OK, here is a small update for those who are following this as well as a question. First, I have decided on a final plan for how this will work in the gauge pod. Since the display takes up just one side of the pod, the other side is open. Centering the display leaves to much unused space to the sides. So I have revised the design to use the extra space. My plan is to center the display and have 4 mode buttons on each side from top to bottom. Each mode button will select the desired screen as well as reset the needed information for each displayed mode. For instance, select the Trip A mode by pressing button 2, then to reset the trip time, mileage, fuel used, max and average speed, etc, press the same mode button for a minimum time. I have 7 standard modes and one settings mode that will require a minimum time of pressing the settings mode button to enter this mode.
The modes that I have at this time is: Main - mileage, in and out temperature, and volts and oil pressure gauges if vehicle normally had aux gauges. Trip A and B - Miles, fuel used in gallons, max speed, trip time in hours, minutes, and seconds. I may include the average speed if I can get a bug worked out of the code. Economy Computer - Instant MPG, average MPG, distance to empty in miles, and gallons remaining. Instant economy gauge - displays instant MPG in numeric and analog format. Well, as good as one can go analog on a digital display. Speedometer - displays speed in MPH in numeric and analog format. Same disclaimer as above. The numeric display is not speed limited but the analog goes to 120. Performance Meter - gives performance data on 0-60 time, 1/4 mile time and speed. I could include estimated horsepower based on a few variables that the user can enter if wanted. Settings - Cylinders including 4,6,8, and 12. Fuel tank size in gallons, Fuel injector size, if the engine is batch or sequentially injected, speed sensor calibration with auto-calibrate, and a few others that are a bit more complex relating to fueling.
The question is, do these modes meet MOST peoples expectations?
Once I get the front made up, I will post some pictures.
[This message has been edited by chetw77cruiser (edited 02-21-2013).]
Hey it sounds awesome to me I don't have any complaints at all looks cool I've always said that it is going to be awesome. I can't wait to see a final product I have decided I will put this in the V8 and not in my 88 as I will be going for collector insurance on the 88.
------------------ 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, let me say again great work on your part. I for one like the options and I think I like the layout. Pictures will tell more, or even a drawing.
I would still like to be able to set the starting mileage. As my 1986 is exempt from mileage it is not a legal issue and I am not replacing the original mileage meter. I will use your computer to track mileage on conversion to 4.9L.
Just make the information input mode simple for this 62 year old, non techie and I will be a happy camper.
Of course with some additional code, the main code has most of what is needed to make a rally/race computer. Maybe the Fiero can get the rally/race computer that never was. One of my 86 cars has the "mystery connector" that I know of.
Just for fun I added a wheel horsepower estimation formula to the code. Based on the NUMBERS, it is with a couple of what the HP calculators come up with. Now I need to get this back into the car and give it a try.
I am finalizing the pcb design and purchasing the last of the electronic parts. This is taking me longer than I expected due to time and starting to use a new design program. Sorry for the anxiety.
This is getting close enough I can taste it. Kind of tangy, needs salt. Suffice to say, I WILL have this done sooner than later, but no set date as of this time.
On a side note, who among us is good with working lexan and/or acrylic? I may have need of your services.
Well send one to me already! We've had enough snow here that I believe the roads are now saltier than soy sauce. The blacktop is now whitetop. I'll be more than happy to salt one of these up for you.
I am finalizing the pcb design and purchasing the last of the electronic parts. This is taking me longer than I expected due to time and starting to use a new design program. Sorry for the anxiety.
This is getting close enough I can taste it. Kind of tangy, needs salt. Suffice to say, I WILL have this done sooner than later, but no set date as of this time.
On a side note, who among us is good with working lexan and/or acrylic? I may have need of your services.
i can, it depends on what ya need. i have access to large brake presses, shears, punchs and other things. shoot me a PM
[This message has been edited by Niterrorz (edited 03-14-2013).]
I made the decision to make this a bit more modular than I previously designed. Instead of the trip computer and the aux gauges being one module, I split the two so that those who want just the trip computer can do so. Overall everything is staying true to the design. Suprisingly, this makes the circuit design simpler as well.
I like the concept of modular and simpler circuits. Not to mention the ability of having a choice. Cannot wait to get my hands on your finished product.
I like the concept of modular and simpler circuits. Not to mention the ability of having a choice. Cannot wait to get my hands on your finished product.
Great work........
Keep on Keeping on. I am ready for the set up when you are.
Sorry for not getting back to you sooner.... Yes, I did get your message. It is a lot to think about, and not sure what to or how to come up with something
I have been patiently lurking..... This is freakin awesome and quality work. When can we see some pics of revisions ? I have beta tested (hint hint) for many mobile cdma android devices, I have also beta tested a few marriages. Phones worked out great and were released.... on the plus side I was released from my marriages too.
------------------ Put the blow torch down please, its just a Fiero.
[This message has been edited by tntcary (edited 04-02-2013).]
Sorry for not getting back to you sooner.... Yes, I did get your message. It is a lot to think about, and not sure what to or how to come up with something
I find a pencil and many sheets of paper work wounders for getting ideas out in the open. Start sketching and see where it takes you! With that, the latest update is . . . not much. I was looking to use a touch sensitive button layout, but that is not the best for use in an automotive environment. I find it easier to keep my attention on the road with regular taactile buttons. I do not have to look at the buttons, but can determine which one I want by feel. If you have an idea what buttons are where, and in what order, one can just reach out and choose the correct one. With the touch sensitive layout, the smooth surface does not lend itself to such use. This strategy also does not provide the tactile feel when a button is selected. There are ways around this, but tactile buttons are better in an environment where you need to keep your eyes on the task at hand. The touch sensitive layout does make a cleaner presentation and is less expensive. If interested in the thouch sensitive layout, send a PM and we will talk.
