What's goin on with ISIS

[parsonsj]

Originally Posted by Greg

what REAL WORLD benefits I just can't live without

The answer is none, I think. You can stack up relays and custom control boxes on a traditional wiring harness and achieve the same results.

But here's the hook: ISIS separates switches and control knobs from the device, and puts a programmable computer in-between them. All the control wiring can be 28g wire, since very little current flows. And that computer can combine inputs, sequence inputs, time inputs, etc. The best analogy I can think of is a drive-by-wire throttle. A cable-based throttle works fine, and some would say it works better. (Toyota-bashers, this doesn't concern you, lol), but DBW has a control module attached to the throttle, and that input goes to the ECM, which then tells the throttle blade to move. The input "switch" is separated from the device by a computer.

Once you have DBW, you've got all kinds of things you can do. You can integrate cruise control, you can do cool things with pedal ratio, you can integrate heel-toe blips, you can support traction control, you can enforce engine break-in, etc.

That's what's different about ISIS. As I mentioned above, nearly all modern cars are wired this way.

[GregWeld]

All good points John.....

My S63, R8, and Cayenne Turbo all use the throttle blips --- and I really like that!

But of course -- that feature/function is ONLY with DBW stuff....

I guess we come full circle to the original plusses.... IF a guy wants really modern electronic functionality... he goes with ISIS..... if a guy is driving a carb car... with basic stuff... then this probably isn't his cup of tea.

I like Ironworks truck that uses electric switches in the "old skool" door handles with the ISIS system... now that is pretty cool integration in my book.

[parsonsj]

I agree. In fact, if you don't need at least 3 PowerCells, an inMotion controller, and some custom programming, I'd stay with a traditional system.

Here's a few things I did with the ISIS kit that aren't that obvious:

1. I turn off all non-essential devices while engine is cranking. Windows, wipers, stereo, cooling fans, A/C, headlights, etc. All off. The only thing that gets juice is the starter, injectors, coils, ECM, TCU, and fuel pump.

2. The headlights, cooling fans, and fuel pump "soft" start. That will lengthen their lifespan and reduce the current in-rush. You can now run smaller, higher gauge wire, and numerically smaller fuses.

3. All essential engine circuits are integrated with security. No key fob, no hot wire. (thieves will probably just use a rollback, but still )

4. I replaced the DSE RS headlight controller with custom ISIS programming.

5. Ever wired interior lights? Three switches (2 in the doors, one in the headlight switch). 14g wires going everywhere -- to the switches and to the lamps. With ISIS, you have a device circuit with a single wire going to each lamp (wired in series with a ground at each lamp), and a separate 28g wire for each switch.

6. Power window are a dream to wire. Two current-carrying wires to each window. In a whole separate circuit using 28g wire, the switches are connected to the MasterCell. Every single power window has one touch down.

Anyway... I'll stop now. It's not so much about the "features", it's more about the flexibility and configurability of the system.

Hope that's useful!

[GregWeld]

^^^^^^^^^ John!


LOL..... I think YOU need to be in their booth at SEMA! That is the very best "reasoning" for this system I've ever heard!

Now I have a long list of "I wants" to discuss with Rodger on the Bubbletop. Love the soft start on any electric motor. I use the Spal PWM fan controller in my cars for that very reason. The soft start and ramp up as needed is just kool (pun points?)

So without going to their website to learn for myself.... do you program with a laptop or with some handheld controller? Or dip switches?

[parsonsj]

Originally Posted by Greg

LOL..... I think YOU need to be in their booth at SEMA! That is the very best "reasoning" for this system I've ever heard!

I think I just exposed the geek at the core of my being, lol.

Originally Posted by Greg

So without going to their website to learn for myself.... do you program with a laptop or with some handheld controller? Or dip switches?

Well, with mine, soft start was something they did. I told them which circuits, and they sent me a programming file that I down-loaded onto the PowerCell. Mike Weber at ISIS says that "installer programming" is coming, but I don't think it's here yet. I told them I should be (real humble, right?) their beta tester when they get ready to release it.

And to answer your question directly, the binary images are downloaded from a laptop onto the device.

Of my list of things 1, 5, and 6 are installer items. 2, 3, and 4 requires custom programming from ISIS. They usually turned my request into a new binary for down-load in less than 24 hours. But I'd really really like to be able to do it myself.

[scherp69]

Damn you John for making the ISIS setup sound so appealing again. When ISIS first came out, I wanted to put it in my car, but I decided on the kiss philosophy and went with the Highway 22 kit. I was just looking at their site and they really have some cool options. May have to reconsider yet again (what I shock, I may change my mind yet again on parts already bought).

[ErikLS2]

Originally Posted by parsonsj

4. I replaced the DSE RS headlight controller with custom ISIS programming.

John, I was going to use the DSE setup for my RS headlights. I have an ISIS system to install. Did you use the DSE electric motors or use something else?
Nice to know I don't need their whole kit. Thanks!

[parsonsj]

Originally Posted by ErikLS2

John, I was going to use the DSE setup for my RS headlights. I have an ISIS system to install. Did you use the DSE electric motors or use something else?
Nice to know I don't need their whole kit. Thanks!

(talking quietly... don't want to cost Kyle sales, lol). You'll still need the DSE motors. Just not the control box and harness.

Here's a low quality video of it working:

http://gallery.me.com/iimuchfa#10000...S%20controller

This video might work better:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=8JvU6QJVY70

[Garage Dog 65]

Anyone heard if they are planning on a new model, hardware revision or V2 model upgrade anytime soon ? It would be nice to combine the hardware into 2 units or 1 unit and reduce the space and complexity a bit ? Maybe add a single controller/module type unit to the product line with all the programmability in the 2 or 3 unit setups - that might compete directly with some of the stock wiring replacement kits out there.

I love the system and the capability provided - I just don't have the room in my car without setting up an electronics rack somewhere for all the vehicle, entertainment and engine electronic systems these days. I have something like 10 electronic modules in my G8 ...

Jim

[jharris]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all of the active discussion about our ISIS Intelligent Multiplex System. There are a ton of topics in the mix here so I wanted to add a little more color to the conversation. Rodger, John & James have already done a great job, here are our two cents.

First, if you are doing a back-to-stock, OEM set-up, carb'ed car with nothing fancy, ISIS will help to reduce the amount of wiring in the car. I'll be the first to tell you that you may be better suited with a traditional harness, especially if you can get one that is tailored specifically to your car. Depending on how you want to connectorize and loom your harness, there may be no benefit in install time.

Since most of the cars built in this forum are popular OEM platforms, stock harnesses are available off of the shelf. A lot of our customers build "odd-ball" cars. (no offense intended in that comment, go try to find a harness for a 1948 Anglia.) In that case, your building your own harness or using ISIS.

The second that you want to deviate from the stock functions in the car, that is where we shine. Something as simple as a vehicle immobolizer and a alarm system are completely integrated in the system when you upgrade to inLINK. There is no third-party box to buy or try to integrate into the electrical system. Things like theatre dimming, headlight delays, turbo timers, remote door poppers, sequential turn signals, single-filament turn signals, one-button starting and motor control are very easy to add. You can buy third-party boxes to do this but they come at a cost, they take up space and you need to figure out how you integrate them into your harness. ISIS replicates these functions, all in one system.

You can take it up another notch by adding our inTOUCH MAX touch screen or inTOUCH Mobile. These are all plug and play add-ons to the existing system.

Jay