Any interest in developing an open source fuel economy gauge/computer?

[jmonroe]

I think I might wire up the LCD in parallel and try to cut out the SoftwareSerial completely if I can.
Actually, I might be able to test without the LCD. Once the ELM has established a connection with the ECU, it will send a signal ever second or two to keep the connection alive and the OBDTX light flashes. If I run the code without software serial or an LCD, I should be able to see that light flash and the ELM maintain a connection even though I can't view the data.

[dkostas]

I have a proposal for making almost perfect solution for fuel economy gauge/computer.
The MPGuino kit is a very cheep and nice device providing just enough info for monitoring things related to fuel consumption, especially for the older generation vehicles which do not have OBDII. However, to put a small LCD on your vehicle is not an easy task if you want to keep a good look of your car's interior and options for keeping history or uploading data to the web are also very limited if possible at all at the moment. The best monitor I think would be to transmit the real-time data to the more serious devices such as PC, PDA, Smartphone, etc. The most comfortable way would be to modify the current design so that we could hook a simple serial Bluetooth module to MPGuino board and use it instead of USB. Most of todays PCs, PDAs, Smartphones etc. has Bluetooth as de facto standard and the communication is as simple as with USB connection. Since MPGuino already sends processed data via serial link twice a second, we do not need to write complicated software. It is only the simple terminal needed to read Bluetooth serial port on PC, PDA etc. and show the info on the screen. I think once this step of integrating Bluetooth is made, the monitor software can be created practically in minutes on any platform, be it Palm, iPhone, Symbian, Windows Mobile, Windows, Linux, MacOS, etc.

If Bluetooth module integration is not an easy solution, then maybe it is possible to use Arduino BT version for MPGuino, however, the price difference makes it not so afordable at the moment.

[tangomar]

Guys,

is there an "official" wishlist, features list for the new OBDuino?

Here some ideas.
*Short term*
- extra analog sensors for mods (EGT, CHT, turbo, pressure for HHOs, ...)
*Mid term*
- intelligent curves comparison (for example how close is the car working compared to the theoretical best for that model). It might help early diagnosis of mechanical problems
*Long term*
- interface with GPS (for displaying only coordinates)
- Audio playback on USB/SD cards (so I can remove my stupid car radio once for all).

[mpgx2]

Originally Posted by jim-frank

I haven't read any comments on the retro analog approach, either. Something similar to an old tachometer circuit, using a bridge to balance injector pulsewidth against vehicle speed, maybe.

I don't know if anybody has seen the new Lexus sportscar but
it has really cool analog retro dials. Well, actually they are
digital because analog can't keep up with the motor lol..

An arduino could probably run a color LCD such as:

SparkFun Electronics - Color 24-Bit LCD 4.3" PSP Touch Screen

a cool analog display I am sure could be done..

The other thing is RGB LEDs. Don't know if people have
seen them. They are cool for doing mood lighting.

The pruis and honda whatever-it-is has these and they
go green when driving nice and orange when you push
the motor a bit.

My 12v RGB led strip has three wires, one for each color
and just needs PWM to vary the color. I'm just using some
resistors for now until I plug the duino to it.

[dcb]

Originally Posted by mpgx2

...
SparkFun Electronics - Color 24-Bit LCD 4.3" PSP Touch Screen
..

I can recall discussing "touch" switches : http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...html#post18139
I think the result was that big clicky buttons in a predetermined location probably meant you could keep your eyes on the road more.

[mpgx2]

Originally Posted by dcb

I can recall discussing "touch" switches : http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...html#post18139
I think the result was that big clicky buttons in a predetermined location probably meant you could keep your eyes on the road more.

I'm very sure that functionality like that can easily be replicated
in software.

[dcb]

lol, how do you feel a button in software, for peanuts?

[mpgx2]

Originally Posted by dcb

lol, how do you feel a button in software, for peanuts?

Simply check the voltage on the analog-in port on the arduino.

The buttons are wired to the analog in ports.

That's how you can check if the button is being pushed or not.

On a touch screen display, you read the coordinates of the
press.

On that psp display, you could use existing buttons and not
connect to the touch-screen circuitry. That way there wouldn't
be any major overhaul of the software necessary. But it's
really a matter of personal preference how it would be done.

[dcb]

you missed it. you cannot feel a software button on a touchscreen with your finger. And adding a beeper so you can get tactile feedback is a bit convoluted and burns another pin.

[mpgx2]

It doesn't need to be so complicated.

Just a bright colorful modern LCD display with big
digits for mpg. Add a splash of color for an extra $20.

No need for sounds.. touchscreens.. just keep the
existing tactile buttons where they are.