Power Cycles Registered In Stats

[TurboDriver]

No big deal I guess but I have noticed that the number of power cycles of my ALP stats show a cycle every time the car is started, even if the ALP controller is turned off. The fuse is on/off with key, and I use Controller to power on/off the unit.

I do not always have my unit turned on: short trips, moving auto in/out of garage if washing, stopping to get gas 1 block from work, going shopping store to store, etc. I figured the less "boot-ups" and general use the longer the life less chance of a "bug", plus it may not even finish a boot-up before it is turned off again.

Maybe my thoughts and actions are pointless if it is getting power at every engine start anyway (but not turned on). I didn't want to put an additional switch to kill power instead of just turning control unit off.

The stats make it appear it is being used a lot more than it actually is.


Thoughts....?

[AirMoore]

Hmmm, sadly I use an in-line kill-switch, so I guess I wouldn't see this. I guess I could give it a go next time I get in the car (leave the power on the kill-switch and then start the car?)


I'm not sure if I am reading you correctly, but if I am, what you are saying is the following;

Every-time you start the car, your ALP shows this as a restart/recycle/reboot (whatever) regardless of if the unit is on or off? A small in-line capacitor might do the trick, if you don't want a kill-switch.



I always loathe when people ask me why I don't do something (I generally have a good reason - so I'm sure you do too); but just out of curiosity, why are you opposed to the idea of a kill-switch?

[shanetrainST]

It might be seeing the voltage dip when you crank your car, Airmoore suggestion of a cap is probably the best bet
Also where are you getting your 12v from?

If you are running it from something that ignition switched just add the switch inline (series) then you have the best of both world

[TurboDriver]

Let me clarify...

I have a delay timer so nothing starts for a few seconds after start to avoid voltage spikes etc, that is not the issue.

With the ALP off, anytime power is fed to it - even with another kill switch it wouldn't matter, it will show a power cycle - even when turned off.


I will bet every ALP does this no matter what kind of power set-up they have.

[shanetrainST]

Let me clarify...

I have a delay timer so nothing starts for a few seconds after start to avoid voltage spikes etc, that is not the issue.

With the ALP off, anytime power is fed to it - even with another kill switch it wouldn't matter, it will show a power cycle - even when turned off.


I will bet every ALP does this no matter what kind of power set-up they have.

ALP has 2 wires for power, if you break continuity (switch) the red wire the unit will not power on, power cannot flow.
But if your totally convinced, add a 2poll switch and switch black &red, problem solved

[BestRadarDetectors]

There is no problem here. Every time the CPU powers up its considered a power cycle. I dont understand what the concern is?

[busta]

No big deal I guess but I have noticed that the number of power cycles of my ALP stats show a cycle every time the car is started, even if the ALP controller is turned off. The fuse is on/off with key, and I use Controller to power on/off the unit.

I do not always have my unit turned on: short trips, moving auto in/out of garage if washing, stopping to get gas 1 block from work, going shopping store to store, etc. I figured the less "boot-ups" and general use the longer the life less chance of a "bug", plus it may not even finish a boot-up before it is turned off again.

Maybe my thoughts and actions are pointless if it is getting power at every engine start anyway (but not turned on). I didn't want to put an additional switch to kill power instead of just turning control unit off.

The stats make it appear it is being used a lot more than it actually is.


Thoughts....?

I turn mine CM's on no matter how far because you never know whats around the corner, issue here I think is not cycles but being careful not to have power spikes to any electronics .

[Tman]

Right , there is no concern to have ...unless there is a limit like 1 million

Mine is around 1987 ...

There is no problem here. Every time the CPU powers up its considered a power cycle. I dont understand what the concern is?

[TurboDriver]

Ok, I worryeth not anymore.

It is just that I noticed a little red blip and a registered power cycle when power was applied to the ALP even when control unit was off.

I am satisfied that this is NORMAL operation and ALL IS WELL.!

Thanks

[radargeek]

A bigger question/possible concern is how many write cycles is the internal flash memory storing the statistics counts rated for?

After a few years of power cycles, could those flash cells wear out? Obviously some are getting written to on every power cycle.

Just out of curiosity, why does ALP count power cycles in the first place? Does it serve a purpose?

Other than that slight amount of flash cell wear, frequent power cycles shouldn't cause any other issues. Presumably the CPU "boots up" very fast, so a quick power cycle shouldn't corrupt anything (except maybe the power-cycle count if it's still being written to when power is cut). It's not like Windows where there's a file system to take care of (outside of any USB drives plugged in).

Another possible issue, if they didn't code/test this possibility, is if the count reaches its maximum value and overflows. It'll be interesting to see what happens when it reaches 9999, or 65535 (16-bit unsigned integer max value). If it's 32-bit chances are it'll never reach the max before the flash cells wear out or AL comes out with something new.