Just an FYI - installation video now on youtube.

 

BTW, I have a new plug cover that is much easier to remove and re-install now as the plastic is flexible. I'm much happier with the total outcome now. The first plug cover was quite durable but took some pinching to get over the female connector to cover the dial. I don't see any need to modify the product from how it's now shipping at this time.

The batch I started shipping this week was cosmetically superior to my first batch as the sealant is now quite hidden behind the back of the tuner dial and is also sealed to the waterproof connectors between the pins on the tuner dial and the back of the female connector as insurance. I appreciate those here on the forum who went out on a limb to buy a my new product. The feedback has been a big help and I've made some videos to help clarify how the kit should be installed. If anyone has an issue with the product i'll do everything I can to make sure you are satisfied if for some reason the product does meet your expectations.

Brock

 

We just bought a new 2017 Pilot EX on Saturday. I was looking to get a Second VCMuzzler as I got one for our 2012 Odyssey after plugs fouled and Honda did a ring job a year ago in December with 30,000 something miles. So I'm a believer in killing the VCM because it did allow the ring on our 2012 EX to rotate and bypass oil. I had changed the oil just before the plug fouling and noticed that hardly any was on the dip stick with about 7000 miles on the change. Luckily I was running AMSOil Signature Series 0W20 which probably protected other stuff when the oil got that low. Since the ring job and installing the VCM, I can let the Maintenance Minder go to about 10% and it doesn't burn any oil. At close to $10 per quart for AMSOil SS, saving oil can pay for the VCM defeat quickly.

So now with just over 200 miles on a new 2017 Pilot EX, I was wanting to one for that and just PM'ed for the VCMuzzler 2. It's $92.22 Shipped from Canada. So this VCMtuner is competitive if it's as well made. Being able to fine tune the resistance with the Torque app will be nice to keep it just below the 168 degree activation temp. I've only used the blue resister on the Muzzler but it seems to hold up fine in NC Summer traffic with occasional activation on hot days in traffic.

I just learned about the VCMtuner today as I was about to order the Muzzler. I'd be a happy test case for both since I will have the VCMuzzler on the 2012 Odyssey and the VCMtuner on the 2012 Pilot. I'll probably join the Pilot forums now and can post in both places. I don't feel like spending and extra $50 on top of the $90 for VCMtuner's resister to plug into VCMuzzler's harness. But vcmtuner can PM me if he can work out a discount for a value add of both the a whole VCMtuner plus a second resistor only. $150 for both at this point might be a little high but a discount on both might move more inventory.

 

F100, glad we worked something out that would fit your needs. Let me know what you think of the new plug covers. I included a bonus one for your extra tuner plug to convert your muzzler to a vcmtuner using the older harness. The plug covers go on quite nicely and come off easy enough compared to the initial batch of plug covers that were durable, snug but required some effort to put on and off. I spent a lot of time overthinking on improving this part over the last few days. Basically we have a soft rubber cover that is now wrapped in 3M friction tape, so you can place it over the tuner by pressing the back together, letting off a bit and then turning it until snug. That part now takes some labor to put together but I love it on my ody and it's just one more custom part of the vcmtuner kit that you could not buy in a store anywhere like this. I've attached an updated picture of the complete kit including the new plug cover. The harness has been improved to locate the 90 degree connector somewhat closer to the sensor port to minimize cable stress on the factory wiring. Feedback is welcome. For those of you that already purchased a tuner setup last week, I can send you a source locally to assemble the custom plug cover. PM me for details.

I normallly plug my tuner plug into the port parallel to the sensor connector, and plug the factory wiring harness into the 90 degree offset port. You can switch this around if necessary to make installation easier on your platform.

 

Looking forward to trying this out on my new 2017 Pilot. I'll try to give this board an unbiased review of the product compared to the Muzzler I have on my 2012 Ody.

