I like the console location to keep the dash less cluttered, but a HUD would also be great. I am, however, going to have this in two versions. One will be a self contained design if i can find the correct enclosure. The other will be without an enclosure and will be up to the end user to integrate it into their vehicle.
Interesting, I am at the top of each page of my own thread. Dang I am good.
[This message has been edited by chetw77cruiser (edited 10-19-2012).]
Back when i had a 1986 3.8 SFI V6 in my fiero I picked this up from a junk yard. I never used it. It came in 85/86 olds 98's
this morning I went out and placed it the fiero for scale.
the back/wires
the insides
In my 98 park ave, it has a stock "driver information system" ( the green print )
It has a seperate set of buttons to work it. the whole dash would be nice for a 3800 ser 2 engine.
I have a carb'ed set up, and a lot of stuff on the dash. I am using a tci trans controller to drive a didital speedo. I would not have any need for the MPG, ( comp cams roller/ victor intake ) But trip data, all the speed data, and 1/4 mile data, outside temp, intake air temp, would be usefull. Having the buttons that control it mount in the ash tray hole would be nice. only thing i smoke is tires and the other guy at the light. How about a battery back up good for 12 hours or so, so the car can be worked on all day, with the battery disconnected ? Replacing the factory GT gage set would work for me. I don't want the switch's up on the dash. I want to work them by feel, not up were i would look at them instead of the road, or have to reach up TO the dash. I don't like having to scroll through the funtions to get the one I want. But I could live with a little of that. But for the 1/4 data I would like one, deadacated button to start it. Push it when you are staged, when the car moves, it starts. Push it again to stop it and display it. How about 1/8 mile data? One or the other or both? I am in for a unit, I can do remote switch's to suit me.
I know this is way out of the realm of cost and ease to building, but if it had a voltage display and could read the oil pressure sender, people could replace the entire center GT Pod with this unit. Would also make the casing and hardware layout easier as you would not need a back or sides, just large front cover with the buttons and screen.
I know I know, I keep coming up with crazy idea's for this device. If I would have kept my mouth shut you might have already had this ready to ship. LOL.
Once again, I have to say that I like this idea! -Jason
everytime i see an option added i see my ability to afford such an amasing device go down and down. just develope the whole digi cluster with trip computer and outside temp gauge and slap $600 on it so i can start saving already! lol
How about a battery back up good for 12 hours or so, so the car can be worked on all day, with the battery disconnected ?
This is not a problem because all the pertinent information is saved into memory at timed intervals as well as at shutdown. No batteries to worry about.
quote
Originally posted by FFIEROFRED: I don't like having to scroll through the funtions to get the one I want. But I could live with a little of that.
Being able to live with it is a good thing. Getting all the information onto the display is limited.
quote
Originally posted by FFIEROFRED: But for the 1/4 data I would like one, dedicated button to start it. Push it when you are staged, when the car moves, it starts. Push it again to stop it and display it. How about 1/8 mile data? One or the other or both? I am in for a unit, I can do remote switch's to suit me.
I do have something similar that I am testing, but am undecided if I want to include it or not. As it is, the user scrolls to the performance display, arms the timer, and the rest is automatic. The user needs to be "staged" or the timer will not work. When the user starts, the first pulse from the speed sensor starts the timer. Then after what the computer calculates to be 1320' (1/4 mile), ends the timer and displays the time and speed. As can be surmised, the resolution of the speed sensor does have an impact on accuracy of the time and distance. An average Fiero trans has approx. 4000 pulse per mile. That comes to 1.32' per pulse. Wheel spin will also cause problems. Besides, not exactly something one would normally find in a trip/economy computer.
I do have plans for a race computer, but nothing any time soon.
everytime i see an option added i see my ability to afford such an amasing device go down and down. just develope the whole digi cluster with trip computer and outside temp gauge and slap $600 on it so i can start saving already! lol
Luckily 90% of the options asked for and 100% implemented are strictly in code, so there is going to be very little increase in price. Now, I just need to get a couple done and determine what that price is going to be. Does anyone have the ability to make up a few boards at a good price?
