Dear friends, the moment has come when it’s time to put 2 projects to automate the setup of 4th generation gas equipment from Lovato and OMVL on the main page of the portal. Long work and discussion on the forum have yielded results, now mass testing on different cars is necessary. For those who are not in the know, I will tell you a brief history of this whole matter.
User Sergei encountered the problem of not quite accurately setting up LPG on his Lexus RX. After not entirely successful trips to the service, he began to delve into this topic himself. The problem was solved, but an idea came up - to create a service for automatically processing trip data and receiving approximate correction factors in the map. As a result, a trial version appeared - a macro for automatically configuring Lovato gas equipment, executed by Excel. The first versions only worked with the load, but taking into account the wishes of the users, Sergey redesigned the macro and now it began to process data, taking into account the load and speed.
Lovato automatic data processing macro for Excel.
How to use a macro.
First, you need to record trip files on gasoline and gas. To reduce the error, roll files under other equal conditions (same road, driving in 4 gears, smooth acceleration).
How to record a trip file in Lovato.
How to record a trip file in the OMVL program. (Clause 6.1 Acquisitions)
1. Drive for 50 kilometers on gasoline so that the adaptation of the gasoline unit returns to normal.
2. Record a file of a trip on gasoline.
3. Record a gas trip file.
Working with files
Three files:
1. Saved when driving on gasoline (should be called Benz.txt)
2. Saved when driving on gas (should be called GAZ.txt)
3. Main file for calculations Lovato.xlsm
All three files must be in the same folder.
1. Run the file Lovato.xlsm,
2. If the message “Enable content?” pops up. - turn on,
3. press the green “Start” button.
4. We are waiting.
Above is the data that can be changed:
- 2 from - (for the first column ms), i.e. we set from what time to watch (in this case 2 ms)
- 10 to - (for the first ms column), i.e. we set until what time to watch (in this case 10 ms)
- 0.5 — grid step (for the first column), i.e. 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, etc.
- 0.05 - delta according to injection times is minus, looks at the error in choosing a number, can be changed
- 0.05 - delta according to injection times is a plus, looks at the error in choosing a number, can be changed
- 4500 — Maximum revolutions, the value of revolutions up to which the calculation will be made.
- 50 — delta by revolutions minus
- 50 - delta by revolutions plus
- 0.00 — MAP delta minus
- 0.00 — MAP delta is positive
How to work with delta. We set the delta to 0.001 (the lower the more accurate), we run it, if the data appears, then everything is OK. If not, then increase Delta.
The result in the table below is how much to change the gas supply in%.
Installation and configuration
The simplicity of the design of the 1st generation gas equipment allows you to install it yourself. And many whose “hands grew out of the right place” do this quite successfully. Installation and connection diagram consists of installing a gas tank, reducer, gas lines, mixer, electrical wiring with a button.
Problems, even if the installation is done very well, arise during operation.
The fact is that the traffic police inspector has the right to suspend the operation of such a vehicle. The installation of gas equipment is considered a change in the design of the vehicle and must be properly documented, i.e. a corresponding note must be made in the vehicle documents. And the mark is made on the basis of documents that can only be provided by organizations that are licensed and certified for the installation of gas equipment. And it doesn’t matter what generation of HBO is installed.
Data processing web service.
Online service LOVATO and OMVL gas equipment adjustment of gas equipment from Andrey Petrov (Auto-S Company, Installation and adjustment of gas equipment in Yekaterinburg)
Description
The Internet service https://test.propan96.ru was created to automate the process of setting up the injection map of gas equipment on AEB control units. The LOVATO and OMVL systems are currently supported. More similar systems will be added in the future.
The Internet service allows you to fine -tune the HBO without using diagnostic equipment (OBDII scanner, etc.). For its operation, only 2 files are required, which can be created directly in the LPG setup : a file for a trip on gasoline (20-25 minutes) and a file for a trip on gas (20-25 minutes). The operating algorithm of the Internet service is based on comparing the gasoline injection time in different engine operating modes on gasoline and gas. The program fully uses all the data from the 3D injection map: Engine speed, injection time, manifold vacuum (MAP).
The result of the program is a copy of the table from the HBO diagnostic program, which indicates by what percentage and in which cells you need to change the coefficients for the correct operation of the HBO.
ATTENTION: Before making any changes to the injection map, save the firmware from the block (configuration file) to your computer!!!
Review of Lovato gearbox models
Lovato is the oldest company specializing in the production of LPG. This is a family-owned Italian company that has adopted the principle of “lean production”, when every detail is made with a minimum of losses, with the highest quality and eliminates the appearance of defects. That is why the price of a Lovato LPG reducer may be lower than its analogues, but higher in terms of quality characteristics. The diagnostic cable connectors to the Lovato gas equipment are universal; repair kits for the Lovato gas reducer can be purchased in any city.
The range of gearboxes of this company is represented by the following products for engines with injectors and carburetors, for different temperature conditions.
Modern gearboxes for propane gas equipment
Modern gearboxes for propane gas equipment from Lovato have practically no analogues in terms of compactness and reliability. The devices are among the most popular:
- Lpg/gpl reducer Lovato rgj-2L. installed on cars with 4 cylinders, for propane systems. They are connected to gas cylinder kits of the fourth generation, and even to systems of the 5th generation. It has the best characteristics in its class in terms of stable gas fuel pressure levels. This is one type of single-stage device. The 4th generation Lovato LPG reducer is equipped with an electromagnetic valve and a device for purifying the gas mixture at a low temperature. Built-in temperature sensor RGJ 421053. Very compact in size. Replacing the repair kit is not difficult.
