Thread: D2 ACE speed signal modifier

Graeme, Having just purchased a D2 two weeks ago this ACE is all new to me. Can you please explain what this rough road function is, as well as any other functions?

ACE's rough road function detects when a vehicle is travelling over rough ground from the signals obtained from the 2 accelerometers. The bars will be partly or fully relaxed as necessary (they are usually locked unless cornering when they will progressively push against the lean) to make the vehicle ride more smoothly, as long as its not cornering hard and the speed is less than 40 kph. The general idea is good although because the vehicle stops rocking when the bars are relaxed, the bars are locked again because ACE thinks the road is now smooth so the ride cycles between rough and smooth, but better than always rough. Unlocked is smoothest but handling through corners is woeful by comparison and lack of push against the lean going through S bends is not something to be without, because it is so good.

I found that with the 40 kph limit removed the ride on country roads can be significantly improved to the extent that I almost always used that option, only returning to standard operation if I wanted to travel particularly quickly around sharp bends. Rough road allows more lean because it allows more lateral acceleration.

My rough road setting removes the 40 kph limit by providing a 35 kph signal for speeds above 35 kph. The bars-unlocked setting provides a 2 kph signal, although that's going to be speed limited by default to around 40 or 50 kph (not decided yet - opinions welcome!) after which, if not disabled by a pcb jumper, either the actual speed or rough road speed will be used if set by an alternate pcb jumper. I suspect that speed limited then rough road would be the best configuration.

Graeme, This is how I deciphered your explanation. When rough road setting is activated, the vehicle will ride better on a rough country road in a straight line, but the ACE will not work when cornering. Is this correct?

I know this next question is impossible to answer. How much difference does this make to the ride?

ACE still operates to push against the lean when cornering in its rough road mode, its just that the system allows a bit more flexibility - not quite so sports car like.

I wanted ACE on my 2nd D2 because I didn't like the rigidity of the standard ARBs on my 1st to the extent that I permanently removed a link from a front bar. I was quite dissapointed to discover the ride was worse with ACE due to the much stiffer bars that were locked in a straght line, so set about creating a solution. After fitting my modification I occasionally would switch back to standard to remind me just how much better the ride was. I was also driving my 84 RRC which has no bars and the RRC rode so much more smoothly than standard ACE so the RRC was my yardstick. Very occasionally I would encounter a particularly rough section of highway where standard ACE or bars unlocked rode better at speed.

I found tracks with pot-holes were so much smoother with bars unlocked because wheels could drop into depressions and rise over bumps without trying to take the chassis with it.

Edit: With rough road enabled the first few bumps of a rough patch were felt then the vehicle would float over the rest, as long as the patch wasn't so long that rough road handling would be ended causing the next few bumps to be felt.

Where's the switch mount? I like the concept and capability it will offer, but hate the idea of scaring the dash of the HSE obtrusively.

Me too, I'm discussing a way to use smaller switches with Graeme.

I'll be able to provide either the module with the rotary switch (Jaycar SR1212 a double pole, setup as on-off-on with attached LED) or the module with a miniature SPDT toggle switch & LED that can, if desired, be replaced with an equivalent switch or even 2 SPST switches, 1 for each option. The rotary switch uses 3 wires & 3 pin connector whereas a single pole switch and LED will use 4 wires & 4 pin connector and be programmed accordingly.

Graeme,

After spending the morning at Jaycar, I found a SPST switch, the SK0975. It's a mini sized switch that will fit into the blanks that surround the instrument binnacle or alternately in the extra switch panel that will replace the coin/ash tray. It has three locations, I'm planning on using two for switched and the third for the LED indicators.