P.S. The cluster is mostly done considering that the trip comp. is the heart of the system. Maybe the cluster could be an add-on for later upgrade.
[This message has been edited by chetw77cruiser (edited 10-21-2012).]
Well, so far it looks like I have the programming pretty much wrapped up. I am sure that when I have a board together, I will have to change a few things, but that should be minor. What I have so far is a mix of trip/economy computer and a bit of race computer mixed in for good measure.
Main display with odometer, inside and outside temperature, and an optional oil pressure and electrical gauge. These are bar graph of course. This is for those who want to install this into the AUX gauge pod. The gauges will be enabled using a plug in harness that goes between the stock harness and the trip comp. No settings need to be changed.
2 Trip counters with miles, gallons used, average speed, max speed, and trip time that are separate from the other trip counter. All the above are reset with their appropriate trip display.
A fuel economy display with instant MPG, average MPG, distance to empty (DTE) and gallons remaining. The DTE and gallons remaining have a visual warning when 50 miles are left and 2.5 gallons remain respectively. The avg MPG, DTE, and gallons remaining are reset by the user when the vehicle is fully refueled.
Now for the fun one. I did code up a performance computer for those who are interested. The user initiates the performance timer and has the vehicle fully stopped. If not, the system will issue a warning. Once the vehicle is motionless for a short time, the system will arm. All the user has to then is "Go Like Hell". The system will automatically trigger when the vehicle starts to move. 0-60 time, 1/4 mile time, and 1/4 mile speed results are displayed and will be stored in memory until the user resets the system. Keep in mind that the calculations are based off the VSS, so a low count or wheel spin will skew the results. At this time, I have only the best stored, but I may expand that to the best 5 runs.
I am using Tom’s digital with the OIL / Volts cluster. As of now those digital gauges display in red digits. If I convert to your setup, (so I can mount the trip in cluster), are the bars grafts as accurate as the digit readouts? I am not bias either way toward the bar grafts. I know the GM gauges are not great to start with. Pictures as soon as you can would be great. Thanks again. DARKWING Mike Parker
I am using Tom’s digital with the OIL / Volts cluster. As of now those digital gauges display in red digits. If I convert to your setup, (so I can mount the trip in cluster), are the bars grafts as accurate as the digit readouts? I know the GM gauges are not great to start with. Mike Parker
The bar graphs are eight individual bars, so the will not display .1 volt or 1 psi difference. The volt gauge range is from 10 to 18 volts in 1 volt graduation. The oil pressure bars are in 10 PSI graduations from 0 to 80 psi. As for accuracy, they will be as accurate as the sender giving the information. These are set up for stock senders BTW.
It sounds amazing. As soon as you come up wtih price, it will determine if I want 1 or 2 of them. My modifed 4.9 5spd car will have the new 4.9 built and installed around the 1st of November and I'll be going down to get it. I can't wait for the car, and this will just be the cherry on top fo it. Its also going to make the video of my Top Speed run way easier. I plan to mount my HD Camera to the rear window of the car and as you said, "Go LIke Hell" until I either redline 5th gear, blow a tire and kill myself, or sadly the engine quits making power. (if the engine quits making power I do have an extra 100hp Nitrous nitrous button)
------------------ 857GT Part 85GT Part 87GT Part Caddy, 93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Now with Nitrous. Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.
As promised, here are a few images of the final coding, I hope.
Got to love the boot screen.
This is the initial screen without the AUX gauge adapter plugged in.
This is with adapter in place. The computer does a check at boot to determine if the adapter is in place. If so, this is what you will get, otherwise the previous image.
Aux gauge with OIL pressure warning enabled. There will be an audible alert as well.
Trip A with the full trip time shown. Don't try to work out the math, I did this just to show the format.
Trip B with the actual format in place. All the variables are reset as a set.
The economy computer main screen.
For those who want a somewhat analog style instant mpg display.
Same goes for the speedometer.
Oh, and the fun part of the computer I told you about. Don't try to do the math on this as well. This was made using a simulator circuit that is not the most linear.
