Setup and Tune, Baumann/US Shift Quick 4 E4OD Controller?

Daryl4

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Tuesday I ordered Baumann Quick 4 controller for the E4OD in my 89 IDI Centurion. I've read and watched everything worth reading/watching I think. All the manuals on their site, all their YouTube vids, a lot of threads on this forum, etc. What I think is missing though is a discussion of the ins and outs of all the options it gives. Best way to set it up, tuning details, etc. It seems there's a fair amount of people here who use this controller. I'd really like to get your experience on these things before I setup mine. As well maybe this can be a general Baumann Controller setup and tune thread, not sure let's see where it goes.

First I think some links...

The US Shift/Baumann page with manuals/instructions etc. http://www.usshift.com/pubs.shtml
Their YouTube Page https://www.youtube.com/user/usshiftcom/featured



The first topic that concerns me is how to best utilize the purple and brown(pin 4 and 5) wires? My rig is 4WD and a factory E4OD so I have the VSS in the transfer case and a factory OD button and light. Presumably I'd set it up with the purple "table switch" wire used for indicating low range to the controller. And the brown OD switch wire connected to the OD button to switch tables. But two questions, frankly I can't say for sure right now if the stock OD button is a momentary or latching switch? Secondly if going into low range it doesn't strike me as hard to use one of the other methods to select low range in the controller. This would free up the purple for other uses, but what, how would I best utilize that.

I'm quite set on utilizing manutronic, it won't be right away but it will be used. The instructions refer to using a table for "manual mode". Am I to assume that manutronic will/can utilize a table for TCC and maybe gear selection overrides?

Similarly it says it can select tables for 4wd/low so that can utilize another table?

Here's a quote from the manual

"Different modes can be selected in the tuning software which will select different tables for different situations. For example, “Select Tables Using Only 4WD Mode” will use table 1 in 2WD and 4WD high range, with table 2 for 4WD low range (Tables 3-4 will be used for the second and third low ranges, if equipped) If a switch is connected to the table select wire, “Select Tables Using Switch and 4WD Mode” chooses tables 1 or 2 in 2WD mode and table 3 or 4 in 4WD (depending on switch position).

"Select Tables Using O/D On-Off Mode” will choose the table according to the Overdrive switch. O/D On will use table 1, O/D Off will use table 2, and Manual mode will use table 3 (if enabled)."


I bring this up cause I think it'd be helpful to plan how I intend to use the 4 tables. How I intend to use the tables may effect how I initially utilize those two wires. I'm thinking if I understand this correctly I'll plan on setting it up as;
- Table 1. Go/Sport mode,
- Table 2. Cruise/economy mode,
- Table 3. 4WD high/towing(they have similar demands I think)
- Table 4. Manutronic/Manual.

I think again if I understand correctly if I set it up with the brown going to the OD button it can select between 1 and 2. Use the purple to select 3 using either the 4WD indictor switch or a manual switch wired in parallel. Last the 4th will be selected when I select Manual or Manutronic modes. I'll use either the controller button or a 2 second press of the OD button to select low range mode.

FWIW I don't actually see much point in utilizing an OD off mode. There's no situation where if I get going fast enough at a low enough throttle that I don't want it to select OD.



Secondly while I think I have a grasp on things like the jumper for the IDI tach signal, and other technicalities. Any issues others have faced and I need to watch out for when it comes to setting it up with an IDI?



Third, I want to be quite ginger with my transmission at first. It's a Jasper replacement, the rig only has 195K on it, and no signs it towed much, but besides it's issues that's all I know. Issues are primarily soft shifts, odd shift timing, and a lag and flare occasionally on the 2-3 shift. Think I'll replace the TPS/FIPL sensor tomorrow as it may be the cause but still I want to take it easy on this tranny, at least at first. What settings should I watch out for that may put undo stress on the transmission? Better to error towards hard or soft shifts? High line pressure I assume is a given but not sure about shift firmness. Similarly with TCC options, my assumption is erring towards it locking up only at a lower throttle is safer. As well as unlocking for all shifts if locking in other then high gear at all.



Forth I'd really like to wire up a few LEDs to tell me at a glance what is going on. TCC lockup, and what gear is commanded. I figure this can be done by smartly taping into the solenoid control harness. But exactly how and what pitfalls this may cause if done wrong I'm not sure. I've asked Baumann to work up a wiring diagram for such a thing but they haven't gotten back to me with that yet. Alternatively raydav mentioned wiring up LEDs with his controller, maybe he'll chime in with more info.



I know that was a long read, thank you already if you made it this far. I have no idea if this thread will get much play but while I'm new here I'm impressed so far with this forum and it's members.
 
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riotwarrior

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I will be following this closely as I am at a point where I think I will be running the black mamba soon I hope....but it needs some F350 axles first...chicken wing D50's suck.

From what I have read about the controller I think you may be onto some good ideas for the various programming.

I am not so sure about the LED idea however, gladly I will watch amd see what you do.

If things work as hoped the reman of one of my autos will begin next year as I work towards the aquisition of parts.

Please keep up the research and let us know....take lots of pics..

One thing to consider is exhaust brake w this trans...as I have one and ponder how I can integrate its electronic switching into the bauman.

Thanks for a great read
 

saburai

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"while I'm new here I'm impressed so far with this forum and it's members."
I am as well.
I'm also very interested in this topic and hope to learn much by following it.
 

Daryl4

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One thing to consider is exhaust brake w this trans...as I have one and ponder how I can integrate its electronic switching into the bauman.
An excellent point, while so far I find a lot of info on TCC settings and the options are indeed impressive. I find little so far(that come to mind) on the coast clutch settings. While I assume it's one of the adjustments in the tables I'm not yet sure. There's also no independent provision to tell the controller if you're applying the brakes.

That said assuming the coast clutch is a parameter in the tuning tables I see no reason why a table couldn't be for towing and utilize it more. To "integrate its electronic switching" you'd have to utilize one of the table switching wires. However as I understand only one wire can be used directly for table switching. This is something I need to work out for my ideas as well.

I think as I said I'd like to use the brown as the table switching wire to select simply between 1 and 2. This could be done with a simple switch or the stock OD button at which point the OD off light becomes a sport mode indicator. I don't want to have to scroll through modes and only have the small display on the controller to tell me what mode I'm in.

But.... in doing so I want to use the purple and it's(presumed) ability to select another table for 4WD/Low range mode but use it to select a table for high range 4WD and towing. But I also NEED a way to tell it when I'm in low range. I'm thinking about a little trick but don't know yet if it will work. There's options for 2, 3, or 4 speed transfer cases. If I use the 3 speed transfer case option but put 1 as the ratio in the first low range ratio box then that setting can have it's own table and still be high range. Then put my 2.69 ratio in the second low range box and select it using the button on the controller or a 2 second press of the OD button. However I don't know yet if the "detect low range by" menu will give the option of splitting how the two low ranges are selected. Here's the vid that talks about it
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I mention this cause if it works the same thing could be done for the electronic controls of an exhaust brake. IDK, all mostly talk and something I'll have the answer to soon enough.

EDIT.. Or.. simply utilize Manutronic(manual shift buttons) when using the exhaust brake. I understand it can easily be setup to lock up the TCC and presumably the coast clutch when in Manutronic. They also have a seemingly easy option of using your stock cruise control buttons to control the Manutronic in a way that still allows them to be used as stock for cruise control.
 
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Daryl4

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Well I got the sucker the other day and out of the box I'm already quite pleased. The guys at Baumann tossed in some extras I asked for as well as a few I didn't.

I'd asked for some suggestions on the best way to wire up LEDs to indicate the commanded gear and the TCC lockup. Also if they could include a 680Ohm resistor for the manutonric. I got both and then some, a wiring diagram, LEDs as well as, resistors, both for the LEDs and Manutronic.

Haven't started the install yet, been playing with the software checking out options to decided on details. Well that and I don't have a lot of time this weekend anyway sadly. Think I need to contact Baumann as well with a couple of questions. One on jumpers anther on 4WD options.

So the "detect low range by" menu for 3 or 4 speed transfer cases can't utilize the purple wire. But there is an option in the table select menu that will utilize both wires on switches. But if I use this option for something other then low range detection I'll have no low range detection at all, this would basically negate any functional auto shifting while in low range. This is fine with me, if I'm in low range I'll want to use manual/manutonric anyway. But is the controller OK with it, will it think something is wrong. I really don't think so, but I want to confirm.

My questions for them Monday..
1 pertains to jumpers, just want to ensure both brown and purple are selected by grounding. In the jumper instructions is says
"1) Transmission Control Switch Mode: When jumper is installed, the input is activated by
grounding the wire. With no jumper (default), 12V is supplied to activate the input."
Pretty sure this pertains to the brown(pin 4) wire. If so I want to change that jumper so that both are selected by grounding.