I was about to order a second VCMuzzler but came across this. I like the Muzzler but as a owner/buyer, it's nice to see an improved product as well. Both folks have worked hard at improving something that benefits a lot of folks like my self who had to have a ring job on our 2012 Ody because of VCM. If the adjustable resistor holds up as well as a simple resistor, it will be a welcome improvement. Being able to adjust the resistance live while looking at the Coolant temp in Torque will be nice. Can basically fine tune your engine.

With the new Pilot's and all not having an eco light anymore, it's almost essential to have something like the torque app telling you the temp. I just hope cutoff for VCM activation is the same. Honda has become better at masking the VCM activation but I can still feel it there at times. Would be nice to have some light or sensor though to tell or show you when it's cycling on and off. Similar to the way the Eco light did.

I have been playing with the ECO button on the 17 Pilot. It not only adjusts your throttle response, but it does slow down your Cabin AC fan. Probably cycles the compressor less often as well. And it may shift sooner but I haven't been able to drive enough with that to test it yet. I usually just leave it off. If I wanted and Eco car, I would have bought a civic or something like that.

 

vcmtuner install picture 2017

Posting pictures of a successful install on a 2017 ridgeline, before and after. Should look very close to what the new 2016/2017 odyssey and pilots will look like. Look for the plug cover in the attachments.

 

I don't have time right now for a full review but I'll post some quick pictures of installing the VCMtuner on my new 2017 Pilot. I got the VCM tuner in the mail on Saturday just a few days after sending payment. Quick shipping coast to coast. I installed the VCMtuner on Sunday (yesterday) but didn't drive my new Pilot until today for work. It does work fine but it may be that because everything is new, that I will need to increase the resistance just a bit from the initial setting. With temps in the mid 40's, the perceived temp stayed around 165. But after I got near work and idled in traffic some more, the temp came up to about 172.4 and I could hear the VCM kick in again when slowing down or letting off the accelerator. I'll increase the dial this afternoon and see how it responds.

Because of the direction that the Temperature sending unit was installed in my Pilot, I had to turn the VCM tuner a little bit different to get it to connect. It would have been nice if it was 180 degrees so that the side connector was pointing the other way. But sensors may be turned different directions anyway and there was still room to work with.

I will say that Honda used a pretty small gauge wire in the harness. So be careful with the harness plug wires. I'm okay with mine if they don't move but I don't want to have muck with it very much.

 

View attachment 100994 View attachment 101002 View attachment 101010

I don't have time right now for a full review but I'll post some quick pictures of installing the VCMtuner on my new 2017 Pilot. I got the VCM tuner in the mail on Saturday just a few days after sending payment. Quick shipping coast to coast. I installed the VCMtuner on Sunday (yesterday) but didn't drive my new Pilot until today for work. It does work fine but it may be that because everything is new, that I will need to increase the resistance just a bit from the initial setting. With temps in the mid 40's, the perceived temp stayed around 165. But after I got near work and idled in traffic some more, the temp came up to about 172.4 and I could hear the VCM kick in again when slowing down or letting off the accelerator. I'll increase the dial this afternoon and see how it responds.

Because of the direction that the Temperature sending unit was installed in my Pilot, I had to turn the VCM tuner a little bit different to get it to connect. It would have been nice if it was 180 degrees so that the side connector was pointing the other way. But sensors may be turned different directions anyway and there was still room to work with.

I will say that Honda used a pretty small gauge wire in the harness. So be careful with the harness plug wires. I'm okay with mine if they don't move but I don't want to have muck with it very much.

F100, I shot you an e-mail earlier today about the harness. Since it's made with 18 gauge copper, you can twist those connectors some 180 degrees and there should be enough play to do so. Just use your best judgement and if it feels like there's too much stress on the harness, don't force it. The two connectors on the harness parallel to each other will have a bit more play than the 90 degree angle connector due to the length of the wire inside the plastic jacketing. The 90 degree angled connector has a sharper bend to keep the plastic jacketing over the copper wires, so that port should be left alone if possible. Basically instead of twisting the 90 degree port, twist the top and bottom connectors to orient the 90 degree port to your desired direction.

