Re: Performance Trends Newsletter (updates)

To: Visitors to Performance Trends Website

to visit www.performancetrends.com.

Subject: Product News/Updates, July 2014

1. Dyno DataMite v4.1 Released
2. EZ Flow Bench Check
3. Plus Version of Circle Track Log Book
4. Customers Like Our Stuff
5. JKM Flow Bench Bug Fixed
6. Protect Against Lightening Strikes
7. Media Mentions
8. Last June's Newsletter

-------------------------------------------

1)  Dyno DataMite v4.1 Released  We've wrapped up the User's Manual for the Dyno DataMite, which means we're also done adding major features to this Version 4.1.  The most current version of the Dyno DataMite software is v4.1 A.049.  Click on Help (at the top of the main screen), and then select About Dyno DataMite to see the complete version number of your program.

  for a copy of the v4.1 Supplement which lists all the major changes and updates for the Standard, Professional, and Enterprise Edition versions. 

Some recent improvements include:

    (click images to enlarge them)

  for a link to downloading the latest v4.1 A.049.  If you already own v4.1, this is a free update.  If you choose to install this latest version....  During the installation, when asked, select to do a Refresh installation instead of a Complete (typical) installation.  

  for a link to the Readme.doc file, listing all changes to the program for the various versions.

IMPORTANT:  If you do not have v4.1, this download could turn your older v3.7 into a demo version which could expire in 10 days.  If this happens, you will have to reinstall your v3.7 to get it working and you could lose some configuration settings (but not any test data).

You have to contact Performance Trends to do updates as these are not available via the website's shopping cart.    to send us an email. 

-------------------------------------------

2)  EZ Flow Bench Check  We've got lots of customers with EZ Flow systems who report very good results.  

We've surveyed some to see some trends in their bench calibrations.  This way we could come up with an approximate default calibration should you not want to go through the calibration with a know orifice plate.  It turns out that the equation for the Range #1 under Flow Ranges (right side of Flow Bench Specs screen) can be estimated as:

    Range #1 = 50 x Diameter ^ 2     (Diameter squared)

So, if your flow orifice inside the 4" or 6" PVC is, say, 2.5" diameter, the Range #1 for Intake or Exhaust should be about 312.5 CFM (50 x 2.5 x 2.5).  For a 3" orifice, it should be 450 CFM.  (Note:  This applies only to users with Black Box IIs from the past 4 years or so.  We don't have a default calibration for Black Box IIs where the plastic pressure ports stuck up through the top.)

  for info on our EZ Flow Kit to build a quick, electronic, and very accurate flow bench.

-------------------------------------------

3) Plus Version of Circle Track Log Book  We've added more features to the Plus version of our Circle Track Log Book.  Now the Plus version lets you keep separate records for up to 10 different cars.

  (click image to enlarge)

  for more info on the Circle Track Log Book, both standard and Plus versions.  At the bottom of this page is pricing info, a demo download button, and a button for "youtube" type movies. 

-------------------------------------------

4)  Customers Like Our Stuff  We keep getting ringing endorsements from various users, which we very much appreciate.  We add these to our "What our Users Say" page, with pics of their projects, dynos, cars, trucks, etc.

Steve Berg from Minnesota just received his DataMite Mini for his dyno and said the following:  "Thank you guys.  The DataMite mini works awesome.  It shows the littlest changes made to my animal engines.  It took me a year to pull the trigger to purchase your product and I shouldn't have.  It is a hundred times better then my old program. My hats off to your whole team. Thanks again."

  for a link to this page.  Honest, we're trying not to get a big head

-------------------------------------------

5)  JKM Flow Bench Bug Fixed  Our Port Flow Analyzer flow bench software works with most any type of flow bench you can find:  Orifice types like SuperFlow (tm) and our EZ Flow, benches with laminar air flow elements (LFE), benches with electronic MAF air meters, and pitot tube benches like the JKM.  The JKM bench recommends doing weather corrections.  Our experience had been that the weather corrections actually made the data LESS repeatable.  Well, in the last month, we had 2 new users say that the JKM weather correction was actually backward.  Instead of multiplying by the correction factor, you are suppose to divide by the correction factor (contrary to what the actual instructions say).  We looked at the math, and Yes, that makes much more sense. In the Port Flow Analyzer v3.5 B.032 or later, this weather correction is now being done correctly.   

  for a link to downloading the latest v3.5 B.033.  If you already own v3.5B, this is a free update.  If you choose to install this latest version....  During the installation, when asked, select to do a Refresh installation instead of a Complete (typical) installation.  This will maintain your unlock info, history log, preference settings, etc.

  for a link to the Readme.doc file, listing all changes to the program for the various versions.

IMPORTANT:  If you do not have v3.5B, this download could turn your older v3.5A into a demo version which could expire in 10 days.  If this happens, you will have to reinstall your v3.5A to get it working and you could lose some configuration settings (but not any test data).

You have to contact Performance Trends to do updates as these are not available via the website's shopping cart.    to send us an email. 

 -------------------------------------------
6)  Protect Against Lightening Strikes  About 2 or 3 times a year we get requests from customers with data loggers for a quote to replace their system.  Their computer and sometimes DataMite or Black Box II data loggers have been damaged by lightening.  

We don't have a good recommendation for this.  Surge protectors and UPS (not the brown trucks, but Uninterruptable Power Supply) can help, but be sure all devices (computer, monitor, printer, data logger, cable modem, A/F power supply, etc) are plugged into a surge protector.  If you miss one, that could be the weak link to letting a power surge in.  If the lightening strike is close, a surge protector may still not protect your system.  The best solution is to unplug electronics and your computer from the wall outlets when not being used for long periods of time, or when a storm is coming.

 -------------------------------------------
7) Media Mentions We've had some mentions in print media recently.  Here's links to a couple from Performance Racing Industry (PRI)  magazine: 

http://epub.performanceracing.com/publication/?i=210442&p=112  (our upcoming "On Engine" Spring Tester)

http://epub.performanceracing.com/publication/?i=217942&p=85  (Sensors)

 -------------------------------------------
8) Last June's Newsletter Here are the topics covered in our previous newsletter.  If you would like another copy of June 2014's newsletter for detail on these topics, visit our website at: Performance Trends Newsletters 

1. July 4th Holiday Schedule
2. Eddy Current Dyno Controllers In Stock
3. Cam Analyzer "Cam Grinder" Now Exports IGS Files
4. New Safety Feature for Automatic Spring Tester Software
5. Latest Inductive Pickups Have Adjustment Knob
6. Last March's Newsletter