That is looking so freaking amazing. I would like to speak to my father in law about this project and see if he has any suggestions on boards. He is an electronics engineer (wrote the code for most of the early Motorola chips) so he might have a suggestions for boards. Normally he just designs them and then farms out the manufacturing, but he is in the US so might now of a good place to get then built for a decent price.
I don't want you to post the details in open forum, but if you could PM me or email capt@captfiero.com and I will send the info to him and see what he says.
I remember back in High School we used to make batches of boards just copied the film to a board soaked in I believe acetone for a bit then pulled it out and drilled all the holes and made stuff. If someone had the ability to copy and dunk say 10 boards at a time that may be a decent cost effective way of doing it.
Oh side note, in one of the images it says speed 0-120 please tell me if can read higher than that. Would it be hard to add another line of text to the fuel mileage display that shows current speed? Not really needed but if it was easy enough, it might be useful to have.
Question did you change screens? The display used on the 1st page looks different than the one on the last page?
------------------ 857GT Part 85GT Part 87GT Part Caddy, 93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Now with Nitrous. Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.
Yes, I did change screens. I found that the amount of information that was gong to be displayed was more than I could with the original display. The current display is able to display more information at a minimal increase in price.
I just realized that Chetw77cruiser does not even have a ratings bar, I think we should change that, he needs some Pluses out there for this amazing gadget.
The New screen looks cool, we will still be able to use coloured overlays to change the colour of it.
P.S. I did not misspell Colour, that is the proper way to spell it. If you don't believe me, google it. =+)
------------------ 857GT Part 85GT Part 87GT Part Caddy, 93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Now with Nitrous. Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.
Oh side note, in one of the images it says speed 0-120 please tell me if can read higher than that. Would it be hard to add another line of text to the fuel mileage display that shows current speed? Not really needed but if it was easy enough, it might be useful to have.
The analog side of things can go higher, but to get an even separation of 5 mph per tick with some overlap, I kept it at 120. The numerical readout does go much higher than 120.
P.S. there is now some discussion about this on the fiero@yahoogroups list that is sponsored by "The Fiero Factory" Hmm wonder if you could get The Fiero Factory to start offering this in their 4.9 Packages.
------------------ 857GT Part 85GT Part 87GT Part Caddy, 93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Now with Nitrous. Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.
Wow, What can I say other than outstanding, out unbelievable standing. This is absolutely great. I can’t wait to get my hands on one with red to match the Tom’s digital. I want it for the aux cluster replacing my digital in there.
Hmm, an obsolete idea huh. Now worries. The idea behind this is to have a device that will work with multiple engine/transmission and vehicle combinations, not just a Fiero with a stock engine. I could use this on the 89 Dodge pickup I have with a minimum of fuss. The injector constant is adjustable from 5 lbs per hour to, well, there are no injectors too big for this. the signal is taken from the electrical side of the injectors, not the fuel rail. And yes, the fuel pressure can be monitored with a minimum of code change. Speed sensors from 1 pulse per mile to at least 40K pulse per rev. I have not gone past 25k because my simulator does not work well higher than that.
Just like here there is always one person that wants to argue. I try my best not to fight, just inform the person in an intelligent manor. (hard for me seeing I am not that intelligent or have any manors to speak of) I'll bet once the East Coast wakes up and reads it, you will get a great deal of Positive feedback.
------------------ 857GT Part 85GT Part 87GT Part Caddy, 93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Now with Nitrous. Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.
Thank you, I will check them out. I chose this display for several reasons. I found that even the wide temp range lcd's would still loose contrast/response at low temperatures, especially here where I live that can go below -40°F on a regular basis in the winter. Another is that the lcd was hard to read when there was any kind of bright light striking it. The vfd with a color filter is readable in all bust the most direct sunlight. The lcd I was using was only a couple of dollars less than the vfd I am using now, so for that is a good price for all the benefits the vfd provides.
Thank you, I will check them out. I chose this display for several reasons. I found that even the wide temp range lcd's would still loose contrast/response at low temperatures, especially here where I live that can go below -40°F on a regular basis in the winter. Another is that the lcd was hard to read when there was any kind of bright light striking it. The vfd with a color filter is readable in all bust the most direct sunlight. The lcd I was using was only a couple of dollars less than the vfd I am using now, so for that is a good price for all the benefits the vfd provides.