The tuners come preset at 82-83 ohms. This is exactly the scenario where vcmtuner shines instead of a fixed resistor value. Some vehicles have CTS sensors with some +/- 5F degrees in variance. For every 10 ohms of increased resistance, the reported temperature to the ECU is shunted somewhere between 2-3F from my tests on freeway driving. So a setting of 100 ohms (approximately position 50 on the dial) should work to disable VCM and keep your freeway operating temperature around 166 max if you peaked at 172F. It looks like the included velcro straps come in handy for the install from the posted pictures. Please come post some feedback once you get this dialed in.

Brock

 

Great advance on the Muzzler, but we shouldn't take a credit away from the Muzzler.

Question, can you make an adjustable resistor that adapts to the Muzzler?

 

Hi Marvin, I sell a plug adapter that works w/ the muzzler. F100 ordered one for his muzzler last week.

 

Is the rheostat plastic temp resistant for extremes in temps? Could the dial contacts loosen during vibrations? How robust is the dial if one fiddled with it too many times?

 

Yes, he said he has just the adjustable resistor plug earlier in the thread. It uses the same plug as the VCMuzzler. I ordered a second resistor plug from VCMtuner to test on my '12 Odyssey with a VCMuzzler on it. Here is what is looked like when shipped to me. The extra module is plugged in the harness side connector. Things look good. A little residue from the glue used on the plastic. But if it holds, it shouldn't cause a problem.

I haven't tested on our ODY yet as I only got it 3 days ago and the wife doesn't want me messing with it. But I have used the VCMtuner on my '17 Pilot now for two days and no big issues. I installed it several hours after it was driven. Cooled down enough to touch but sill warm. No Check engine light.

In watching Torque on my Pilot with a $10 VeePeak OBD module from Amazon, I can say that between 40 and 50 is fine this time of year. If my OBD module and app are correct, I'm getting a little more swing in temp if I idol. About 5 degrees in driving around. Now that may be because at less than 400 miles, all the coolant and coolant system are clean and fresh as a whistle. So the cooling efficiency is as good as it will ever get. So it swings a little more than when it has more miles and several years on it. My 2004 Ford Ranger used to do the same thing when new; wider swing in the coolant gauge.

This morning I was sitting between 163 and 167 most of the time when driving on a longer highway stretch to drop kids off at school. VCM would stay off. I may bump resistance up yet still from the 45 mark. But I'm trying to monitor as much I can to see how close to 167 I can stay to keep VCM from kicking in a 168. With the radio off, I can hear VCM clink in. It's hard to hear clink off now compared to the '12 ODY. Air temps this morning were in the 30's.

I have a quick video I shot that I will try to post soon. Noting you all know but pretty simple to give a visual from someone independent of both VCMtuner and VCMuzzler. I've spent close to $100 with each. I just want the best product that will work well and last. Time will tell with the VCMtuner but so far, it's certainly a nice improvement. US shipping is a plus. And if the pending patent gets approved, that will be nice. Passing CARB certification would be nice as well but I don't really care about CARB. That's why I also own a 1966 Ford F100 that spews emissions. I just want CARB to stopping messing with Gas Cans that used to work just fine.

 

Yes, he said he has just the adjustable resistor plug earlier in the thread. It uses the same plug as the VCMuzzler. I ordered a second resistor plug from VCMtuner to test on my '12 Odyssey with a VCMuzzler on it. Here is what is looked like when shipped to me. The extra module is plugged in the harness side connector. Things look good. A little residue from the glue used on the plastic. But if it holds, it shouldn't cause a problem.

View attachment 101129 View attachment 101137 View attachment 101145 View attachment 101153

I haven't tested on our ODY yet as I only got it 3 days ago and the wife doesn't want me messing with it. But I have used the VCMtuner on my '17 Pilot now for two days and no big issues. I installed it several hours after it was driven. Cooled down enough to touch but sill warm. No Check engine light.

