Trip / MPG Computer

[wmax351]

Here you go blue backlight $3.76 shipped for 10 or more!

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/16-x-2-character-lcd-display-module-with-blue-backlight-121356?item=24

Not a bad deal. But it is in blue, and Dealextreme takes ~1-2 months to get to the US last time I ordered.

I am planning on making them in Red and Green/yellow.

If anyone has specific requests for color, I can make one out for that pretty easily.

I am currently working on the prototype for the PCB. Once I finish the design, I will start etching some prototype boards with a toner transfer method.

[mystic red]

Not an egghead. My Dad was an egghead. That being said........




Black with red lettering.

[wmax351]

Not an egghead. My Dad was an egghead. That being said........




Black with red lettering.

I like how those look, but I am concerned about visibility in the sun.

[wmax351]

Working on my prototype board now. Once this works out, I will make the order for the PCB's. Probably from Malaysia. Gotta love globalization. Takes 2 days to ship from malaysia, and about a week to produce the boards.

[thebob]

Ha! Nice use of glossy magazine paper. Everything is looking good! You must have good eyes to solder those surface mount components. I can hardly see the little fellas.

Not going to bother with a fuse? Recommend using an inline one?

[wmax351]

Ha! Nice use of glossy magazine paper. Everything is looking good! You must have good eyes to solder those surface mount components. I can hardly see the little fellas.

Not going to bother with a fuse? Recommend using an inline one?

I'll probably pull power from a fused circuit. The final product will be a box, with 4 wires coming out, with posi-taps on them. One will go to a fused circuit that powers the clock (always on).


I ordered one of the black w/ red lettering LCD's. Those are FSTN type LCDs, which may actually be more visible.


The SMD's aren't too bad, especially when they aren't large IC's. They are 805's (Standard, not metric) so are reasonably large.

[thebob]

I just got my MPGuino today from Jellybean. No time to hook it to the car till next week but I'll report about it when I do!

I think it has the same features.

[wmax351]

I just got my MPGuino today from Jellybean. No time to hook it to the car till next week but I'll report about it when I do!

I think it has the same features.

It does, pretty much. I am going to modify the code a bit. A lot of the features are for people with Nempimania, or an unhealthy obsession with gas mileage. These people "hypermile" by driving geo metro's at 50 mph in the right lane, and coasting down hills, among other behaviors.

[wmax351]

Got the model of what I would like to have the enclosure be. Will probably have to derive it from an existing case, but should be able to get close.

[mystic red]

Son of an egghead here. That looks cool. Can't tell but does it or can it have a lip for in dash flush mount?

[wmax351]

Son of an egghead here. That looks cool. Can't tell but does it or can it have a lip for in dash flush mount?

Nope. I'll look if I can do one. But I am probably going to go with modifying existing enclosures.

[mystic red]

There ya go.

[wmax351]

Figured I'd post an update.

Got the final circuit design worked out. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a good transfer onto a pcb, so my prototype didn't work.

Found a few places to get the boards made. Gotta love china: 5 days lead time, 3 days shipping.

Next step is figuring out the best type of enclosure. This is presenting a  measure of difficulty, as not many enclosures seem to fit, and fewer still have a clear cover. Getting something custom made will likely be expensive, although I am going to give these folks a call: http://www.toollessplasticenclosures.com/default.asp

My current thought is perhaps I will start with a lexan box, and Pot the electronics, with the screen pressed against the face of the plexiglass. Totally waterproof, shockproof, durable, and economical.

If I pot the electronics, I can also stick any sort of mounting hardware in there. Handlebar mount? Threaded rod?

[Jumpin Jimmy B]

 Mounting.

 " I can also stick any sort of mounting hardware in there. Handlebar mount? Threaded rod? "

 I'm thinking whatever case is a final selection may be string enough to secure the workings, but not so strong you want another break in the surface.


 3M interlock, like velcro but much stronger. Stick where needed, move it when needed.

 That don't work, people can epoxy ther own hardware to the case for mounting.

 What do ya want for a $100.00 that's already plug & play?