Otherwise, it is still winter here so much of my time is spent on the roads keeping them clean and safe for the motoring public. Matter of fact, the National Weather Service is calling for 4-8 inches here by Tuesday morning, possibly more in the higher terrain. I will most likely get called in on my days off. Oh well.
I hope to have this along enough in the next week or two to take some still images. Wish me luck.
First post here on the Forum, and im glad its going on this topic. This looks like an amazing and very well designed piece of hardware, and like you said, not just for us Fiero fans, but for everyone that likes/needs lots of data in a small package. I my self am a bit of a data freak, the more i can see the better, even if it isnt all that useful =P at least when something goes wrong ill know! I have actually been looking for something like this for a few years, as i know what i want, but i do not have the skills to make something of this quality or function my self.
I can see this in a few applications that i have been building up over the last few years. One is a home brew go-kart (really more of a miniaturized dune buggy, al-la Mad Max) and the other being my Fiero of course!
Now from what i have read on this topic, it looks like hardware and software are getting closer to finish, but one thing i have wanted to put in my Fiero since the day i got it was a G-meter. And maybe if we are feeling really adventurous, be able to set an audio/visual warning when you go hit a user set limit. I can see my self going out and figuring out where i start to get loose on corners on a rainy Michigan day, and setting it just a bit lower than that. You know, for safety ^^ I have used this part before and its a prity nice little guy for what i was doing, but i don't know what kind of inputs your IC uses. Of course that's the consumer package, and $30 a pop is probably a bit inflated vs what you can get a similar part for bare and in a bigger quality.
Still, I cant wait to see the final product, what ever form it takes!
Frogg
[This message has been edited by KillerFrogg (edited 04-25-2013).]
Originally posted by KillerFrogg: I have used this part before and its a prity nice little guy for what i was doing,
From the linked page:
"The Memsic 2125 is a low cost, dual-axis thermal accelerometer capable of measuring tilt, acceleration, rotation, and vibration with a range of ±3 g." Um.....Isn't ±3 g a LOT of discrepancy or at least VERY inaccurate? It would be like me describing my weight being somewhere between negative 600 pounds to over 600 pounds! Just somewhere between there LOL.
"The Memsic 2125 is a low cost, dual-axis thermal accelerometer capable of measuring tilt, acceleration, rotation, and vibration with a range of ±3 g." Um.....Isn't ±3 g a LOT of discrepancy or at least VERY inaccurate? It would be like me describing my weight being somewhere between negative 600 pounds to over 600 pounds! Just somewhere between there LOL.
if I read the quote right, it is a Range of 3g which means it can read up to 3G positive and 3G Negative. Or a range of total 3g meaning 1.5 + and 1.5-G as it says range not error of 3g. 1.5G would probably be not enough for serious braking, but 1.5 in a corner is way beyond what any stock Fiero can do.
------------------ 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.
Originally posted by Capt Fiero: if I read the quote right, it is a Range of 3g which means it can read up to 3G positive and 3G Negative. Or a range of total 3g meaning 1.5 + and 1.5-G as it says range not error of 3g. 1.5G would probably be not enough for serious braking, but 1.5 in a corner is way beyond what any stock Fiero can do.
That makes a LOT more sense. I totally read that the wrong way!
quote
Originally posted by chetw77cruiser: None at this time. Winter is still here and 60 Hrs a week is not helping.
+-3g in each direction. So if you can pull a 3g trun in your car you could measure it with that guy so 3g may be a little overkill for turning. But it is probably in a good range for acceleration and braking?(don't know any numbers on that one. just a guestimate.) And that was just an example of hardware that i have used on robots in the past for things much more mundane (well having a robot that i can drive around and shoot Frisbee is prity cool) there are others out there that are probably better suited to something like this. Now i know that this can be a bit touchy for some programmers that put alot of time and effort into their software, but will we have access to source code, or at least documentation, so that the more curious of us can add/change/customize this sweet little unit?
[This message has been edited by KillerFrogg (edited 04-26-2013).]
great trip display, being an ausy, we have litres / kms, and our gallons are imperial, can these params be calculated into the computer, and I haven't seen any price for your trip computer. my preference for mounting would be below radio as I don't wish to change the car from original, its the delongpre collector version from California.
Get back to work. Nothing to see here. Move along.
Seriously, now with warmer weather I am finding that time is still at a premium. A good portion of my time is spent at the family farm. Enough with the excuses, I am still proceeding on this project. I have a couple circuit boards finished that I need to test, but they are done. I just need to finish the face plate/mounting. Once that is done, I should have a couple ready to send out for testing. I hope to have them ready for Indy, even if I may not be there.
quote
Originally posted by ausy88gt:
great trip display, being an ausy, we have litres / kms, and our gallons are imperial, can these params be calculated into the computer, and I haven't seen any price for your trip computer. my preference for mounting would be below radio as I don't wish to change the car from original, its the delongpre collector version from California.
I have already programmed for those who are located elsewhere in the world. The price is not set at this time, but I will have a better idea when I get a couple finished. I can leave the mounting location up to you. I can leave out the face plate/mounting hardware and just send the electronics if you are up to the task. Remember, this is designed to fit in the aux gauge pod above the center console, so anything with the aux(rally) gauges should be fine.
P.S. Sorry, no pictures yet. No peaking at your presents.
[This message has been edited by chetw77cruiser (edited 05-19-2013).]
Maybe the Fiero can get the rally/race computer that never was. One of my 86 cars has the "mystery connector" that I know of. 