-40 Holy Crickes Batman. When we get to -20 I just about say forget going out. With those temps the shocks in the Fiero's can start to "stick" and any ball joint or bushing that is worn and allows water to get into it, will freeze up solid and even possibly break or pop out of its socket when it tries to move. LOL, You need to move North West. Someplace in the Pacific Northwest like Seattle or Bellingham. The Pacific Ocean keeps the temps moderate with only a few short cold snaps. I am in Canada about 2 1/2 hours north of Seattle Washington in Surrey British Columbia Canada. Our local winters albeit chilly have never hit -40. (northern BC spends Months at a time at -50 though) I would not want to live in a climate that I could not drive my Fiero year round.
------------------ 857GT Part 85GT Part 87GT Part Caddy, 93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Now with Nitrous. Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.
Well the other side of that coin is when you live, like me in Texas you get periods of straight over 100 degrees. Last summer was mild, I think the string was only like 20 days straight over the century mark. So the grass is allways greener, right. I have turned on the wipers on a rainey day only to have the rubber stay behind as it had melted to the hot windshield.
I fired off the PCb company to my Father in Law and he had not heard of it, but will look into them. The place he uses is in Denver Colorado. Here is the email I got from him.
Hi David,
Thanks for the info, I will look into the PCb company and see if they are a fit. Currently I use a company in Denver Colorado called http://barebonespcb.com, over the years I have tried numerous pcb companies and had a lot of issues but so far this company has proven to be about the best I have used, you might want to pass this on to your friend to check out.
That's cool, My folks only live an hour from Denver. I on the other hand live about 4-5 hours away. Of course, the nearest populated area is 60 miles away, which is Laramie Wyo. Steamboat Springs does not count.
I want one, mabe 2, any way you build it. I just had a thought, One of the gage companys offers a GPS driver for their speedo's. I don't have one, or need one, but I would think that what it outputs would be what a after market speedo needs. Would that drive the speedo part of your thing? It would remove wheel spin from the input. But i think it would lag a little just at the start. I have a tci trans controller that lets me control the output to the speedo. I have it set at the defalt setting for my didgital speedo, 4000 / mile. the unit lets me adjust for tire size changes so the out put is right. I had to get some custom software patch's from PCS to make it work with the 4T60-E ( and a custom wire harness from TCI ). Your set up would be a big step up over the trip data of the speedo i have. I love the start up screen. To bad you can't make it flash that "On demand" for car shows.
I want one, mabe 2, any way you build it. I just had a thought, One of the gage companys offers a GPS driver for their speedo's. I don't have one, or need one, but I would think that what it outputs would be what a after market speedo needs. Would that drive the speedo part of your thing? It would remove wheel spin from the input. But i think it would lag a little just at the start. I have a tci trans controller that lets me control the output to the speedo. I have it set at the defalt setting for my didgital speedo, 4000 / mile. the unit lets me adjust for tire size changes so the out put is right. I had to get some custom software patch's from PCS to make it work with the 4T60-E ( and a custom wire harness from TCI ). Your set up would be a big step up over the trip data of the speedo i have. I love the start up screen. To bad you can't make it flash that "On demand" for car shows.
But like I said, any way you do it, I want it.
Most gps units update ever second, some can up to 10 times per second. This is good for things as mileage and somewhat for speed, but for the accuracy for things like the 0-60 and 1/4 mile timer, this is just too long. My system is accurate to nearly 1 Millisecond. Also, this has what could be considered an auto-calibration mode for setting up the vehicle speed sensor pulse per mile. It is as accurate as the user can be at pressing the start and stop when needed.
I see in your sample screen shots regarding the oil pressure you have addressed oil pressure isues with visual and audible alarms. How are you or are you also address any voltage issues? Same question regarding the stock visual light for any none charge situations? In the stock set up the incandescent bult is a part of the charging circuit.
I must have missed or over looked discussions regarding the "adaptor" and requirements.