- Lovato Easy Fast RGJ uhp is made specifically for powerful 6-8 cylinder cars. The designers took care to use it in cold winter conditions. The emphasis in the design of the Lovato Easy fast RGJ hp device is on power characteristics and good heat transfer. Equipped with a solenoid valve and a large gas filter. The dimensions are also quite massive. There is no need to modify anything; it copes with its functions independently.
- Lovato RGJ-rgj-2l DD works great in winter, with poor gas quality, designed for engines up to 100 kW. The automotive gearbox has a single-stage design and has a double membrane (Lovato’s own development) for systems with sequential injection of a propane-butane mixture. Has a solenoid valve and an enlarged filter.
On a note! There is no need to drain condensate from the 4th generation Lovato gearbox. The design does not provide for a drain; all condensate, as planned by the developers, goes into the combustion chamber for processing.
For methane gas equipment
Lovato products for methane gas treatment are manufactured strictly in accordance with European standards and Russian Technical Regulations:
- RMJ gearbox with a two-stage circuit for connection to engines with sequential methane injection. Between the first and second pressure reduction barriers there is an electronic valve as well as an inlet filter. The methane pressure is equalized by engine decompression.
- Lovato RMJ-3.2S - for methane gas and sequential injection engines. It has an electric shut-off valve with a filter, as well as a pressure gauge showing how much methane is left in the cylinder. Automatically equalizes gas pressure.
On a note! Gas pressure equalization devices from Lovato ensure smooth engine operation due to high precision settings and enhanced quality control at every stage of product assembly.
Lovato 2nd generation electronic gearboxes
Lovato gearboxes of the 2nd generation are in particular demand among Russian car owners. These are reliable devices that can last up to 2-3 years without overhaul. Overhauling the Lovato gas reducer is usually required due to low-quality fuel. Using the Lovato gearbox repair kit and a pair of keys, you can do this yourself:
- The 2nd generation LPG gearbox Lovato RGV090 is considered a classic propane two-stage gearbox for carburetor engines. The main mechanisms are an electric starter and a gear screw for adjustment. The gas fuel pressure is regulated by vacuum. A time-tested, reliable device for the first and second generations of HBO.
- The 2nd generation Lovato gas reducer RGE220 is designed for connection to carburetor and injection vehicles. Consists of a solenoid valve and an adjusting screw. The highest quality ensures smooth running of the car on gas.
- The Lovato RGV140 vacuum reducer is chosen for 190 hp vehicles. With. with carburetors. The vacuum membrane does not allow gas to pass through during an unplanned engine stop, as a reaction to a change in pressure in the intake manifold.
- Lovato RGE090 with a cast aluminum body works with carbureted and fuel-injected engines up to 122 hp. The gas mixture output is blocked during an emergency engine stop using a fuel type switch with the corresponding function (purchased separately).
Is it worth installing HBO on your car?
Installing HBO on your car is a completely individual matter, but still, such a decision is justified.
Gas is much cheaper than conventional fuel and this is already one of the reasons to switch to it. The second is, of course, environmental friendliness.
The gas burns almost completely, leaving behind no harmful emissions or toxic substances, and significantly less carbon deposits are formed. Gaseous fuel does not harm the engine at all and does not cause frequent breakdowns, and most problems associated with valves and pistons are rather a problem of saving on fuel and maintenance. The only disadvantage of HBO is that it requires constant and timely adjustment, especially at the beginning of a new season.
Gear settings
Repair, namely adjustment, of the gearbox requires orientation in its settings. Propane analogues usually have two regulators, but there are also one. Methane type gearboxes are almost always characterized by one regulator. In their management, these settings are the most problematic.
Repair for the gas generation of gearboxes with one unique setting involves manipulation exclusively with the pressure of the transmitted gas.Lovato gearbox Vehicle owners with particular enthusiasm prefer to “tighten up” the pressure themselves. Having set the only correct and, what is very important, true pressure value, the fuel reducer alone will make it possible to limit gas consumption at operating power due to an element called the greed screw.
Repair has some difficulties when the screw is in the “closed” position. To maintain idle speed in this case, it is necessary to increase the pressure, the process of which involves:
- Checking the gearbox before tuning, namely, whether the “greed screw” is open.
- After the previous stage has been completed, adjustment work can begin.
Lovato gearbox design
Which system should you choose?
There are several leading producers of HBO in the world, one of which is Lovato. The equipment has a fairly high build quality, as well as high performance indicators. A particular advantage is the electronic control unit, which calculates all readings with excellent accuracy and very rarely fails. You can also note the compactness of this installation, in comparison, for example, with BRC equipment. It is worth choosing LPG for a specific type of gas, that is, either for liquefied propane or for compressed compressed methane. By the way, when using propane, gasoline injectors can be used, since the density and consistency of the gas is close to gasoline. When working with compressed gas, it is necessary to use special gas injectors.
Features of operating equipment manufactured by Lovato
It should be remembered that Lovato gas equipment should be serviced exclusively in specialized service centers that are equipped with everything necessary. At the same time, there are HBOs for both carburetor and injection cars, so the equipment can be freely installed on all types of vehicles. Gas coming from a cylinder under a pressure of about 16 atm undergoes special cleaning through a filter, after which it enters the gearbox, where it is reduced to 1 atm, after which the finished mixture is supplied to gas injectors for injection into the engine cylinders.
