RayTech Automotive LambdaKing MkII Air Fuel Ratio Tuning Gauge Instruction Manual

RayTech Automotive LambdaKing MkII Air Fuel Ratio Tuning Gauge Instruction Manual

Application

The LambdaKing MkII is an automotive workshop tool for measuring the oxygen content of the exhaust gas. The LambdaKing MkII will work with any piston engine running on gasoline, diesel, LPG, E85 and methanol. The device comes with a LSU4.9 wide band sensor that can be inserted into an existing M18x1.5 socket in the vehicle’s exhaust or into the weld-on socket that is supplied with the kit.

The LambdaKing MkII is designed to provide a compact, easy to use and economical exhaust gas analyzer for home and workshop use.

This Instruction Manual must be read in conjunction with the Workshop Manual of the vehicle before using the LambdaKing MkII. Before proceeding the user should, as a minimum, be familiar with the the device, understand the air to fuel ratio concept, and have working knowledge of adjusting the vehicle’s fuel system.

CAUTION

1. Inappropriate adjustments to the fuel system can lead to major engine damage.
2. The Wideband Sensor will become hot enough to cause burns or start a fire when connected to a power supply.

Features

1. Australian designed and manufactured.
2. High quality and robust housing.
3. Digital display for Lambda and AFR reading.
4. Bar indicator.
5. Selectable Lambda or AFR Readout.
6. Selectable fuel type (Gasoline, Diesel, LPG, E85, Methanol)
7. No separate battery required.
8. Reverse polarity protection.
9. Auto calibration function at startup.
10. 1-year limited warranty for the original Purchaser.

The package includes:

• 1 x LambdaKing MkII device, c/w integrated power and sensor leads.
• 1 x LSU 4.9 Wide Band Oxygen Sensor.
• 1 x M18 x 1.5 socket.
• 1 x M18 x 1.5 plug.
• 1 x Tool Pouch.
• 1 x User manual.

Device Description

1. 30 segment Bar Display – Graphical display of the air to fuel ratio (AFR). Range: Lambda 0.75- 1.25. The two centre led segments will be lit a stoichiometric point (Lambda=1). The leftmost LED will be lit for Lambda values of 1.25 and greater.
2. Main Display – Shows the current AFR or Lambda (selectable). Range (0.75 – 6.50)
3. Pushbutton Mode – Select Lambda or AFR mode.
4. Pushbutton Fuel – Select fuel type.
5. LEDs on the front panel indicate the current operating mode of the device.
6. Power Cable – Connects to the vehicle’s battery or external battery to provide power to the LambdaKing MkII.
7. Sensor Cable – Connects the Wide Band Sensor to the LambdaKing MkII.
8. LSU 4.9 Sensor – Wide band sensor; Screws into the M18 x 1.5 socket on the exhaust, connects to the sensor cable connector.
9. M18 x 1.5 Socket – Stainless steel socket for welding onto the exhaust.
10. M18 x 1.5 Plug – For plugging the socked when the wide Band Sensor is not connected.

Figure 1 – Device Overview

Connections

Figure 2 below shows the LambdaKing MkII connected to the wideband sensor and battery.

Figure 2 – Connection Schematic

Air-to Fuel ratio and Lambda

The stoiciometric ratio is the combustion of fuel with exactely the correct amount of air. For instance it takes 14.7 kg of air to fully combust 1 kg of gasoline, in which case the Air-To-Fuel (AFR) is 14.7. The stoiciometric ratio is different between fuel types; a list of ratios for fuel types covered by the LamdaKing MkII is given in the table below.

An air to fuel ratio greater than stoiciometric ratio is referred to as a ‘lean’ mixture (ie 15.8 on a gasoline engine), whereas an AFR below the stoiciometric ratio is a ‘rich’ mixture (ie 12.9 on a gasoline engine .

The air–fuel equivalence ratio, λ (lambda), is the ratio of actual AFR to the ideal stoichiometic mixture:

= Air to fuel ratio / Stoiciometric ratio
For instance, say an engine running on methanol produces and AFR of 7.2; The stoichiometric ratio for methanol is 6.47. In that case,lambda = 7.2/6.47 = 1.11, indication that the engine is running lean

It is up the the user to adjust the vehicle’s fuel system to achieve the desired AFR under varying circumstances, but commonly used values -for gasoline engines- are:

• Lambda = 0.8 – Throttle wide open, maximum acceleration
• Lambda = 1.0 – Idle and cruise
• Lambda = 1.4 – Fuel cutoff (throttle closed and at high revs)

The Lambda = 1.00 value should not be taken as the ‘ideal’ or target value for all conditions.

