Low cost CAN gauge

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xrattiracer
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Low cost CAN gauge

Post by xrattiracer »

Here's one of the reasons I haven't been getting much done on the Teensy CAN gauge; I have been searching for ways to get the cost down and think I have a couple options now.
I went searching for a microcontroller that had not just a CAN controller, but also a built in transceiver, and came up with the NXP LPC11C24. ARM Cortex M0 running at about 50MHz, 32kB of flash and 8kB of memory. This greatly reduces the parts count and cost of interfacing with CAN, since all this needs is the microcontroller and the normal basic power conditioning and such components. Its also nice that there is support in http://mbed.org/ for it (well, kinda, it took some digging to actually get it to work). The small amount of flash is hard to work with so it may not ever be able to do all the functions that the other multi-function gauges we have been working on, but it will have no problem running a single analog (using a small stepper motor) or digital (using the same oled screen as in the other gauge).
It is my goal to have these cost the same or less than a typical autometer mechanical gauge.

Here is a real basic proof of concept running on a development board. The only inputs to it are power, ground, and the two CAN lines from MS (the cable going off to the left is serial for programming/debugging).
Image
Zaphod
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by Zaphod »

Thanks for your work with all of this.
I think we all greatly appreciate it!
Keep on rocking!
--------------------------------
fun is not a straight line

Image

Sven
http://www.mx-5club-sachsen.de
http://miata.cardomain.com/id/svenmx5
NB-1998-1,6-Garrett T25 HGP Turbo Stage I
richyvrlimited
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by richyvrlimited »

Concur!
2003 MX5. Coldside MP62
-
MS3, RTC, & Knock board, Release 1.2. LC-1 Wideband.
morrische
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by morrische »

Great work............. :yeah!: :yeah!: :yeah!:

The times of cables running between gauges and sensors is over!!!!!
xrattiracer
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by xrattiracer »

I just need to learn to finish one project before starting another. But I love the R & D much more than doing production :lol:
nathaninwa
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by nathaninwa »

Now I like that
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240Z, 2JZ, MS3Pro boost control
eMTea
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by eMTea »

Looks Great!
-MS3X, (V3 PCB) 1.2 RC 1 firmware. Controlling a light modified Audi 1.8TQ AEB 20v engine with Holset HE221W turbo, 299.4 HP and 400Nm at the hubs in Dynapack.
xrattiracer
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by xrattiracer »

Just ordered the PCB and parts. Comes out to around $15 in parts for the analog version and a little more for the digital version. The PCB will be dual purpose for either kind depending which parts are populated.
Zaphod
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by Zaphod »

Can't wait to see this progress.... Top!
--------------------------------
fun is not a straight line

Image

Sven
http://www.mx-5club-sachsen.de
http://miata.cardomain.com/id/svenmx5
NB-1998-1,6-Garrett T25 HGP Turbo Stage I
xrattiracer
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by xrattiracer »

So rev 1 of the pcb showed up, and it had some serious flaws that i didnt catch so rev 2 is on its way already ;)

Image

Image

This is with the stepper motor for a mechanical needle type gauge. there are also pads for a connector for the oled screen. Board diameter is 40mm. As you can tell, this is meant to be very compact to make it as versatile as possible.
These are the only two configurations i have really considered, but the possibilities are endless. Anyone else have any ideas on that front? Maybe one with leds in a circle around the edge as a sort of analog gauge, with or without a digital 7 segment readout in the middle. Or even just the 7 segment readout by itself, that would make for a very low cost version. I've also seen a 1.5" 128x128 color oled screen, but that would drive the cost up and would quickly run up against the 32kB flash limit of the chip.
Zaphod
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by Zaphod »

Thanks for the update, can't wait to see this thing finished...
--------------------------------
fun is not a straight line

Image

Sven
http://www.mx-5club-sachsen.de
http://miata.cardomain.com/id/svenmx5
NB-1998-1,6-Garrett T25 HGP Turbo Stage I
wes kiser
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by wes kiser »

What is the means by which the user configures which CAN channel the gauge is assigned to, and text and what not?

I may buy a few of them to replace my current AFR and boost gauges.
86 Rx-7, swapped to 2.3 ford turbo (BW EFR 6758), ms3/ms3x sequential fuel /waste spark, ls2 coils
88 Tbird 2.3t, Microsquirt Module (PIMP), TFI ignition
xrattiracer
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by xrattiracer »

I intend on having a menu system on the serial port with some basic predefined options. beyond that, it will require editing the source code and recompiling.
knightrous
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by knightrous »

Very keen to see this finished as I would like to use these as replacement internals for some cheap Auto Meter gauges I have :)
'89 Toyota MR2 AW11 - 1MZFE 3L V6 - Need to finish car before ecu :(
'89 Toyota MR2 AW11 - 16V 4AGZE - DIYPNP 1.5v
'90 Toyota MR2 SW20 - 1MZFE 3L V6 - MS3X
Zaphod
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by Zaphod »

Any news?
--------------------------------
fun is not a straight line

Image

Sven
http://www.mx-5club-sachsen.de
http://miata.cardomain.com/id/svenmx5
NB-1998-1,6-Garrett T25 HGP Turbo Stage I
xrattiracer
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by xrattiracer »

no unfortunately. I have rev 2 of the pcb in hand, but will not be able to do any work on it for an indeterminate amount of time due to having to find a new place to live on short notice.
Magovit
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by Magovit »

Zaphod wrote:Thanks for your work with all of this.
I think we all greatly appreciate it!
Keep on rocking!
Perfect words Zaphod. +1 here.
335i //M
walterclark1
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by walterclark1 »

Has anyone found a source for empty gauge housings? I have not. So far I have been able to re-purpose existing gauge housings but it would be nice to just be able to buy inexpensive housings.
A2 VW GTI 9A - MS3/3X
xrattiracer
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by xrattiracer »

I should be continuing work on this in the next couple weeks, I am just now getting situated at my new place.
I have not seen any gauge housings, but I havent really looked since I just plan to 3d print mine. One thing i have looked for and havent found a source for (other than ridiculous prices on ebay) are gauge needles though.
piledriver
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Re: Low cost CAN gauge

Post by piledriver »

xrattiracer wrote:I should be continuing work on this in the next couple weeks, I am just now getting situated at my new place.
I have not seen any gauge housings, but I havent really looked since I just plan to 3d print mine. One thing i have looked for and havent found a source for (other than ridiculous prices on ebay) are gauge needles though.

Would you be able to set the sweep range etc on stepper version?
I can see folks using something like these being mostly used to ""CANify" old analog gauges, like the factory ones.
..
A) solves the guage and needle supply issue, and
B) Makes it the end users problem..

Where do I send money?
I have a dead clock that could become a tach pretty easily.
Always doing things the hard way, MS2 sequential w/ v1.01 mainboard, LS2 coils. 80 mile/day commuter status.
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