In watching Torque on my Pilot with a $10 VeePeak OBD module from Amazon, I can say that between 40 and 50 is fine this time of year. If my OBD module and app are correct, I'm getting a little more swing in temp if I idol. About 5 degrees in driving around. Now that may be because at less than 400 miles, all the coolant and coolant system are clean and fresh as a whistle. So the cooling efficiency is as good as it will ever get. So it swings a little more than when it has more miles and several years on it. My 2004 Ford Ranger used to do the same thing when new; wider swing in the coolant gauge.

This morning I was sitting between 163 and 167 most of the time when driving on a longer highway stretch to drop kids off at school. VCM would stay off. I may bump resistance up yet still from the 45 mark. But I'm trying to monitor as much I can to see how close to 167 I can stay to keep VCM from kicking in a 168. With the radio off, I can hear VCM clink in. It's hard to hear clink off now compared to the '12 ODY. Air temps this morning were in the 30's.

I have a quick video I shot that I will try to post soon. Noting you all know but pretty simple to give a visual from someone independent of both VCMtuner and VCMuzzler. I've spent close to $100 with each. I just want the best product that will work well and last. Time will tell with the VCMtuner but so far, it's certainly a nice improvement. US shipping is a plus. And if the pending patent gets approved, that will be nice. Passing CARB certification would be nice as well but I don't really care about CARB. That's why I also own a 1966 Ford F100 that spews emissions. I just want CARB to stopping messing with Gas Cans that used to work just fine.

F100, if you modified the dial from the shipped setting, then you might be running a lower resistance than expected. The shipped setting is 82-83 degrees F. I have seen a few of the tuner plugs visually between 40 and 50 is 82-83 ohms. If you want to get an actual resistance value you can remove the tuner plug from the vehicle, get two tiny paperclips and measure the resistance with a multimeter. I bet the 50 setting will work well for you. For every 10 ohms of resistance, 2-3F is reduced from the ECU gauge, at least on freeway operating temps from my testing.

I did some idle testing vs freeway driving tonight. I removed my tuner harness to ensure a completely stock test was done with no extra variables.

10 minute warmup, 5 mile drive for 55mph-65 in D3 to bypass VCM most of the time and get engine up to temperature. My ody has a 180 thermostat Used a veepeak scanner. Engine Coolant Temp sensor on torque w/ dial mode.

Average temperature at 55-60mph - 176F - freeway type driving
Peak temperature after coming to a stop for 3-4 minutes - 206F. This was with the AC Off. I normally run auto but wanted to see what would happen. I was pretty amazed it got this high. Even in the winter.
Peak temperature after coming to a stop for 3-4 minutes w/ AC-On - 190F. This is with the auto button enabled and AC On set to 70 degrees.

I noticed the temperature would more rapidly increase w/ the AC off. Within a few minutes temps hit 194 F w/ it off.

So it seems that leaving the vehicle in auto mode for the climate control may stabilize the coolant temperatures because the extra fan kicks on when the AC is engaged. I normally leave the AC on auto w/ the climate setting.

At least on my van, that's a considerable temp swing. I'll likely consider starting to run setting 50 myself (some 98-102 ohms) and see how it goes on the tuner now-on with things starting to warm up.

So the 82 ohm setting is normally shaving some 13-16 F off the freeway operating temperature to get down to 161-163F. The math says overall that's up to 1 degree per 5 ohms. It's not perfectly linear however because a 10 ohm change
when at operating temperature on the freeway only seems to shift some 2-3F for my vehicle. At 5 degrees per ohm, to overcome a 205F temperature and knock this down to 167 F, that's 190 ohms of resistance. However, at 3F per ohm,
this would be 114 ohms of resistance required, which is at least more reasonable. With AC on in the summertime, the coolant temps will likely require a 115-120+ ohms resistance to keep the eco light off. Ambients here are up to 112-113F.
At least now you have the power to tune - in terms of having the eco light on occasionally or have it off all the time. Just be careful because too high of a setting deviated from normal operating temperature can generate a CEL on some models.

