Computech Systems EGT Plus 4100 Series User manual

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Introduction
The Computech Systems EGT Plus is designed to monitor exhaust gas, liquid, tire and track temperatures, and engine RPM.
It has the capability of recording when maximums occur, as well as recording readings at the beginning and end of a run.
Installation –Mounting
It is recommended that double-stick foam tape or hook and loop fastener such as Velcrobrand which is included, be used
to mount your Computech Systems EGT Plus.
Your Computech Systems EGT Plus may be installed anywhere that ignition noise is not a problem. Be sure to avoid close
proximity to ignition modules, coils, and spark plug wires. Direct exposure to the weather is also discouraged.
Obviously, you’ll need to mount the unit where your temperature probe cables can reach, possibly through the use of special
thermocouple wire extensions. If you plan on recording RPM, using a record switch, or connecting to your transbrake, keep
in mind that you’ll need to connect both the desired signal as well as a chassis (car battery) ground signal to the unit. Choose
your mounting location appropriately.
Operating Modes - Choose before wiring
Your Computech Systems EGT Plus may be operated in one of three modes. Before you complete your installation, it’s
best if you select which mode you would like to use. If you’re unsure, don’t worry too much. It’s fairly easy to re-wire
your Computech Systems EGT Plus for a different mode. Continuous mode, of course, may be used with any of the wiring
scenarios. Select from one of the following Computech Systems EGT Plus operating modes.
Continuous Mode
In continuous mode, your Computech Systems EGT Plus behaves like most other EGT monitors. It continually
monitors your EGT and RPM inputs, and continually takes note of the maximum reading.

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To reset the maximums and start over again, press and hold the “RESET” button until the LCD display acknowledges
the reset. If power is removed and restored, the previously noted maximums are remembered.
WARNING: In continuous mode, your EGT Plus will stay on forever or until the battery goes dead. If you have
both a battery inside the EGT Plus and external 12V power supplied, then be careful about the following scenario.
One evening in the shop or your garage, you might turn on the main auto kill switch for other purposes. This provides
12V to the EGT Plus and automatically wakes it up –something that a 9V level doesn’t do. Later, when you turn
that kill switch back off, the EGT Plus will remain on, powered by the 9V battery inside. It will then remain on until
it runs the battery dead! Don’t let this possible scenario catch you off guard with a dead battery.
Record Switch Mode
In record switch mode, you have the extra advantage of restricting the period of time over which maximums are
noted. For example, you might choose to only turn the record switch on while you’re on the track, intentionally
omitting possible maximums from burnouts or engine tests.
Each time you turn on the record switch, the old maximums are reset and new maximums are noted. You can press
and hold the “RESET” button to eliminate the old maximums, but this is not necessary.
If power is removed and restored while the record switch is off, the previously noted maximums are remembered. If
power is removed and restored while the record switch is on, the previously noted maximums are eliminated and a
new recording with new maximums is begun.
Transbrake Mode
In transbrake mode, you have not only the extra advantage of restricting the period of time over which maximums
are noted, you also have the advantage of gathering extra information at the beginning and end of your run, as well
as the time during the run at which each maximum occurred. That is, for each EGT and for the RPM, you’ll be able
to record: 1) the reading at the start of the run; 2) the maximum during the run; 3) when that maximum occurred
(independently for each input); and 4) the reading at the end of the run.
Before a run, you must press and hold the “RESET” button. Once the LCD display indicates “Ready to Run…”, your
Computech Systems EGT Plus is armed and ready to go. Whenever the transbrake is released, the unit will note the
beginning readings and start watching for new maximums. After the end of the pre-configured approximate E.T., the
unit will note the end readings and stop watching for new maximums.
If power is removed and restored, the previously noted maximums are normally remembered. However, if power is
removed and restored while the unit is in the process of recording a run, the recording will be terminated early and
may not contain valid information.
Installation –Wiring
WARNING: Do NOT connect the RPM input to a magneto
ignition without reading the instructions further below!
NOTE: Before wiring your Computech Systems EGT Plus, please
read the prior section about Operating Modes.

