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FAQ ECM (Exhaust)

Questions and answers on Exhaust measurement modules.

Is it possible to change the baud rate of an ECM module (LambdaCANc,...) in CSMconfig?

The baud rate can only be changed with the ECM configuration tool. You can download the ECM configuration tool under the following link http://www.ecm-co.com/download.asp?35010

In CSMconfig, the module can then be read in and parameterized as usual.

Adjust heating and sensor characteristic curve manually via CSMconfig

Heating and sensor characteristics can be adapted using the CSMconfig configuration software. Via the configuration panel it is possible to adapt the two characteristic curves accordingly. Further information can be found in the CSMconfig help under the keyword ECM heating characteristic.

Information on the characteristic curves can be taken from the data sheet of the probe.

Comparative measurements with an NH3 sensor with a test bench gas show strong deviations in accuracy.

ECM's NH3 sensor is not designed for the environment in a test bench gas. It is designed for use in an SRC catalytic converter (Selective Catalytic Reduction) or for a low CO environment.

The accuracy of the sensor refers to the environment in the exhaust tract and cannot be transferred to the use in the test gas environment. Further information on the use of the NH3 sensor in the test gas environment can be found in the NH3CAN module manual.

Effect of condensation water on the exhaust system

If condensation hits the hot probe, the ceramic cracks and the probe is broken.

There are several ways to prevent this:

  • A protection tube on the probe (has every probe, LSU4.9 has quite different ones), which keeps off water droplets, but still allows gas changes.
  • Wait for dew point end, i.e. all water is out of the system. (This can take several minutes for a diesel engine; the probe is not heated until then (=unregulated exhaust gas)).
  • Assembly at a place where no/few water droplets are present.

Which interfaces are supported by the ECM Configuration Tool?

  • Kvaser
  • ETAS
  • Peak USB-to-CAN Adapter
  • VectorCAN

What has to be considered when updating the firmware of the ECM modules?

Please note the following points when updating the firmware of the ECM modules:

  • Never interrupt the power supply during the update.
  • The firmware can only be updated for one ECM module at a time.
  • There must not be any further modules on the CAN bus (this also apllies to ECM modules).
  • The correct firmware for the module must be selected. The configuration tool does not check the plausibility of the correct firmware file.
  • No probe connected to the module
  • After the successful update, wait until the module has been restarted and is ready for operation (red LED flashes every 2 seconds; configuration tool will show error 0x14 intentionally - sensor missing).

Are error codes transmitted by the measuring modules of ECM?

The transmission of error codes can be defined as a signal in CSMconfig (LambdaCANc, NH3CAN) or set via the configuration tool of ECM (NOxCAN). The corresponding parameter must be adapted for the error code to be sent. Select TPDO=ERcd for this purpose. The parameter is used by default in CSMconfig.

Output error codes are displayed as signals in decimal notation in both CSMconfig and INCA. To check meaning of the error codes in the manual of ECM, the codes should be converted into a hexadecimal numerical value.

To which ambient temperature may probes be exposed?

The maximum ambient temperature in which the Kemramik probes may be used is 850°C.

Is there a way to perform NH3 compensation on NOx sensors in a diesel engine?

The NOx sensor can be compensated for the NH3 component by subtracting the NH3 value (NH3CAN) from the NOx value (NOxCAN).

  • The NOX value "NOxCAN" of the sensor shows the following sensitivity to NO, NO2 and NH3:
    → ppm(NOx) = NO + 0.9 NO2 + NH3
  • The NH3 value "NH3CAN" of the sensor shows the following sensitivity to NO2 and NH3:
    → ppm(NH3) = NH3 + NO2

This results in the following compensation function:
ppm(NOx) - ppm(NH3) = (NO + 0.9 NO2 + NH3) - (NH3 + NO2) = NO -0.1 NO2

After a DashCANc is connected to the CAN bus, no more measured values are displayed.

DashCANc only supports the 500 kbps bit rate. If the other CAN bus participants (e.g. LambdaCANc) use a different bit rate, a CAN bus error has occurred. In case of a CAN bus error, no more measured values are sent to the bus. Please adjust the bit rate of the connected measuring modules accordingly.

At what point pressure compensation must be used for exhaust gas measurements?

The manufacturer of the exhaust gas measurement system ECM recommends pressure compensation if the pressure in the exhaust tract deviates by more than 35kPa from the environment. Starting from a pressure difference, the measurement errors for the lambda and NOx values become larger.

Pressure compensation is mainly used for lambda and NOx measurements, since the measured values are recorded at points in the exhaust system where there is a high back pressure. For this reason, compensation is not necessary for NH3 measurements, since the acquisition takes place after exhaust gas recirculation (low backpressure).