New WPS500X accessories

This month we bring news of not one, not two, not even three... but five new accessories to complement your WPS500X pressure transducer:

		AST adaptor set The Pico AST adaptor kit enables you to use your WPS500X as a replacement for the gauge in a wide range of AST pressure testing kits. This kit enables you to re-use your existing adaptors and still gain the advantages of seeing pressure activity in real time with the WPS500X.
		Sykes-Pickavant adaptor kit The Pico Sykes-Pickavant adaptor kit enables you to use your WPS500X as a replacement for the gauge in a wide range of Sykes-Pickavant pressure test kits. This kit enables you to re-use your existing adaptors and still gain the advantages of seeing pressure activity in real time with the WPS500X.
		Vacuum tap The Pico Vacuum Tap provides a simple way to connect the WPS500X into an existing vacuum hose. Simply disconnect one end of the hose, insert the tap and use an additional short length of hose to reconnect the system.
		Fuel hose pressure tap (small) The Pico fuel hose pressure tap provides a simple way to connect the WPS500X into an existing fuel or other suitably sized hose. Simply disconnect one end of the hose, insert the tap and use an additional short length of hose to reconnect the system.
		Fuel hose pressure tap (medium) The Pico fuel hose pressure tap provides a simple way to connect the WPS500X into an existing fuel or other suitably sized hose. Simply disconnect one end of the hose, insert the tap and use an additional short length of hose to reconnect the system.

Competition time... Win an NVH or WPS500 kit!

Last month we announced our new Waveform Library competition. We've had nearly 200 waveforms uploaded since the competition started. Don't forget, the more waveforms you upload, the greater your chance of winning. Every uploaded waveform is another chance to win!

A reminder as to why you should enter the competition, we are going to give 1 lucky winner the choice of receiving either an NVH Diagnostics Kit, or a WPS500X Pressure Transducer Kit. Plus Four runners up will win one of our Coil-on-plug and signal probes.

To enter, simply save your waveforms to the Waveform Library. The more you save, the more chances you get to win! All the waveforms uploaded to the database between June 1st and August 23rd will be entered into the draw. Only one prize per customer. There is no cash alternative. You cannot choose an alternative prize (except where stated). Winner to be announced in August Pico Technology Automotive newsletter.

To access the Waveform Library you must have an automotive scope connected and have a valid user name and password for the Pico Automotive forum.

Top Tech Live! 2015: Review

Top Tech Live! 2015 was a fantastic show. A new format that included open discussions, interactive training sessions, fact filled informative classroom presentations, and of course announcing the winner of one of the most respected Automotive Technician awards of the year, there is little surprise to hear of Top Tech Live's success.

Pico's very own Steve Smith (both a previous winner of Top Tech, and an ex-Toyota Master Tech) gave a 40 minute class on PicoScope, covering Maths Channels and Custom Probes. In addition to this there were classes and live demonstrations from Snap-On, Frank Massey, James Dillon, and Jim Gilmour.

For download relating to various maths channels and custom probes Steve used during his class, please visit our support forum.

Technical question: Noise filtering

We recently had a customer question come through our Support desk, regarding filtering noise on the various PicoScope channels. Steve Smith, our Automotive Applications Specialist responds:

Q: Is there an easy was to clean up waveforms apart from using filters on each channel? I was checking O₂ sensors and there was a lot of noise when watching in real time but the filter cleaned it up at the end of each run?

A: Hi and many thanks for your question. We can take precautions to reduce noise as you have mentioned by:

• Ensuring test leads are not running alongside consumers such as igniter, HT leads, and injectors.
• Ensure the scope is grounded to a good vehicle chassis ground.
• Ensure only the Pico blue USB cable is used to connect your scope to the PC, avoid USB extension leads.
• Remove external battery chargers from vehicles under test (unless required for battery support).
• Be aware of environmental conditions that can effect your capture such as noisy mains power supplies (ground), fluorescent lighting, and overhead power cables.

Incorporated into the hardware and software are features to combat noise such as low pass filters (all scopes) and bandwidth limiters (PicoScope 4225 and PicoScope 4425 only). Low pass filtering does remain the quickest way to filter your O₂ sensor waveform without losing the benefits of fast sample rates and high sample count for other active channels. What you have identified is the filtering function does not update in streaming mode (slower than 200 ms/div).

You only see the filtered waveform at the end of the existing waveform or during replay of the waveform buffer. We are looking into extended the filtering function into streaming mode and I hope this comes to fruition sooner rather than later.

Upcoming events and exhibitions

Hickleys: Simply Diagnostics

The annual diagnostic show, Simply Diagnostics, will be bigger and better this year with more suppliers, more technical features, more diagnostics demonstrations and all in a new modern venue. Simply Diagnostics will held on Saturday 11th July 2015 at a new location. The show will be held at the GTG training and conference centre in the West Midlands.

The shows held over the past years have been a tremendous success with well over 200 customers attending. The various training sessions are of great value to new and existing customers and there will a large range of vehicle demos cover a huge range of programming subjects. Feedback on previous shows appreciation for the high technical content, relaxed environment and the opportunity to pick up jaw-dropping deals.

This year's show is shaping up to be the best ever so don't miss out...

Hickleys: Simply Diagnostics
11th July 2015
GTG Training,
West Midlands,
UK

NACAT Conference

With over 140 sessions, 12 blocks, and 4 training days this NACAT Conference is sure to deliver.

NACAT Conference
20th-24th July 2015
Joliet, IL
USA

Employment opportunity: Technical Author

Do you want to work at the leading edge of automotive diagnostic and test equipment design? Or perhaps know someone that would thrive in our industry and the environment Pico Technology provides?

We are currently searching for an enthusiastic automotive Technical Author to join our existing team. Main duties will involve:

• Writing and maintaining technical manuals with emphasis on automotive products
• Working with external translators
• Assisting with the creation of marketing documents including newsletters, leaflets and presentations
• Creating and maintaining automotive help topics for Pico and OEM software
• Assist webmaster to maintain content of automotive website

The ideal candidate will have:

• Excellent written English
• A minimum of two years' technical authoring experience, within the last two years
• Good organization, communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Experience of documenting complex electrical or electronic products (knowledge of computer systems is not sufficient)
• Basic knowledge of automotive engine technology, whether professionally or as a hobby, is required
• Experience with help authoring tools, DTP software, word processors and HTML editors (would be an advantage, not essential)
• The ability to communicate fluently and clearly in writing

Visit our Technical Author recruitment advert for more information, or take look at our pico.jobs web page and see what else we have to offer?!

Training courses

For a list of Pico endorsed trainers, please visit the training page on our website.

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