GaugeDisplay - Got an ELM? Let's talk.

**malcom2073** · 03-30-2009, 06:41 PM

So, I was bored this weekend and I figured I would try to contribute again. I wrote a simple gauge program to provide OBD2 Gauges to frontends which may not have support for it, but do support external program embedding. This has been tested on an ELM327 and ELM322. I have included a simple xml file to show what it's capable of. It is currently set up for COM1 so if your ELM device is on a different COM port then you will need to change the "comport" property under "gauges".

This supports as many values as you define in the xml file, however some may not be implemented in my library, so if you come across one that doesn't work please let me know.

How to use:
Put the program on a computer connected to your car via an ELM based device.
Make sure the xml file matches the com port your ELM is attached to.

In no particular order:
Start the program.
Connect the ELM device between your car and your computer
Start the car.

Edit (4/4/09): Version 0.1 released with a bunch of new skin file features like: the ability to change colors, calculations inside value for things such as fuel consumption calculation, (see the kmh/mph conversion), and the availability of a status label. Screen show below

Edit (4/7/09): Version 0.2 released. Fixed the calculation issues, and included an example for simple MAF based mpg. Also added time between responses from the ELM in the status label. Also added warning (for yellow) and danger (for red) as a percentage (0-100) for each label. Set it to 0 to disable.

Edit (4/21/09): Version 0.3 released. User settable baud rate and fixed an issue where it just plain didn't work for the ELM323 chip. Also the program will attempt to talk to the ELM without resetting it first to speed up initialization, only resetting if necessary.

Edit (7/11/09): This program is no longer supported. There wasn't enough interest to really justify having a separate program, so I've scrapped the project and integrated the OBD2 display into my frontend; RevFE.

**tom_rosenback** · 03-30-2009, 11:54 PM

Looks real sweet! Will test it out tonight!

**malcom2073** · 03-31-2009, 04:31 AM

Here's a preview of the new gauge look. I'm still trying to get the needle to look right.

**tom_rosenback** · 03-31-2009, 04:47 AM

Super keep up the good work, maybe you can integrate fuel effiency also? What kind of device/vehicle do you have?

**nimikipod** · 03-31-2009, 09:53 AM

i personally think that you are wasting your time. there are allready several programs that could do that same thing - what's te point ?

you want to do something new ? - make you program compatibe with the VAG-COM protocol --> people here will love you and cherish your contribution for a long-long time

H

**malcom2073** · 03-31-2009, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by tom_rosenback

Super keep up the good work, maybe you can integrate fuel effiency also? What kind of device/vehicle do you have?

I have an obdpros ELM327 compatible device, and a 2002 Mazda Protege. I plan on adding the ability to have formulas in the xml file so you can work in your favorite MPG equation

Originally Posted by nimikipod

i personally think that you are wasting your time. there are allready several programs that could do that same thing - what's te point ?

you want to do something new ? - make you program compatibe with the VAG-COM protocol --> people here will love you and cherish your contribution for a long-long time

H

I have no way of doing that as I don't have a VAG-COM vehicle/adapter. If you think I am wasting my time, then please take your negativity elsewhere. The point is I am doing this for myself, and I figured someone might find it useful. Obviously you do not, I am not forcing you to use it.

**pat_vrs** · 04-01-2009, 03:13 PM

I downloaded your app.. modified the XML to use COM2 ...
when i start it.. I can see the form with all gauge.. but nothing happen...

my chip is ELM 323.. do we need to have the new one ?

**malcom2073** · 04-01-2009, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by pat_vrs

I downloaded your app.. modified the XML to use COM2 ...
when i start it.. I can see the form with all gauge.. but nothing happen...

my chip is ELM 323.. do we need to have the new one ?

Did you download it after yesterday afternoon? I uploaded a new version, which should pop up a message box if it cannot connect to the ELM. Also, did you make sure the ELM was connected and your car started before you started the program?

**malcom2073** · 04-04-2009, 01:45 PM

Updated the first post to V0.1. Some notes about the skin.xml file:

<valuespecifiers minval="0" maxval="250" rev="0" values="kmh" function="kmh / 1.609" />

Function takes whatever is defined in "obdvalues" and replaces that with the returned value. You can also define static numbers here, eg:

<valuespecifiers minval="0" maxval="250" rev="0" values="kmh" function="50" />

Would result in the gauge always reading 50. The function parameter supports the 4 main mathematical operations + - * /, as well as parenthesis (). All math is double floating point. You can also have multiple values in there, just as an example:

<valuespecifiers minval="0" maxval="250" rev="0" values="kmh" function="(kmh / rpm) * load" />

If anyone has any issues getting this to work, or any comments/constructive criticism please post them, I appreciate the feedback.