson4

3,042 posts

159 months

Monday 1st April 2013
quotequote all
Will it run on windows xp ?

zed4

7,248 posts

244 months

Monday 1st April 2013
quotequote all
jojackson4 said:
Will it run on windows xp ?
Yeah, they were running XP at the Neil Garner day.

jojackson4

3,042 posts

159 months

Monday 1st April 2013
quotequote all
zed4 said:
jojackson4 said:
Will it run on windows xp ?
Yeah, they were running XP at the Neil Garner day.
I may have to get me some of that then
Thanks

jojackson4

3,042 posts

159 months

Friday 12th April 2013
quotequote all
Where can I get a lead from for the rovergage
Thanks Peter

chrisdurham

310 posts

168 months

Friday 12th April 2013
quotequote all
i wouldnt mind a lead either if anyone is making them?

carsy

3,019 posts

187 months

Friday 12th April 2013
quotequote all
Look in the Classifieds, Blitzracing sells them.

blitzracing

6,418 posts

242 months

Friday 12th April 2013
quotequote all
I have them for sale in the classified under TVR-

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/parts-and-p...




jojackson4

3,042 posts

159 months

Friday 12th April 2013
quotequote all
Thanks gents

gavgavgav

1,569 posts

251 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2013
quotequote all
If it helps I have the roverguage & cable running on a mac OSX with virtualbox & Win 7 and it seems to work fine.

SILICONEKID350HP

14,997 posts

253 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2013
quotequote all
Once you have purchased the Rover guage can you do anything with it ,like changing fueling etc or is it just for diagnostics ?

jojackson4

3,042 posts

159 months

Saturday 27th April 2013
quotequote all
Top tool
Had a play with mine and its found my new temp censer is fked put the old one back in and jackpot all is good in the world
Thanks mark
Peter

blitzracing

6,418 posts

242 months

Saturday 27th April 2013
quotequote all
SILICONEKID350HP said:
Once you have purchased the Rover guage can you do anything with it ,like changing fueling etc or is it just for diagnostics ?
In theory I think it could be used as a mapping tool as it shows the fuel load values in real time- but you would need an Eprom emulator (about £200) to be able to alter the values to see the effect of a rolling road. Once you where happy with the map a new chip needs programming into another Eprom with a new check sum. Not sure if ecu will keep putting the data out at high RPM however.

Gurmot

32 posts

133 months

Friday 20th October 2017
quotequote all
Dragging this up from the past but I have recently bought a V8 RRC and I am looking for an ECUMATE. Does anyone know where I can get one or have one for sale?