Cruise Control (with MPG sensitive logic)

[backpacker3]

Subarus are already available with that. Look up eyesight it's pretty cool you can even set a following distance with it as well

[California98Civic]

Cool. Subscribed. Thanks for posting your idea and the code too! Looking forward to testing results, if any are planned. Very clever.

Originally Posted by Bruce_3

First, I understand that this thread has been dead for a year, but in case someone else is looking for the same thing I was I'll add my thoughts here.
I like the ideas, and was searching for a 'Smarter' cruise control. After reading here, I decided my stock cruise module should do the job with a Arduino intercepting the incoming speed signal, and outputting a new speed signal to the cruise module. I made the circuit board today, and did some testing. I think some of the speed constants I'm using might need adjusted, but overall I am getting the result I wanted.
I want the cruise to react slower to changes, and allow the speed to drop (but still controlling the speed within reason, after all that is the idea of cruise.) I have some pictures, a schematic, and the program. Once I figure out how to add it here I'll include more information. But I do appreciate all the thought and ideas here that led me to this.
--Bruce

[Bruce_3]

California98Civic,
Yes, this month I'm going to test locally and fine tune the variables for my truck.
By the end of July I have to make a 3000+ mile trip and I will test MPG's then.
I plan on tuning so there is actually more speed drop than I'd like so I will always just press the gas manually on the longer hills to compensate.
I might also add a selection switch to pick between 5 MPH drop or 10 MPH drop.

[Bruce_3]

Well, I've done more testing, and made changes to the arduino program.
I've set the maximum speed drop to be at 10% of the speed setpoint.
Added code to help ease out of the limit 2 condition, and changed my other constants to match better with the response of my truck.
At this point I'm happy with the result (at least locally) and will need to wait for a long road trip over different terrain to be sure.
Thanks again.
--Bruce

[California98Civic]

Cool. Keep us posted as the long road trip develops. Any chance to do the testing ABA?

[Bruce_3]

I can try two round trips here fairly locally, on the same day to try and minimize wind and weather variables. One on the new cruise, and one by switching back to the normal cruise. If I get the time I'll try to do that before my big trip.
I don't think I have a better way to minimize outside variables.
Any ideas are welcome.
--Bruce

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Bruce_3

I can try two round trips here fairly locally, on the same day to try and minimize wind and weather variables. One on the new cruise, and one by switching back to the normal cruise. If I get the time I'll try to do that before my big trip.
I don't think I have a better way to minimize outside variables.
Any ideas are welcome.
--Bruce

If you can, that'll be way cool. I hope you enjoy your trip too!

[Bruce_3]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

If you can, that'll be way cool. I hope you enjoy your trip too!

Thanks, but not a chance. This trip is for work.

[Bruce_3]

Bad news, made my trip and the new cruise works fine until using it at speeds over 65-70MPH. Then it only works for a few minutes and quits. Maybe a problem with my signal output, or the arduino is not keeping up.
If I iron it out, I'll let you know.

[Joggernot]

Originally Posted by Bruce_3

Bad news, made my trip and the new cruise works fine until using it at speeds over 65-70MPH. Then it only works for a few minutes and quits. Maybe a problem with my signal output, or the arduino is not keeping up.
If I iron it out, I'll let you know.

I had a similar drop-out problem. Part of the problem was lack of power (couldn't hold the speed, so it dropped out), and the rest was overheating somewhere. I sold the car without fixing it.