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NOTE: Before wiring your Computech Systems EGT Plus, please
read the section at the end of this manual entitled “Rules for
avoiding ignition (radio frequency) interference.”
NOTE: This unit may be configured from the factory for use with a
magneto ignition. When so configured, you can NOT power the unit
from the car battery –you must use an internal 9V battery. This
configuration can be changed, but may reduce the quality
(cleanliness) of the RPM pickup from the magneto ignition.
Wiring your Computech Systems EGT Plus is simple. Note that EGT cables are made of special wire, and use special
connectors. Substitutes are not acceptable. For best results with the other signals (RPM, Transbrake, Record Switch, Power,
Ground), use 18 to 22 gauge (AWG) stranded wire. Solid or smaller gauge wire is not recommended. Strip the insulation
on each wire back 1/4". At a minimum, twist the strands very tightly before inserting into the connector. For a better
connection, tin the wire with solder.
To record one or two EGT’s
Connect one (or two) temperature probe cables into the T1 (and T2) jack of the EGT Plus. Note that this jack accepts
the two prongs of the sub-miniature yellow K-thermocouple type plugs. These plugs are polarized, with one wide
prong and one skinny prong. The EGT Plus accepts the plug with the skinny prong toward the top.
Connecting a chassis (car battery) ground
If you plan on recording RPM, triggering off your transbrake, using a record switch, or powering the EGT Plus from
your car battery, then a chassis (car battery) ground wire is required. Otherwise, no such connection is required.

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If you need a chassis (car battery) ground signal, then connect it to the indicated terminal on the EGT Plus, using the
green pluggable header provided. On the EGT Plus end, be sure to strip the wire back only 1/4”, and be sure that it
is firmly held by the pluggable header set screw. Also, pay careful attention to the proper orientation of the green
plug. Plug it into the EGT Plus temporarily in order to be certain that you’re running the ground wire to the correct
place.
To record RPM (non-Magneto ignition)
Follow these instructions for recording RPM with an ignition that is NOT a magneto. Note that both the RPM wire
and a chassis (car battery) ground wire are required.
After connecting the chassis (car battery) ground signal, connect the RPM signal to the indicated terminal on the EGT
Plus. The best place to pick up the RPM signal is from the same wire that drives your tachometer. Otherwise, use
the “Tach” output of your ignition system. If you do not have either of these available, contact Computech Systems
technical support to get information about a tach output generator for your car.
To record RPM (Magneto ignition)
Follow these instructions for recording RPM with a magneto ignition. Note that both the RPM wire and a chassis
(car battery) ground wire are required.
WARNING: Never connect any wire directly from your
magneto ignition to the Computech Systems EGT Plus!
Doing so can cause permanent damage to the EGT Plus.
Due to the extremely high voltages produced by magneto ignitions, an adapter is required between the EGT Plus and
your magneto ignition. This adapter simply reduces the voltage before it reaches the EGT Plus.