Sensor placement

Wideband sensors can be damaged if powered up when wet. This can occur when the sensor is installed in an inappropriate location in the exhaust, causing water to condensate inside the sensor element. In order to prevent this, the sensor should ideally be installed at a 10 degree angle as shown below:

Figure 3 – Sensor Placement

About wideband sensors

Wideband sensors are sensitive devices that can be easily damaged if handled improperly. Wideband sensors can be damaged by contaminants such as:

• Fuel
• Oil (*)
• Lead (from leaded fuel)
• Coolant
• Lubricants
• Water
• Soot

Thermal shock and excessive heat from the exhaust gas too can damage or destroy the sensor element. Prolonged exposure to gasses hotter than 8000C should be avoided.

Since there is no way for RayTech to verify if the sensor has been mishandled or exposed to contaminants, the warranty on the sensor is limited to only dead-on-arrival cases. The rest of the hardware is fully covered by our 12 month Warranty.

(*) Use on 2 stroke engines: Since 2 stroke engine can eject small amounts of oil through the exhaust, RayTech does not recommend the use of LambdaGauge on 2 stroke  engines

Operation

The following paragraphs describe the generic procedure for measuring the AFR.

Option 1 – Welding on the socket (preferred)

1. If the vehicle is not fitted with an M18 x 1.5 socket, select an appropriate location on the exhaust for it to be installed. Bear in mind the length of the Wideband Sensor.
2. Drill a 22 mm hole in the desired location. (*)
3. Place the socket in the hole in the exhaust.
4. Tack-weld the socket onto the exaust and check the position relative to the hole.
5. Fully weld the socket onto the exhaust (consider heat input).
6. Clean up the internal thread of the socket using a M18 x 1.5 tap.

(*) Alternatively, the socket may be fitted flush with the exhaust, requiring only a 15mm hole. This method is not preferred.

Option 2 – Use a tailpipe adaptor (non – preferred)

1. Use a third party tailpipe adaptor.

Measure AFR/Lambda

1. Screw-in the Wideband Sensor into the socket.
2. Connect the plug on the Wideband Sensor cable to the socket at the end of the sensor cable.
3. Start the engine.
4. Connect the clamps of the power cable to the battery terminals (requires 12-14.2V). Caution – Observe correct polarity.
5. The LambdaKing 1 MkII will start the sensor warmup sequence. The main display will show ‘H’ until the sensor reaches operational temperature. Depending on the outside temperature and the line voltage, this may take up to 1 minute (note 1).
6. Once the sensor has reached operational temperature, the device will start displaying the current Lambda value (note 2).
7. Switch between AFR and Lambda mode as desired.
8. Select the fuel type as desired.
9. Adjust the vehicles fuel system as required to obtain the desired AFR.
10. Once completed, stop the engine.
11. Disconnect the LambdaKing MkII from the power supply.
12.  Allow to cool down. Disconnect the Sensor from the Sensor cable by pressing the unlatch lever on the sensor cable connector. (note 3,4)
13.  Install the plug.

Note 1 – Do not leave the device powered up without also running the engine. Doing so will require all heat for the sensor element, in absence of hot exhaust gas, to be supplied electrically through the device. This can result in thermal shutdown of the electronics and/or draining of the battery.
Note 2 – The default display settings are Gasoline and Lambda.
Note 3 – Never pull on the cables directly.
Note 4 – Caution the sensor will be extremely hot after use.

Specifications

Limited Warranty

The LambdaKing 1 MkII comes with a limited 1-year warranty for the original purchaser. An exception applies for the wideband sensor as described in section ‘About Wideband Sensors’ above. RayTech will repair, replace or refund any unit that has been determined to be faulty by RayTech in material or workmanship during the warranty period. Any warranty claims must be submitted to info@raytechautomotive.com. Opening of the Device will void the Warranty.

The customer is liable for return shipping. RayTech will pay for shipping back to the customer, only if the device has been determined to be defective by RayTech.

RayTech does not guarantee the fitness of its products for any purpose other than described in this manual. RayTech shall not be liable for any loss from use of the product or accidental or consequential damages.

http://www.raytechautomotive.com/

References

• RayTech Automotive diagnostic tools for cars and motorbikes – RayTechAutomotive

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