Questions about mpguino

[MilesPerTank]

for just an inst. mpg reading the 16x2 LCD is over kill. that was the thought at least.

[cowtown]

Originally Posted by MilesPerTank

for just an inst. mpg reading the 16x2 LCD is over kill. that was the thought at least.

It certainly was *my* thought - I was also wondering if a single readout like that needs the full processor power, or if some simpler device can do {2 inputs+some basic math=an instantaneous mpg number}. Just have to adjust for 2 variables and one calculation, as far as my Luddite mind can tell.

[dcb]

I really like the big numbers idea, it just hasn't bubbled to the top of the stack yet. Here is a quick example of what I had in mind (no hardware change necessary):


Also note that we are/will be using the trip functions for calibrating the gauge.

[MilesPerTank]

That looks great. Send me that software version !

[dcb]

I'm glad you like it It is just a mockup, it doesn't do anything and has not been integrated to the mpguino codebase, but here is the code if you are interested. I basically build the numbers with 5 custom block shaped characters (will need to get rid of the current custom characters for this)

PHP Code:

//GPL Software  

byte brightness[]={0,42,85,128}; //middle button cycles through these brightness settings    
#define brightnessLength (sizeof(brightness)/sizeof(byte)) //array size    
byte brightnessIdx=2;    
#define contrast 15    

//LCD Pins    
#define DIPin 4 // register select RS    
#define DB4Pin 7     
#define DB5Pin 8     
#define DB6Pin 12     
#define DB7Pin 13    
#define ContrastPin 6    
#define EnablePin 5     
#define BrightnessPin 9    
#define lcdpowerPin 15


//LCD prototype    
class LCD{    
public:    
  LCD( ) ;    
  void gotoXY(byte x, byte y);    
  void print(char * string);    
  void init();    
  void tickleEnable();    
  void cmdWriteSet();    
  void LcdCommandWrite(byte value);    
  void LcdDataWrite(byte value);    
  byte pushNibble(byte value);    
};    


//main objects we will be working with:    
LCD lcd;    

void setup (void){     
  pinMode(lcdpowerPin,OUTPUT);    
  digitalWrite(lcdpowerPin,LOW);
  pinMode(BrightnessPin,OUTPUT);    
  analogWrite(BrightnessPin,255-brightness[brightnessIdx]);    
  delay(500);
  digitalWrite(lcdpowerPin,HIGH);
  lcd.init();    
  pinMode(ContrastPin,OUTPUT);    
  analogWrite(ContrastPin,contrast);    

  lcd.LcdDataWrite(3);   lcd.LcdDataWrite(2);   lcd.LcdDataWrite(3); lcd.LcdDataWrite(32); 
  lcd.LcdDataWrite(3);   lcd.LcdDataWrite(2);   lcd.LcdDataWrite(3); lcd.LcdDataWrite(32);  
  lcd.LcdDataWrite(0);   lcd.LcdDataWrite(0);   lcd.LcdDataWrite(3); lcd.LcdDataWrite(32);  
  lcd.print("INST");  
  lcd.gotoXY(0,1);    
  lcd.LcdDataWrite(1);   lcd.LcdDataWrite(1);   lcd.LcdDataWrite(3);  lcd.LcdDataWrite(32);  
  lcd.LcdDataWrite(3);   lcd.LcdDataWrite(1);   lcd.LcdDataWrite(3);  lcd.LcdDataWrite(4);  
  lcd.LcdDataWrite(32);   lcd.LcdDataWrite(32);   lcd.LcdDataWrite(3);  lcd.LcdDataWrite(32);  
  lcd.print("MPG");  
  
}     

void loop (void){     
  while(true){}    
}     



//LCD functions    
LCD::LCD(){    
}    
//x=0..16, y= 0..1    
void LCD::gotoXY(byte x, byte y){    
  byte dr=x+0x80;    
  if (y==1)     
    dr += 0x40;    
  if (y==2)     
    dr += 0x14;    
  if (y==3)     
    dr += 0x54;    
  lcd.LcdCommandWrite(dr);      
}    

void LCD::print(char * string){    
  byte x = 0;    
  char c = string[x];    
  while(c != 0){    
    lcd.LcdDataWrite(c);     
    x++;    
    c = string[x];    
  }    
}    


