Creating a CANbus system on older vehicle

[E-Trabant]

Now I know that it's fully possible by using something like an Arduino or anything (self-made) that is similar to that. Just can't seem to find that much information about it Googling for it, maybe you guys know of valid sources containing information about this subject? Thank you in advance!

[oldtamiyaphile]

The question that comes to mind is why would you want to? CANbus is the most evil thing perpetrated on a DIY vehicle modifier, ever, at least on non hacked CANbus systems, and an unnecessary expense on others (a VAGCOM cost how much?!).

[some_other_dave]

What are you trying to accomplish by adding the CANbus system to the older vehicle? If you want to plug in a ScanGauge or something similar, you will need to add a number of sensors in various vehicle systems, or tap into existing sensors. Or fake up those sensor readings.

If you want the complete OBD-2 vehicle diagnostic capability, you are going to have to add a whole lot more sensors...

And that's before you even get to the data protocols and all of the other stuff that you need to make things talk to each other.

If you only want fairly straightforward information displayed digitally, it makes more sense to tap into the sensors directly, and have the Arduino display the readings to you. Much simpler that way, though still a fair bit of work.

If all you're looking for is MPG info, then the MPGuino is what you want.

-soD

[E-Trabant]

Originally Posted by some_other_dave

What are you trying to accomplish by adding the CANbus system to the older vehicle? If you want to plug in a ScanGauge or something similar, you will need to add a number of sensors in various vehicle systems, or tap into existing sensors. Or fake up those sensor readings.

If you want the complete OBD-2 vehicle diagnostic capability, you are going to have to add a whole lot more sensors...

And that's before you even get to the data protocols and all of the other stuff that you need to make things talk to each other.

If you only want fairly straightforward information displayed digitally, it makes more sense to tap into the sensors directly, and have the Arduino display the readings to you. Much simpler that way, though still a fair bit of work.

If all you're looking for is MPG info, then the MPGuino is what you want.

-soD

Interestingly enough I already have an MPGuino in my personal car, but that doesn't matter. And if I were to use a CANbus system (at least partially), of which I like the idea, then it'd be completely unrelated to the matters that it relates to when it comes to an internal combustion engine.. as the car will be a 100% electric.

I'm nothing shy of hacking into things and with the help of our electronics guy (sensor specialist at a big company that builds transmissions amongst other things, but he's extremely skilled with all sorts of electronics) I'm entirely sure that we could create our own CANbus network. If I can convince him of the added functionality of a CANbus system of course.

Literally everything in the car will have to be redone anyways, see the car simple as a body with suspension which will also have to be partially modified, I was thinking to bag it for added ('modern') comfort and increased ability to handle heavier loads over stock coilovers which are likely to be (severely) worn out anyways.

[backpacker3]

I think you can do this with a haltech? (sp?) ECU I saw a mighty car mods where they did that but I don't know how hat would work with an electric car. Perhaps further researching aftermarket ECU options would turn something up?

[E-Trabant]

Originally Posted by backpacker3

I think you can do this with a haltech? (sp?) ECU I saw a mighty car mods where they did that but I don't know how hat would work with an electric car. Perhaps further researching aftermarket ECU options would turn something up?

Sounds like some good stuff but seeing as the car won't need a traditional ECU, it will need a special kind of controller, it won't have any use adding one.

[backpacker3]

That was why I suggested aftermarket ECUs there are several that are fully programmable that I'm sure you could set up to meet your needs. You could also perhaps look into what tesla uses in the Model S and Roadster they should have a CANbus controller in both of those that you could research.

What exactly do you need the CANbus for?

[t vago]

Moreover, what are you looking to use a CANbus for? The only thing I can think of, that CANbus would be useful for in your application, is to have some sort of electric powerplant control/status interface.

[E-Trabant]

Originally Posted by t vago

Moreover, what are you looking to use a CANbus for? The only thing I can think of, that CANbus would be useful for in your application, is to have some sort of electric powerplant control/status interface.

This, and becuase we have a choice what to use as we're turning the whole car upside down inside out anyways, it'd be interesting to get such a goofy old car to be something rather state of the art by comparison. And having everything connected to each other and only one wiring harness does provide possible benefits, not only for programming and such but also for adding more features along the way. Sort of making it able to match up with a lot of modern cars on all kinds of different fields.