Andre: Hey guys, it's Andre
from the High Performance Academy.
We're here with Ziggy from Zeitronix
and we just wanted to talk to Ziggy
about one of their new ethanol content analyzers.
Now Zeitronix are no strangers
to ethanol content analyzers.
They've already been awarded similar awards
for their existing ethanol content analyzer.
Now with cars these days running
more and more sit outs with flicks fuel,
it's really important to understand the content
of ethanol and your fuel system
and Zeitronix have made that nice and easy.
So first of all, Ziggy,
can you tell us about the sensor that's being used?
What's the output from that particular sensor
and how does it tell your computer
or your system what the ethanol content is?
Ziggy: The ethanol content sensor outputs
a frequency and a duty cycle signal
which unfortunately is not understandable
to most ECU's.
However, we do have an ECA-2
which takes a signal from that sensor
and that output and 05 volt analog signal
proportional to the ethanol content.
Zero volt being 0%, 5 volt being 100% ethanol.
Andre: So you're basically taking
a frequency input from the ethanol content sensor
and then internally you're turning that signal
into the analog output,
which is then scaled accordingly, correct?
Ziggy: That is absolutely correct.
Moreover we add an output for the fuel temperature,
so when you have a cold start issue,
you can also tie that into the ECU,
you know, after market or stock in the place
of your coolant temp, intake temp sensor
just to cover the cold start
and adjust your fuel timing maps accordingly
to get this car going right off the bat.
Andre: So, you've already won awards
for your existing ethanol content analyzer,
so can you tell us about what
your new product does?
What's different?
Ziggy: Yeah, we're really pleased.
See my awarded us twice for our previous ECA
and we have a new version of it,
which basically replaces the old one
to the extent, doesn't have a gauge.
Doesn't have to show you a number,
but it's tied to the sensor into this
after market stock ECU.
So, it's all about this analog voltage output,
although if you wish you can tie it a gauge
which we offer and kind of come back
into older set-up, functionality
and cover both basis.
So the ECU gets a signal it can understand
and you get a number you can understand.
Andre: So, I take it we've seen a lot of customers
or a lot of people around the world
that have been using the Zeitronix ethanol content analyzer
and installing it along with
a flex fuel capable ECA, such as,
maybe the Keltic or the EKT set-up
and then installation, it's not really critical
for the person driving the car
to see what the ethanol contents amount is
so this is to take that away basically.
I'm assuming you've cut the cost of the product
down a little bit and taken that display
out of the equation, yes?
Ziggy: Definitely correct.
And you know today, quite often the driver
driving down the mountain doesn't really care
what is in the tank,
however the tuner does.
Or even more important, quite often
the shops which tune the cars on the Dino,
they would like to know when the customer
comes in in the tank.
It doesn't have to be 85.
I'm not sure what's happening in New Zealand,
but we've seen here variations of E40 to E92
where E85 tune being having and aggressive timing
and quite often a lot of positive manifold pressure.
Where if you end up with an E40 or E50
you're definitely in trouble,
so it's a wonderful fuel,
but you really need to know what's in a tank
in a given time.
Either just for the ECU to adjust the timing
and the fuel maps or even for you to check
what the gas station is giving you in a given day.
Andre: I think there's 2 sides to that as well, yes?
There's definitely a variation in the ethanol content
that's coming in the fuel straight from the fuel stations
and the other problem we see is where people
are running 2 different types of fuel.
Maybe they've got a tune for pump fuel
and then they've got a separate tune for E85.
If you're changing to the E85 you may end up
with some pump fuel left in the tank
effectively diluting your ethanol content,
so the ECA will tell you exactly where you are
or at least this one will tell your ECU.
Ziggy: That's absolutely correct.
Empty fuel tank may hold as much
as 2-2 1/2 gallons of regular gas, regular petrol,
so if you get E70 which is completely lead all,
you may end up with something like E60 or E62
and that may not suit your aggressive tune.
You could end up in big trouble.
We've seen another problem once in a while
when it's not an E70, E85 mix,
but unfortunately the fuel tanker trucks,
they have the same fitting for older pipes
coming out of the ground,
so once in a while mistakes happen
and we've seen the fuel from a tanker truck,
regular petrol being dumped into the E85 inlet.
At least that's what we expect when we see E40.
We wouldn't blame the refinery to blame the E40,
but most likely what happened,
we see the wrong fuel end up in the wrong hose.
Andre: So these new ethanol content analyzers
without the display, what's the price point
for that product?
Ziggy: It's about $190 for ECA-2
and if you want to kit it with the sensors
and the gauge it's about $370 street price.
Andre: Great product.
Thanks for taking the time to talk to us.
We'll let you get back to it.
Ziggy: Thank you very much for your time.
I appreciate it.
We'll see you at [unintelligible] here.
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