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NOTE: If you did not receive the Magneto Adapter, then
request one from Computech Systems via 800-870-8383 or
www.computechracing.com.
NOTE: The Magneto Adapter is actually simply a 100K
resistor of size ½ Watt or larger.
However, if you have a normal non-magneto type tachometer in your car already, being driven by a magneto tach
adapter of some kind, such as the one from MSD, then this adapter is ALREADY doing the high voltage protection.
In this case, you can wire your EGT Plus RPM input directly to the same wire as your tachometer RPM input. In
fact, it is recommended that you pick up power, ground, and RPM DIRECTLY from the back of your tachometer.
(See the “Rules for avoiding ignition (radio frequency) interference” near the end of these instructions.) Note that
this short cut, not using the Magneto Adapter, is only appropriate if you have some other adapter between your
tachometer and magneto. If your tachometer is connected directly to your magneto, then the tachometer itself must
have the voltage protection inside, and you’re back to the case of needing the Magneto Adapter from Computech
Systems.
Using the Magneto Adapter, after connecting the chassis (car battery) ground signal, connect the RPM signal from
the EGT Plus to the Magneto Adapter, and then connect the Magneto Adapter to the “kill” or “lighting” wire of your
magneto. While the adapter is provided with convenient connectors, the orientation of the adapter does not matter.
NOTE: Your Magneto Adapter may have two bare wires
rather than the ring connector illustrated above. Please
mount your Magneto Adapter as close to the magneto as
possible. This reduces ignition noise transmitted into the air
from the long wire, and thus reduced ignition interference
with this and other computer equipment.
To power your EGT Plus from your car battery
NOTE: When the EGT Plus is configured for use with a
magneto, you CAN NOT power it from your car; you MUST
use an internal 9V battery.
To power your EGT Plus from your car battery, both the positive battery and a chassis (car battery) ground wire are
required.
After connecting the chassis (car battery) ground signal, connect positive battery power to the indicated terminal on
the EGT Plus. This may be any voltage between 9V and 12V. Note that it is indeed safe to power from the car with
a 9V battery inside the unit. As long as the car battery is higher than the 9V battery, the car battery will be used. If
the unit is unplugged from the car, the internal 9V battery will automatically take over.

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WARNING: On some cars, if you use both the car battery and the internal 9V battery, then the 9V battery
might later supply power to you ignition and prevent it from turning off. If this occurs, then REMOVE and
DO NOT USE the internal 9V battery.
To record using a record switch
For using a record switch, both the record signal and a chassis (car battery) ground wire are required.
After connecting the chassis (car battery) ground signal, connect a wire from your record switch to the indicated
terminal on the EGT Plus. The other side of the record switch MUST be connected to your car battery signal. The
record switch will not function properly if this other side is connected to ground. Also, while this other side may be
connected to the EGT Plus power terminal, doing so without also connecting it to the car battery will not work. The
EGT Plus power terminal will accept power coming in, but it will not produce power going out. Recording will occur
while the switch is in the CLOSED position.
To record automatically using your transbrake signal
For using the transbrake, both the transbrake and a chassis (car battery) ground wire are required.
After connecting the chassis (car battery) ground signal, connect your transbrake wire to the indicated terminal on the
EGT Plus

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Sensor Installation
Weld-In Style Sensor #4110:
1. Select the header tube in which you wish to mount the sensor.
2. Measure a spot 1-1/4 inches from the header flange. If more than one probe is to be mounted, it is important
that all probes be located the same distance from the header flange. This will allow for comparison from cylinder
to cylinder.
3. Once the spot has been located, drill a 5/16 inch (.3125") diameter hole in the header pipe.
4. Center the weld-in weldment on the hole and weld to the header pipe a full 360 degrees.
5. Coat the 1/8" pipe threads on the compression fitting liberally with anti-seize and install the compression fitting
into the weldment and tighten.
6. Now, using a marker or pencil, make a mark on the probe that is half the diameter of the header pipe plus one-
inch (the length of the weldment and the compression fitting) from the exposed tip of the probe. Verify this depth
by visual inspection into the pipe. Probe should be at least 1/2” into the header pipe.
7. Slip the compression nut (with the cup side to the exposed tip of the probe) and the ferrule onto the probe.
8. Insert the probe into the compression-fitting base to the point where the ferrule and the line on the probe come
together. This will insure that the probe is in the middle of the exhaust stream and will set the ferrule on the probe
sheath.
9. While holding the probe in place, tighten the compression nut down tight. Make certain that the
thermocouple is in its proper position prior to tightening the compression nut.
10. Loosen the compression nut to the point that the probe will turn, and, if room permits, align the transition
spring and the lead wire at a 90-degree angle from the exhaust pipe. This will position the sender tip correctly in
the exhaust stream.
11. Re-tighten the compression nut to secure the probe.
Clamp-On Style Sensor #4115:
1. Select the header tube in which you wish to mount the probe.
2. Measure a spot about 1-1/4 inches from the header flange. If more than one probe is to be mounted, it is
important that all probes be located the same distance from the header flange. This will allow for comparison from
cylinder to cylinder.
3. Once a spot has been located, drill a 1/4 inch (.250”) inch diameter hole in the header tube.
4. Insert probe into hole and snug it to the header using the band clamp.
5. If room permits, align the transition spring and lead wire at a 90-degree angle from the exhaust pipe. This will
position the sender tip correctly in the exhaust stream.
6. Tighten the band around the exhaust header pipe.
Thermocouple Extension Wire Installation:
1. Route the thermocouple extension wire to the EGT monitor location in the cockpit. Route the wire away from
areas of high heat and from areas where the wire could be vulnerable to damage.
2. The thermocouple extension wire may be shortened if required. Cut the wire to the desired length and
carefully cut the stainless steel over braid back approximately 1". Shrink tubing should be used over the cable
where it exits the connector to make for a neater installation. Make certain that the overbraid in no way comes
in contact with the wire terminals in the connector. Strip the RED wire back approximately 1/4"and connect to