Hope this info helps.

Brock

 

correction --- The shipped setting is 82-83 ohmns. Not 82-83F.

 

Thanks Brock. I do agree that the Honda 3.5 engines will swing a little higher in the temp range to maybe 207 or so as you saw when it's cool or cold out and the AC unit is not kicking in very much to bring the fans on as often. I don't know at what time they kick in to just to bring the coolant down when no AC is called for in the off setting. And with that ECO button on newer models engaged, it seems to cycle the AC less often and it does reduce the Cabin Fan speed. We need a good documentation of what else that button does beside retard throttle response. As in does it change shift points as well. So I say this because VCMtuner testing may be different with ECO on vs off, at least in city driving when there is little or less air flow over the radiator.

I only slightly upped the setting but not to 50 yet. But in several more days of testing is sets at close to 167 and down to 162 or 163 while driving. I'm going to be driving to Charlotte this weekend and it's supposed to get into the 70's. So I will test how it does on the Interstate. I too am using a $10 VeePeak module from Amazon that is supposed to be friendly when you leave it plugged in and not drain your battery. I'm not sure I trust it to not drain my battery but it works fine until the day when I can afford an official OBD chip module.

I haven't caused any trouble codes yet on the Pilot so that is good. Seems to be running well and I like that fact that I can break the engine in well with all cylinders firing. I don't need a ring job on this one as well, even at Honda's expense like our ODY had.

 

I would say that its a bit underhanding to take work of another person and patent it.
You want to patent the plug with adjustable resistor, that's fine, because that's the only thing you created.

The rest of it is direct copy of Verbatim design. You even went as far as to copy the pluggable third connection
and used the same plug Verbatim uses on VCM Muzzler 2 design, that's why you are able to offer the stand alone plug.
I guess this is called capitalism.

I grant you the fact that you created a neat solution to overcome the need for multiple plugs.
It also solves the problem of adjusting hot vehicle (for most part, as long as your adjustments are minor).
And enables to essentially zero out the effect of the VCM muzzler, by changing resistance to 0.

I can also see this new dial will scare some people to death, and telling them to adjust the "thingy" to 40 or 60 could be counter productive to the
simplicity of VCM Muzzler.
Inherently, you are giving control to people who have no business mocking around under the hood,
I know few guys on this forum will appreciate the ability to do so, but thats a very small minority.

You could have just sold it for what it is, an improved VCM Muzzler, but patenting it is where I draw the line.

 

Well said maxud. We are into robotics and the "scientific process". That is, our kid learns about this stuff, innovation, etc, etc, etc. I showed him this stuff and he is learning about patenting now. We told him this is not how its done, though its true about getting something to the market first (we see the concept in the movies a lot, but not how its done). There is something called the inspire/innovate award where others copy a design and credit the originator... one of he original design with most following gets that. Others copy it, improve it, and then present it as something they started from scratch. Thus an engineering notebook proves who really did not have it from start... Blah, blah. Moving on.

In addition to Patent, this guy is also just improving the product based on previous research and doing some experimenting himself. When another idea comes up, it is also described as something like I was working on something <insert same idea with more elegant rewording> because it needs to be documented as such. Its part of the patenting rules/scientific method. There is a website where it lists things (rules) and instructions for Patent and how much it costs, etc.

What I glean from this thread is that he does reference the Muzzler and "other" work. He recognized the opportunity and then bought an Ody, has access to few other Hondas (so do we). Added on something that is same as others thought, but quick to put it together and patent it. Then come to this and other sites and have it be more developed.

When folks like sontakke and dvpatel give other ideas, it is re-presented with slight variance in idea and described so that it "acts" as a scientific log (see previous posts). By patenting the core step in the process, it is hard for others to "better" the product because that would now be a breach. So any idea other that the analog, is in concept so far but he can actually develop it (as he puts it "concept to reality").

