Arduino-based GUI for active grille block

[CigaR007]

Been working on the automation of the shutters. Below is my designed circuit with the imagined logic :







That circuit will feed into the arduino code, as 3 different digital outputs.


The coolant sensor voltage from the vehicle is an analog 0-5Vdc signal. The signal will be tapped and fed into a voltage comparator using an OP-amp integrated circuit. Basically, I must determine (ie measure) the voltage that translates into 96c and use that as a reference signal for the voltage comparator. Basically, the voltage comparator will output a logical "0" (OFF) or "1" (ON) based on the desired trigger temperature for the coolant; in this case 96c.

Same applies for the Fan relays. If 12.6+ Vdc is detected, trigger a logical "1" which translates into "ON" in the logic.

Still a long way from implementing this...but it's a start.

[CigaR007]

I considered including the outside air temperature sensor, but as we speak, the sensor is no longer being exposed to incoming air when the shutters are fully closed. This creates a bias in the temperature reading which makes it useless. Even at half-open, sensor reading is not representative of the actual temperature.

I would have to relocate the outside air temp sensor elsewhere If I ever decide to include it as a variable for the logic circuit.

[t vago]

Originally Posted by CigaR007

I considered including the outside air temperature sensor, but as we speak, the sensor is no longer being exposed to incoming air when the shutters are fully closed. This creates a bias in the temperature reading which makes it useless. Even at half-open, sensor reading is not representative of the actual temperature.

Looks like you're already including the radiator fan as an input signal. Just have that signal force your shutter full open when that signal asserts (when the radiator fan turns on).

Originally Posted by CigaR007

I would have to relocate the outside air temp sensor elsewhere If I ever decide to include it as a variable for the logic circuit.

The inclusion of the air temp sensor might be overthinking the project.

[CigaR007]

Originally Posted by t vago

The inclusion of the air temp sensor might be overthinking the project.

I agree, but the temp sensor situation has opened my eyes that I should pay closer attention to the temperature under the hood, for the sake of the sensitive electronics (ie ECU/PCM, etc.).

Not really an issue for the next 4-5 months though...

[freebeard]

Since this is the most software-centric current thread, I'll put this here. If there is a better thread or forum I could repost there.

I Ran Advanced LLMs on the Raspberry Pi 5!

Originally Posted by 2nd comment

@slabua
10 months ago
Clickbait I came here to check the display lol

My too. The display on case design is similar to what you showed at Permalink #1. Check out that Ethernet dongle for SSH.

This is tremendously interesting to me, but it's a little above my pay grade.

Apparently, in the Golden Age, you can have a trove of PDF documents stored offline and query it the proverbial 'six ways to Sunday'. Someone sufficiently autistic could scrape the vBulletin backend and pipe that through an LLM, and distill the essence of Ecomodder.

Who will that be?

[Logic]

I appreciate all the skill and work that went into this.

But wonder if one needs all this hands on control and info?
Don't you just want the shutters to open at a settable temperature somewhere below that at which the fan comes on
and
shut at a settable temperature somewhere below that?

ie: No one knows or really cares when their cooling fans come on and off as long as they do..?
So isn't the same true for shutters?

If not; then the fan and aux fan that comes on with the aircon should be included, no so?

[CigaR007]

Originally Posted by Logic

But wonder if one needs all this hands on control and info?
Don't you just want the shutters to open at a settable temperature somewhere below that at which the fan comes on
and
shut at a settable temperature somewhere below that?

Yes, that is shown on the logic circuit above...

Originally Posted by Logic

ie: No one knows or really cares when their cooling fans come on and off as long as they do..?
So isn't the same true for shutters?

True for OEM shutters that are fully integrated via the ECM and or PCM. If a problem arises, a CEL code is triggered.

In my case, I have to integrate the cooling fans operation status into the logic. The ON status on the GUI is nice to have, IMO.

Keep in mind that this entire process is for educational purposes on my end. Time is not a constraint. I am trying to learn new things and share the process along the way.

Originally Posted by Logic

If not; then the fan and aux fan that comes on with the aircon should be included, no so?

That is an integral part of the logic in the diagram above.

Considering the amount of effort required to automate the whole system, then why not have access to the information in real time, via the GUI also ? I mean, the GUI is mostly done. I just have to feed it data.

[Logic]

Originally Posted by CigaR007

Yes, that is shown on the logic circuit above...




True for OEM shutters that are fully integrated via the ECM and or PCM. If a problem arises, a CEL code is triggered.

In my case, I have to integrate the cooling fans operation status into the logic. The ON status on the GUI is nice to have, IMO.

Keep in mind that this entire process is for educational purposes on my end. Time is not a constraint. I am trying to learn new things and share the process along the way.




That is an integral part of the logic in the diagram above.

Considering the amount of effort required to automate the whole system, then why not have access to the information in real time, via the GUI also ? I mean, the GUI is mostly done. I just have to feed it data.

All very good points. Thx.

I haven't done any programming since writing stuff in Basic, back in the Programmable Calculator days.
So if I 'stick to my lane' here, my system would be a glued on temperature switch etc. With no idea if its actually working or not once the car is moving.

Thx for sharing here.

[CigaR007]

I made a few changes in the logic circuit. I added an additionnal condition for the coolant temp.

The vehicle has two engine coolant temp sensors so why not tap both ? By monitoring both sensors I can create two distinct trigger temps for half-open and fully open before the fans turn ON.

From obervations on the scanguage, the reported coolant temp usually moves in 2 degC steps. I have to consider that when selecting the desired trigger temps.

Below is the new logic diagram :




This is the actual, functional breadboard circuit. Logic works as intended.

Coolant below 96c : Shutters Shut
Coolant above 96c : Shutters Half-Open
Coolant above 100c : Shutters Fully-Open

Should any Fan be ON, regardless of coolant temp : Shutters Fully-Open. My goal is fully open before the Fans come ON. I still need to figure at what coolant temp they turn ON to better tune the trigger temps in the logic circuit.

This condition adds a fail-safe operation should the coolant sensors fail, which is unlikely..



Cheers.

[CigaR007]

I have been observing the coolant temperature for the past few days. With the shutters SHUT, at constant speeds, as soon as the coolant temp reaches 95-96C, it stabilizes and gradually drops to 91C. The cycle repeats every 5 minutes or so.

This leads me to consider that the Radiator fan is running on low speed and the trigger temp seems to be around 96C.

This is a good example why knowing when the radiator fan is ON is useful.