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the minus (-) terminal in the connector. Repeat the process for the YELLOW wire and connect to the positive
(+) terminal. NOTE: Only this wire can be utilized, substitution of a different wire will affect the operation of
the monitor.
REMEMBER - The RED wire must be connected to the Minus (-) terminal and the YELLOW wire must be
connected to the Positive (+) terminal.
3. DO NOT HARNESS THE EXTENSION WIRE TIGHTLY. Make long sweeping bends and loosely guide
the extension wire to the instrument. This will allow the wire to absorb the vibration along the wire's length.
Initial Configuration
Before using your Computech Systems EGT Plus, a simple initial configuration is required. Press and hold the “POWER”
button until you see the configuration menu option for number of cylinders. To advance to the next configuration menu
option, simply press the “POWER” button again (you may notice that below the “POWER” button is the word “Menu”).
NOTE: To change between using a magneto and a non-
magneto ignition, please see the Ignition Configuration
section further below.
Cylinders
This one’s easy. Simply select the appropriate number of cylinders for your engine.
Redline
If you’re recording RPM, it’s important to properly configure your redline. The unit will be able to record a RPM up
to 25% beyond the configured redline. Any spark or ignition signals that are received closer together than that are
assumed to be noise and are ignored. Since this kind of noise is very common, it’s important to accurately set your
redline. Otherwise, you’re likely to get erratic RPM readings. Tachometers don’t need this kind of setting because
they actually don’t react very fast to RPM changes, and so random noise pulses aren’t noticed. Even tachometers
with telltales, whether mechanical or electrical, are able to ignore these fast changes due to noise. However, for the
most accurate computer recording of your RPM, this information is very important.
Mode
Select “Continuous”, “Record Swt”, or “Transbrake”. See the instructions for Operating Modes for details.
Note at
This configuration menu option will only appear if you’ve selected “Transbrake” mode. It allows you to make a note
of the readings at any time during the run, prior to the “End at” time. Enter the number of seconds from the beginning
of the run until that time you would like to note. For example, you may pick a time close to your expected first
gearshift in order to make a note of the readings at that time.