As for the rest, he is testing and applying same adjustment process as the muzzler but in real-time. My 12-yr old kid has yet to work on implementing the dial but yeah even he had this idea as a not professional engineer. After I showed him some of these posts, he said "Whoa. I thought this kind of stuff happens only in the movies" and I laughed. He did not see the "cool" part of it.

Capitalism. If this guy sold it for what it is, then there could be other improvements or better products. Now if someone wants to even think of improving it, they should try it out on their own and keep it there. If they post too many details, this guy can actually assemble it for his sales. If and when my kid actually makes his version I might try it out and mention on the forum. That would be it.

 

Remember Armstrong (fellow alumnus )and FM. RCA ripped him off. How about the guy who invented the intermittent wiper and the auto industry just robbed him. Who really invented AM radio? Verbatim thank you. Hey vcmtuner you're fake news.

 

funny enough I just watched "The Founder", the story of McDonald's. Really hits home, but on a different level.

I dont have a problem with another guy copying VCM Muzzler, I think there are a bunch of clones of it already.
It does not take an "Inventor" to put it together. Hell, back in the day, I made 10 muzzlers myself for the older 05-06
Ody's, because Verbatim only sold newer connector styles.
But this guy went above and beyond to screw everybody.

I mean look at what he is saying. He tries and fails to come up with "Original" design, so he just copies Verbatim's one to one.
He says he wants to "improve it" and has a "whole different way" to disable VCM, but patents and sells direct copy.
Boy this irks me like nothing else.

Go peddle your crap somewhere else.

 

Hat's off to you Brock, I think your improved version is great, and different/improved enough to not step on the other guy toes.

But using a resistor in line to fool a temp reading is not new. It been used with HHO guys at least 12 years ago in a free open source forum, so i'm not even sure how anyone could protect the original patent, unless his patent predates those guys. (but then again who know possibly a application patent.)

My only gripe is the $10 shipping cost. Paying $80 Plus for a resistor is hard enough, but then $10 shipping just makes me want to just simply make my own.
Personally I'd like to see a $25 DIY "resistor kit" with no patent.

 

The shipping is 2-3 day USPS priority mail for $10.00. Cost on that is about $9.00 locally. For $1.00 cent difference this does not cover gas to the post office from my rural location (14 miles). I offer first class mail for $5.00, that takes about 3-5 days. The patent has a bunch of new art and ideas around disabling vcm digitally and with some other methods dynamically, including analog tweaks. The patent is only a tool to stay in business, not put someone else out of business. The core claims only patent the process w/ a variable resistor/rheostat with some other conditions. I don't know why everyone gets so bent out of shape on patents, most people barely even understand patents. I happen to do patent work in conjunction with my regular day-to-day engineering job. Most people have no idea how patent law, litigation even works. If you intend on staying in business these days, you better damn well have a patent handy, otherwise be prepared to get run over. Glad so many Purchasers are enjoying the product. It's nice not being locked into a particular value and having some flexibility, as well as not having to order/make other parts.

 

All of this considered, I too would like to recommend that vcmtuner be removed as a member and be required to purchase a sponsorship on the site in order to promote his business. He violated site rules, and is obviously starting a commercial venture. He should expect to be treated as such.

 

The patent I filed covers an analog version w/ a potentiometer, as well as an enhanced digital version.
I also devised another method in the patent to disable VCM outside of the temp sensor hack.

I have designed a digital pot version that is a concept in the patent, including line drawings. The digital concept is actually not very difficult, just time consuming and expensive to get off the ground. The design can utilize bluetooth w/ odb2 combined with the ECT1 sensor or a direct calibrated method off of the ECT1 sensor.

You should be glad the market for VCM defeat devices is expanding with some more options/improvements. Do you think verbatim should have a lifetime exclusive right to sell the only VCM defeat product? Even if other improved products exist?

"The patent I filed covers an analog version w/ a potentiometer, as well as an enhanced digital version.
+
I have designed a digital pot version that is a concept in the patent, including line drawings.
+
You should be glad the market for VCM defeat devices is expanding with some more options/improvements."