//do the lcd initialization voodoo    
void LCD::init(){    
  pinMode(EnablePin,OUTPUT);     
  pinMode(DIPin,OUTPUT);     
  pinMode(DB4Pin,OUTPUT);     
  pinMode(DB5Pin,OUTPUT);     
  pinMode(DB6Pin,OUTPUT);     
  pinMode(DB7Pin,OUTPUT);     
  delay(500);    

  LcdCommandWrite(B00000010);  // 4 bit operation      

  LcdCommandWrite(B00101000);// 4-bit interface, 2 display lines, 5x8 font     
  LcdCommandWrite(B00001100);  // display control:     
  LcdCommandWrite(B00000110);  // entry mode set: increment automatically, no display shift     


  LcdCommandWrite(B01000000);  // set cgram    
  //create some custom characters    
  byte chars[]={
    B11111,B00000,B11111,B11111,B00000,
    B11111,B00000,B11111,B11111,B00000,
    B00000,B00000,B00000,B11111,B00000,
    B00000,B00000,B00000,B11111,B00000,
    B00000,B00000,B00000,B11111,B00000,
    B00000,B00000,B00000,B11111,B01110,
    B00000,B11111,B11111,B11111,B01110,
    B00000,B11111,B11111,B11111,B01110};
        
    for(byte x=0;x<5;x++)      
      for(byte y=0;y<8;y++)      
          LcdDataWrite(chars[y*5+x]); //write the character data to the character generator ram     

  LcdCommandWrite(B00000001);  // clear display, set cursor position to zero       

  LcdCommandWrite(B10000000);  // set dram to zero     

}      

void  LCD::tickleEnable(){     
  // send a pulse to enable     
  digitalWrite(EnablePin,HIGH);     
  delayMicroseconds(1);  // pause 1 ms according to datasheet     
  digitalWrite(EnablePin,LOW);     
  delayMicroseconds(1);  // pause 1 ms according to datasheet     
}      

void LCD::cmdWriteSet(){     
  digitalWrite(EnablePin,LOW);     
  delayMicroseconds(1);  // pause 1 ms according to datasheet     
  digitalWrite(DIPin,0);     
}     

byte LCD::pushNibble(byte value){     
  digitalWrite(DB7Pin, value & 128);     
  value <<= 1;     
  digitalWrite(DB6Pin, value & 128);     
  value <<= 1;     
  digitalWrite(DB5Pin, value & 128);     
  value <<= 1;     
  digitalWrite(DB4Pin, value & 128);     
  value <<= 1;     
  return value;    
}    

void LCD::LcdCommandWrite(byte value){     
  value=pushNibble(value);    
  cmdWriteSet();     
  tickleEnable();     
  value=pushNibble(value);    
  cmdWriteSet();     
  tickleEnable();     
  delay(5);     
}     

void LCD::LcdDataWrite(byte value){     
  digitalWrite(DIPin, HIGH);     
  value=pushNibble(value);    
  tickleEnable();     
  value=pushNibble(value);    
  tickleEnable();     
  delay(5);     
} 


[cowtown]

Originally Posted by dcb

I'm glad you like it It is just a mockup, it doesn't do anything and has not been integrated to the mpguino codebase, but here is the code if you are interested. I basically build the numbers with 5 custom block shaped characters (will need to get rid of the current custom characters for this)

Now all you need is a gumstick-size board to slip behind the display and it'll fit just about anywhere! With all the creative programming, your next feat will be a scrolling display!

[dcb]

With all those pins sticking out of the nano, and given the size of the LCD, it would actually be a little larger than the custom efforts, i.e. http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...3692#post33692

And I felt enough like Myron Reducto when I was making that

"I'll make you fun sized!"

[awillard69]

That looks great. That would make it easier to read without having to be too distracted. Plus, a big, glaring number would maybe encourage your to drive "better"!

Have it show a steady reading, or cycle through several settings every second or so, or wish, wish, wish, wish...

Keep in mind the 100+MPG people... maybe they won't need the tenths?

Accuracy and reliability before eye candy, though.

[dcb]

Originally Posted by awillard69

Keep in mind the 100+MPG people... maybe they won't need the tenths?

Agreed, the formatter should drop the decimal point if the number is over 99.9

Originally Posted by awillard69

Accuracy and reliability before eye candy, though.

Exactly

[mhmitszach]

Just trying to keep main thread clean.

Does this still work with EOC coasting or neutral coasting? How does it work in that situation. If i shut my car off , and turn key back to on. mpguino would lose power in my car.