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End at
This configuration menu option will only appear if you’ve selected “Transbrake” mode. Enter the number of seconds
for a typical run. It will be exactly this long after the transbrake is released that your Computech Systems EGT Plus
makes a note of your end-of-run EGT and RPM readings. Don’t worry if your E.T. doesn’t match exactly. Near the
end of your run, the EGT and RPM readings won’t be changing very rapidly. By allowing you to explicitly set this
time, difficulties with automatic end-of-run detection are avoided, and you have a highly reliable, repeatable engine
diagnostic tool.
Operation:
NOTE: If you have strange or unexpected behavior of your Computech Systems EGT Plus,
it could be due to ignition (radio frequency) interference. Please read the section at the end
of this manual entitled “Rules for avoiding ignition (radio frequency) interference.”
So now you’ve installed your Computech Systems EGT Plus, determined the operating mode you want to use, wired up the
unit, and set the initial configuration. Now time to actually put the EGT Plus to use.
Power On/Off
When powering from the internal 9V battery, you can turn the unit on or off at any time by pressing the “POWER”
button. However, if connected to your car battery (at 11V or higher), the unit will turn itself on, by design.
LCD Backlight
When powering from the internal 9V battery, the LCD backlight will come on for a few seconds, each time that you
press a button. This is a battery power conservation feature. However, if connected to your car battery (at 11V or
higher), the LCD backlight will stay on continuously.
HELP –Bad EGT cabling or temperature too high
If an EGT probe is not connected, or if that probe temperature is too high, then the word “HELP” is displayed instead
of an EGT reading. “Not connected” includes the possibility that one of the EGT cable wires is broken or
disconnected. The normal maximum reading is just above 1800F.
If the EGT probe or wiring has the wires reversed, then a reading between 32F and ambient will be displayed,
regardless of the actual temperature. If you see the reading start at ambient and go DOWN as the temperature goes
up, then you have the wires swapped somewhere!
Recording
First, you need some readings. In Continuous mode, you’re getting them all the time. In Record Switch mode, you’ll
need to turn on the record switch on for a while, and then off. In Transbrake mode, you MUST first reset the unit by
pressing and holding the “RESET” button. Then, upon release of the transbrake signal, the unit will start recording
for the pre-configured amount of time.

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Viewing Readings
Whether you’ve recorded any maximums or not, you can always view the current readings for EGT and/or RPM.
Whenever the LCD says “Now” in the top left corner, you’re viewing current readings.
To view the maximum readings recorded, simply press the “TELLTALE” button (repeatedly) until the LCD says
“Max” in the top left corner. While viewing the maximums, you can press and hold the “Time” button. After a
moment, those maximum readings on the LCD will be temporarily replaced by the time at which they occurred. Note,
however, that these time readings are only applicable for Record Switch or Transbrake mode.
In Transbrake mode, you can also view the readings as of the beginning or end of your run. Simply press the
“TELLTALE” button (repeatedly) until the LCD says either “Begin” or “End” in the top left corner.
Reset
By pressing and holding the “RESET” button, you can make your Computech Systems EGT Plus eliminate the
maximums it has recorded so far. Ifin Continuous mode, it will start recording new maximums right away. In Record
Switch or Transbrake mode, it will wait until you start recording.
Factory Reset
Pressing and holding the “RESET” button while powering up the unit will cause the EGT Plus to “Factory Reset”.
The unit will power up, blink off, and then power back up. All previously recorded information and user defined set-
up information will be erased and the EGT Plus will return to the original factory set-up.
Anticipated Exhaust Gas Temperatures
Monitor the exhaust gas temperature and carefully make tuning adjustments as required to obtain the desired exhaust gas
temperature. In general terms, methanol temperatures range from 1000 degrees to 1200 degrees; gasoline ranges from
1250 degrees to 1500 degrees, and E85 is around 1250 degrees. Consult with your engine builder to determine what an
appropriate exhaust gas temperature for your engine combination is, the fuel you are using, and the engine air inlet
temperature. Many things affect the exhaust gas temperature such as: fuel, jetting, engine inlet air temperature,
ignition timing, compression ratio, coolant temperature, etc. BE CAREFUL - EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATURES
THAT ARE TOO HIGH CAN CAUSE SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE!!! All tuning changes should be made very
carefully and with the advice of your engine builder.
Ignition Configuration –Magneto or Non-Magneto?
Your EGT Plus can be configured for use with either a magneto or non-magneto ignition. This configuration has to do
with noise and the quality of the RPM reading; as opposed to the ABILITY to be used with a magneto or non-magneto.
The ABILITY to be used with a magneto depends on use of the magneto adapter (protector) mentioned in the installation
section.
NOTE: Opening the case and changing this configuration is a violation of the warranty,
unless you contact Computech Systems first!
In order to change the configuration, the case must be opened up by removing the hook-and-loop fastener from the back of
the unit and removing the screws. Doing this without first consulting Computech Systems is a violation of the warranty.