?
Actually, expansion stops here (with you). Remember that you took "others" research. Expanded on it by adding one thing. Patented its core, including digital version of it by concept.

So, "Do you think verbatim should have a lifetime exclusive right to sell the only VCM defeat product?" would be a NO. There were others that tried variations. What variation of "another" product could anyone try without utilizing variability analong/digital that is "not" patented?


"Patents don't stop individuals in the marketplace from building their own stuff."
> Right. If there was an improvement or something else, it must be not related to the current design according to your patent discussion. That improvement cannot be "commercialized" (you said that in previous post). If and only if there is another design that does not build upon and improve, it is considered unique (patenting stuff I read). If it uses it, it is not unique.


"Patents don't stop individuals in the marketplace from building their own stuff. Patents are a defensive tool, not an offensive tool. There are about 4 people selling products right now."

Again. Make stuff for yourself as DIY (you said that already). You just stopped them from improving anything but the base resistor capability. Once the variability comes into play, it cannot be analog type, or digital type. It needs be some kind of magical type, or reprogram onboard computer type.


If there was no patent, for example, what sontakke and dvpatel said previously would have been "another improvement" over this. But the base step would have been the variable resistor feature when not a patent (which promotes additional innovation).

Perhaps you can produce the product that referes to "I also devised another method in the patent to disable VCM outside of the temp sensor hack". It should not involve the current ECT harness that initially verbatim created that you plugged into and then added what you currently call the variable resistor plug.

This should be/would be available product already. Right? If ordered you should be able to ship it out in a few hours?

 

Patents ultimately are decided by examiners what is an improvement and what is patentable.
Different countries have different criteria for what is patentable in terms of prior art.

The patent is just a long-term tool to stay in business. Do you have any idea how many people here said it's a stupid idea to even try and get dealerships to sell the product, or
make the product carb compliant? If so, why do you even care what I am doing. The market for vcm defeat devices is small right now.

I'm making an investment in this line of work. Some of you here will think it has potential, some of you will think it's a long-shot. I do think it's a long-shot to hit a mass-market with the product, but it is possible. Cracking that code has great rewards.

I filed a patent because I want to protect the work I am doing now and for the future. I don't see the existing iteration something that would be sold mass-market to dealerships etc. Its works but can be much better.
A patent attorney would tell you that trying to patent a wire harness and resistor port w/ for temperature gauge modification would be a waste of time, so you have to get creative in terms of how you do a patent claim.

You can find it on USPTO when it's published. I've been on the forum to talk about VCM related issues, with my product and vcm in general as I continue to tinker with the car and support others who have used the product.
Many on this forum have been a real pleasure to speak with collaborate with on feedback and improvement, and I appreciate it. I'm not going to waste any further energy talking about the patent on the forum. Those who don't understand it lose their damn mind
and make too many assumptions. Case in point w/ some earlier posts in this thread.

 

Okay guys. Please calm down a little. I too am only sore about the fact that the changes are being patented and think that after that patent passes, nobody else would have any incentive to enhance this product any more. But that ship has sailed. vcmtuner now meets the site's term whether we like it or not. It is a free country and a free site. If you guys want to post your displeasure, great. We hardly delete any posts and as long as you all keep it civil and do not make me delete posts, all is well. Please be respectful of each other while discussing your displeasure.

 

And just to put the patent concerns from those on the forums here to bed...
I pulled an excerpt from the background section of the patent, this is the section that lists the prior-art. Here is what is listed.
"[0004] As an example, some users discovered that VCM type features were disabled on some vehicles until they were completely warmed up to normal operating temperature and made plug-in harnesses that would reduce the temperature sent to the ECU to keep the temp below a specific point and disable VCM/ECO using an inline resistor"

And a section specifically referencing verbatim's work w/ the muzzler, in the summary of the invention section.
[0007]. .... This can now be fine-tuned to work in all climates without having to de-install the unit or make multiple plug-and-play dongles that would need to be plugged into the wire-harness"

So there you have it. Like I said earlier I won't be answering any more questions on the patent. Too many have already jumped to conclusions about it.