[Uffda]

Mounting.
 3M interlock, like velcro but much stronger. Stick where needed, move it when needed.
 That don't work, people can epoxy ther own hardware to the case for mounting.

 What do ya want for a $100.00 that's already plug & play?

+1   :2thumbup:

[wmax351]

Figured I'd post an update.

I've been doing a bit of work on the bike to prep it for my upcoming trip. I will install the prototype while I have the tank pulled back.


I've also done more research on a case. The http://www.toollessplasticenclosures.com/ place that can make reasonably priced custom cases, that should let me keep the low price point, and still have a good product. Looks like about ten to fifteen bucks each for a quantity of 100. Maybe a bit more each for a quantity of 50, but there is no setup cost.

The cases will be clear, UV resistant acrylic on the front, and likely black or grey acrylic on the back The PCB will  be either mounted on bosses internally, or with stainless steel machine screws, sealed on installation. The screen will be pressed against the front piece internally, and I may spray a coat of paint around it (also internally), for a cleaner look (no circuit boards visible).

[wmax351]

I hooked the prototype up. The fuel consumption measurement worked flawlessly. 0.17 Gallons/Hr at idle for my bike.

Unfortunately, the speed reading did not work. My speedo stopped working too. So I need to figure out which is the problem. However, I am currently leaning towards making a sensor to put on the brake caliper, and reading off of a magnet glued to a rivet or two on the rear.

[wmax351]

Well, it appears that I toasted the speedometer circuit board. The part that conditions the VR signal. Time for some careful repairs,  to save some serious cash.

Does anyone have a trashed cluster? I mean, totally trashed. I just need a board, nothing special. It doesn't need to work at all.

[wmax351]

Got the gauge prototype working. Time to perfect the code and finalize the boxes. Hoping to have this set up to produce within the month.

I fixed the speedo board with a jumper wire. Works perfectly now. Looks like I toasted it by touching the hot wire to the turn signal cancel wire while running the wire through heat shrink.

[wmax351]

Working on finalizing my code modifications.


Currently, the screens are as follows:


Large, instant MPG
Large, Current (averaged) MPG
Large, Tank MPG
Large, Fuel used
Large, Fuel Left (Tank size adjustable)
Large, Range Remaining (Based on MPG for the tank, with a default of 40 if it is zero (idle or broken speedo) or near infinity (coasting))
Large, Tank ODO


I can add any more features related to speed, fuel use, time, etc. I am removing most of the small text features, as they are too small to safely read on the bike, and I feel it is best to limit the number of screens for simplicity's sake.

Also is switchable to metric with an easy setting change.

I removed the initial power on setup, and modified the default values to ones for the K bikes. If they need changed, the menu is easily accessed with the buttons onboard.

[johnny]

this is exciting news...

j o

[healthy]

wow. seems like quite a few trials, glad to hear you worked them out.

I'm excited to see it running. possible to shoot a video of going through the menu? seems like a good place for people to put in recommendations for cycle order, drill downs, etc.

[wmax351]

wow. seems like quite a few trials, glad to hear you worked them out.

I'm excited to see it running. possible to shoot a video of going through the menu? seems like a good place for people to put in recommendations for cycle order, drill downs, etc.

I'll try to do that today. I added a few other features: a speedometer (useful for calibrating the distance measurements), and modified a few bits of code to process certain items more easily. All functions will work perfectly with metric or US units.

I am planning to try to add a clock (I can adapt some code from a guy who goes by "Falcon4").

[sh00ter]

wow. seems like quite a few trials, glad to hear you worked them out.

I'm excited to see it running. possible to shoot a video of going through the menu? seems like a good place for people to put in recommendations for cycle order, drill downs, etc.

I'll try to do that today. I added a few other features: a speedometer (useful for calibrating the distance measurements), and modified a few bits of code to process certain items more easily. All functions will work perfectly with metric or US units.

I am planning to try to add a clock (I can adapt some code from a guy who goes by "Falcon4").

Fantastic work - will u share the code and the schematic too?

[mystic red]

I am planning to try to add a clock (I can adapt some code from a guy who goes by "Falcon4").

Gots a clock already. Don't you K75 guys have clocks?! :neener: