CO2 analyzer recommendations?

I have wanted a HC/CO tester for a long time. the problem is that they do not make an inexpensive one that I know of. Scanners used to be expensive so who knows??

 

I am not really sure for what Kevin is looking. Perhaps a "simple" CO-Tester? Or a device, which allows the lambda determination (measuring CO2, CO, O2 and HC, typically, for pollution control tests)?

 

Kevin, if you are in no hurry you might look out for a used professional CO tester. I bought mine when new emission regulations rendered the old testers worthless for the workshops. A precision instrument operating optically, with chopper, and easily calibrated.

Cheers, Bernhard

 

I took an eBay punt on a used laboratory CO/HC meter which was made in the mid 80's. Thankfully the maker is still around and carries spares - I managed to get it up and running a few days ago.
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Do you have to check them with sample gases? I had an old one and would never stay calibrated and then had to use a lot of gas to check.

 

You can get the Basic Innovate LM-2 wideband sensor and air fuel meter for $349 from Innovate online (below), or on Amazon for $235... and air/fuel ratio, or lambda, is what you really want to be measuring anyway.

Innovate Motor Sports On-Line Store

http://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Motorsports-3837-Digital-Wideband/dp/B001S7W836/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427774818&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=innnovate+lm-2

 

+1. Good solid approach.

I like the Infrared Industry gas analyzers. Not cheap, but very responsive and will tell you exactly what's going on with combustion.

 

Does Amazon really say $235.00 for you, because I see $246.49?

I know some companies are starting to experiment with variable pricing based on the profile of the user, I just don't want Amazon to think that I like to pay more for stuff than the next guy does.

 

That is perfect for A/F setup. Mine shows 246 also. The Chinese IR's are down to about 1500.00 now just have to wait until a used one comes up--

 

imho
The Infrared industries have come up and sold on eBay for good money. I think you might buy one and sell it if you don't want to hang on to it, but if you own the car, you also could wonder how you've gotten by without one

I used one to set up a Dino motor where I got sick and tired of smelling like an exhaust pipe when I adjusted the carbs by the method: "Turn screw one way 'til it stumbles - then turn the opposite way 'til it stumbles - now put the screw in the middle" approach. When I measured it, I was at something like 8% CO. It was wasting fuel, stinking like crazy, and making less power.

That all said, the Innovate looks nice. I've never used it.

 

Found this on Craigslist and bought it for $125. Replaced some tubes inside and it seems to work fine. Has Gas/Diesel Analyzer system in it. Put it at my friends new shop, Italtech GT in Laguna Hills. Recently used it on my 81 308 to reset the fuel mixture CO after having it smog tested.
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It was $234.99 yesterday. Today it shows me $242.34 (I'm an Amazon Prime member, if that makes any difference), but also lists on the side that MVP Motorsports Inc is offering it for $236.77.

I bought the regular LM-2 (inductive rpm pickup, record capability) last fall, along with a NOS Gunson CO exhaust gas analyzer (Amazon.com: Gastester -Exhaust Gas Analyzer Portable 12V powered: Automotive), just to see how they compared.

Target CO is under 1.0, IIRC, and at the time after adjusting the idle speed on my Euro 308 QV, the Gunson showed 5.0, and the LM-2 showed an A/F ratio of 12.2 (stoichiometric target is 14.7). Way too rich! I currently have the mixture set to give ~14.3 at idle via the LM-2. The LM-2 also can show the RPM with the inductive pickup - when it shows 1000 rpm, my tachometer indicates around 1300!

Next step is to set up the LM-2 and painters tape the cables so that I can drive and record the A/F ratio at various throttle openings and rpm ranges. I want to ensure that the mixture isn't going lean at higher revs and throttle openings. The LM-2 is cheaper than a few dyno sessions to get the equivalent feedback!

 

It's up to $248.90 for me now, what the hell? Still might buy one anyway.

 

That is a common approach since a few years, actually. For example, if you google a country and subsequently book a flight to that country, you will be provided with a higher price than if you had not googled this specific country. Try it out . Big brother is watching you, but nobody minds ...

I like to phone with "real" companies and in most cases the price is far below the lowest internet prices provided by the same company. The gas heater for my garage was almost 1000.-- Euro less than the best internet price (being from the same company ...)

Internet business is quite often ripping off, but as long as most people find it so convenient and let themselves be fooled by price comparison plattforms and the like .....

 

Kevin, They show up more often then you think. Cities and Gov't service departments had these and put them up for auction from time to time. I found mine on Craigslist and had to drive 80 miles but what the heck. I would have been happy with just the lower cabinet for the price even if the top unit didn't work....its pretty cool.

 

308, what year is yours and how often do you have to calibrate it? I think that I will end up with one like yours to do what I need.

 

If he is talking about the IR kind of analysers, these are self calibrating. The beam is directed alternately through a measuring cuvette (where the exhaust gasses are pumped through) and a sealed cuvette (establishing the reference). The only "calibration" needed is to let the machine warm up and come into a steady state (no exhaust gasses,of course, just clean air being pumped through) and then 1) adjust the zero value and 2) a reference value (e.g. 5% CO) provided internally upon pressing a button. And then you can start and the accuracy is better than 0,1% CO.

 

they have changed since I had one as you had to use gas for a reference. Just would like something the size of the Chinese ones rather than a big box. I have the room, but this is something I would not use much. I even have an old oscilloscope tester, but nothing to use it on anymore!!

 

Probably early 1980's. It uses BAR 84 gas (blended propane, CO, CO2, NO, N). Don't know the frequency.

 

I had a chance to get on the road with the LM-2 setup today - here's a couple of pictures showing the O2 sensor in the right side exhaust tip, with the cable running up and under the hatch; then the cables for the O2 sensor and rpm pickup running from the front of the hatch to the top of the drivers door; then the LM-2 unit hanging behind the left side of the seat back. I wouldn't be looking at the LM-2 while driving, but at a stop light, I could reach over my shoulder and start or stop a recording session.

The first graph is of the acceleration runs, showing 2 runs through 1st and 2nd gears (hitting about 7700 rom on the second run set); the A/F ratio behaves perfectly, increasing from near 13.7:1 at idle/cruise to 13:1 as the throttle goes to wide open, then gradually increasing to about 11.6:1 at high rpm with full throttle. This is actually very slightly richer than I'd like, so I made the smallest adjustment possible to the mixture screw and on the next series, and the high rpm full throttle A/F ratio is now right at 12.0:1.

The second graph just shows the log of the entire 7 min long 2nd test drive, so it shows normal acceleration and shifting, and a single run to 7K rpm through each of 1, 2, and 3 - starting at around the 2:40 mark.
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