 

Ah, the final argument tool: "You people are too dumb to understand." Well, you started your thread with "I am an engineer..." I too am an engineer, and understand what patents are for. To protect you from someone else ripping off your "invention." What's rubbing people the wrong way is you are taking something that was in the public domain, open art really, and putting a patent on it like you've done something original. Just doesn't seem "new and non-obvious."

 

I'm an engineer too. Someone fell asleep at the Ethics for engineers 101. IEEE should cancel your membership if you're a member.

 

I am an engineer too. Bring a product here that you keep talking about, the digital, the blutooth, the whatever you invented in your patent, then you will be judged on that. Bring a product here that you designed and tested and not the design that you stole from the board.
So far all you got is somebody else's product and thats what you are being judged on.

To people who read these posts. I want to say, if this FEELS WRONG, it IS WRONG.
I will spend the time this weekend to come up with sources of CTS plugs, resistors and variable resistors.
Make your own, spread the DIY way.
Do not support this freeloader for the product that he has out.
If he comes up with something unique, I got no problem with that, but until that happens do not support him with
your idea's, your thoughts or your wallet.

Here is an excerpt from a sale forum sticky, this isn't even the sale forum
http://www.odyclub.com/forums/23-buy-sell-trade/31123-attention-all-new-members-sellers.html
"THIS IS A FORUM, NOT JUST A PLACE TO SELL YOUR WARES.
CONTRIBUTE YOUR KNOWLEDGE. SHARE.
IF YOU'RE HERE JUST TO SELL, YOU WILL BE DEALT WITH ACCORDINGLY."

drops the mic .....

 

I am an engineer too. Bring a product here that you keep talking about, the digital, the blutooth, the whatever you invented in your patent, then you will be judged on that. Bring a product here that you designed and tested and not the design that you stole from the board.
So far all you got is somebody else's product and thats what you are being judged on.

To people who read these posts. I want to say, if this FEELS WRONG, it IS WRONG.
I will spend the time this weekend to come up with sources of CTS plugs, resistors and variable resistors.
Make your own, spread the DIY way.
Do not support this freeloader for the product that he has out.
If he comes up with something unique, I got no problem with that, but until that happens do not support him with
your idea's, your thoughts or your wallet.

Here is an excerpt from a sale forum sticky, this isn't even the sale forum
http://www.odyclub.com/forums/23-buy-sell-trade/31123-attention-all-new-members-sellers.html
"THIS IS A FORUM, NOT JUST A PLACE TO SELL YOUR WARES.
CONTRIBUTE YOUR KNOWLEDGE. SHARE.
IF YOU'RE HERE JUST TO SELL, YOU WILL BE DEALT WITH ACCORDINGLY."

drops the mic .....

I'm interested in what you come up with. Those connectors seem like they would be hard to find.

I have xt60 connector plugs (you can find them on ebay) that i was going to use to make my own, but i'd have to cut and solder in line under the hood to make it work. That's ok for my 2005 Ody but i don't want to cut wires on my 08.

I don't think anything is wrong, but kind of prefer DIY stuff when it's particle.

 

I put a potentiometer on the sensor circuit about two years ago and ran it for a few months. Eventually I took it out now just running a cold and hot setup. I built my own resistor before it was available for my model otherwise I would have bought the muzzler. But since I have already cut the wires it makes no sense to switch.

I simply posted this for everybody's information!

 

I'm going to use the same variable resistor but I'll paint the knob day-glow orange so I can see it better. I'll then call the patent office. :evil:

 

Yeah. Still this "I also devised another method .. to disable VCM outside of the temp sensor hack" has not been presented. So far vcmtuner has only produced a product of known public research, which is the temp sensor hack.

Along with "other" earlier suggestions was to unplug 2 sensors which cause the cel to come on and that method was not a temp sensor hack.

Wonder what this is? Anyone know? If its just that then please say yes but do not give too much information on it for now.