2. Tables can of course be downloaded to the controller, can they be uploaded?

3. Is the gear ratio in the 2WD/4WD menu written independently on each table? Thus can they be different on different tables? The idea here being to use the Muti-tune option of selecting the calibration tables using switch and 4wd mode. The use a switch to select 4wd mode. Doing so would give two switches to select all 4 tables without having to scroll through tables. Taken a step further a 4 position rotary switch could be used to switch both wires simultaneously allowing for a simple 4 position table select switch. Then if table 3 can be written with the 4WD/Low ratio of 1, and table 4 written as 2.69. Then table 3 is 4WD/Hi, and table 4 is 4WD/Low.

4. What regulates shift firmness when in manual/manutonic?
 
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oregon96psd

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I have no help to offer on any of that, seems way to complicated to make a slushbox work lol, I do have a question though. You said that in low range it won't auto shift, why is that? Does it not read engine rpm along with the vss? Every e4doa I've been around has shifted just fine in low range, but they were all behind powerstrokes, will a factory idi shift in low range?
 

Daryl4

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I have no help to offer on any of that, seems way to complicated to make a slushbox work lol, I do have a question though. You said that in low range it won't auto shift, why is that? Does it not read engine rpm along with the vss? Every e4doa I've been around has shifted just fine in low range, but they were all behind powerstrokes, will a factory idi shift in low range?
The controller relies on the VSS for output speed, and largely calculates from that. It can read RPM and can even read the stock IDI tach signal. But it doesn't use/rely on RPM for shift points. An RPM signal is an extra used for other options and data recording. I like this, it cuts down on the number of sensors the system relies on, it really only needs three, MLPS, TPS(FIPL) and VSS.

In our rigs with 4WD the VSS is in the tail housing of the transfer case so it's speed is effected by the transfer case range selection. I think the stock setup uses the low range detection switch in the transfer case for this, and so can the Baumann controller. In what I gather would be the standard configuration one of the wires(purple) is connected to that switch and it then compensates for the low range. If the low range isn't compensated for then what would be a 3700 RPM gear change becomes a 9900 RPM gear change.

But the controller gives the option of using that wire to control other things as well. I'm considering my options to use it to select other options given that in low range I'd very likely be using the transmission/controller on manual/manutronic mode anyway, thus don't need it to decide when to shift. Or in the alternative I can use other methods to tell the controller that I'm in low range. With either option I don't need to use that wire for low range selection which frees it up for other uses.

FWIW there's three options that make using the transmission in manual or manutronic mode for off road/low range pretty enticing. First of course the manual and manutronic options. Manual options actually give some options on what is done when the physical gear selector is moved. Manutronic is basically push button shifting with the shifter in drive. Then there's what they call "Off-Rode" mode that allows near complete lockup of the TCC when in manual or manutronic to provide a positive manual like feel. In these modes RPM is used to control TCC lockup.
 

FORDF250HDXLT

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Daryl,how about putting a switch on the purple wire with a diode to prevent back feed?
ON = LOW range
OFF = Your other auxiliary use.
 

Daryl4

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Daryl,how about putting a switch on the purple wire with a diode to prevent back feed?
ON = LOW range
OFF = Your other auxiliary use.
I'm thinking something a lot like that, diode is interesting though. I'll have to think about that later, gotta get going.

Mostly talk at this point anyway, gotta get it installed. I'm thinking at first I'll just put in 4 toggles. on/off for brown, on/off for purple, on/off for manutronic, and a momentary on/off/on for manutronic shifting. I can experiment with that and move on from there.
 

Daryl4

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Made progress on the install yesterday, sadly it had to be a back burner item included on a crazy day. Sorry no pics yet, was too busy but I'll get some.

One really cool thing US Shift never mentioned and should is that many of the wires are labeled on the wire. Small print every foot or so on the wire "TPS SIGNAL" "TACH INPUT", Etc. It's on every wire that isn't already terminated with a plug to the transmission.
 

Overloaded-dadbod

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Made progress on the install yesterday, sadly it had to be a back burner item included on a crazy day. Sorry no pics yet, was too busy but I'll get some.

One really cool thing US Shift never mentioned and should is that many of the wires are labeled on the wire. Small print every foot or so on the wire "TPS SIGNAL" "TACH INPUT", Etc. It's on every wire that isn't already terminated with a plug to the transmission.
Please tell me you’ve finished your install and have screwed with the tune?
 

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