Thread: Fusion Brain CarPC LT1 dash gauges project

I have one!

I have MDX pulsing every tenth of a mile based on speed and the 65ms logic timer. With a virtual brain, I set the speed to 60 MPH and took my recliner for a 150 mile trip. Played with RR, surfed the web, listened to some music. There were deviations, but never got over a 0.1 out of sync. Seemed to want to correct itself when things calmed down. At the end of my trip it hit the correct tenth of a mile 3 seconds early.

The pulses are being received by ENM's T45A2 LCD module. 10 year memory, 2nd re-settable trip channel, back light. Hooked the whole mess up in the car tonight and drove half a mile on my jack stands.

P.S. Second FB is in handling photo sensor, inside temp, check engine, security, high beams, turn signals, alternator, brake, low oil and skip shift. Dual screen with RR is working. I have inside and outside FB temps displaying in RR through COMs. Ready for third brain as soon as I decide PWM or relays for my blower fan.

You brought the wires back! Not only that, but you added electrical tape and some wire nuts...plus a little natural dirt to top it all off.

Hope you used your seatbelt during that 150-mile recliner cruise.

I'm following your project closely because you are doing exactly what I will be doing in my 1934 Ford pickup streetrod. I think I have an advantage over your project though--mine has no factory stuff to figure out.

Originally Posted by Dan2008

You brought the wires back! Not only that, but you added electrical tape and some wire nuts...plus a little natural dirt to top it all off.

I'll clean it up when it gets warmer

Jes' sayin' it looks more like a REAL project now...

I do have a couple of questions about the display you are using.

1. What did you have to do to get it to work (any special circuitry, etc)?

2. Does it have any memory--especially non-volatile memory (so it can be used as an odometer)?

Didn't hurt my feelings. It was a rush job to get an answer out for another post.

My FB operates it. The module is a simple counter. For each 12V pulse to the input lead, the display increments 0.1. You decide 0.1 of what (miles in my case). The first channel is permanent and displays "Total" below the number. The second channel says "Trip" below the number. And if you hold 12V to that trip lead it resets. Both go to 999,999.9 and then rollover. It has a 10year non-volatile memory (no power applied). It also has a nice even backlight available in a different colors. Mine is the standard Yellow-green. Its perfect.

You need something to pulse 12V to the input lead every tenth of a mile. I'm using the FB, a time/speed calculation and a Radio Shack micro relay (1A). A counter circuit based on a dedicated PIC counting the VSS pulses would be better, but I don't know how to make and program one. Like this without the display: http://picprojects.org/projects/counter/counter.htm

That sounds simple enough. I like the idea of having it controlled by the FB because it cuts down on the number of separate modules you need.

Since I'm building my truck from the ground up, I want as few dedicated circuits as possible. When I get to the stage of installing electrical components, I plan to control everything via computer and FB.

It will be much easier than converting GM/Ford/Honda, etc factory stuff since all I have to do is add logic and fire relays. My "VSS" is a pulse generator that screws in where the original speedometer shaft goes into the tranny.

The HVAC is a generic streetrod unit that only needs relays to control it (along with a temp sensor), power door latches and windows have relays already so I just need to create logic for them. The remote door opener will also be able to open/close windows and energize/de-energize the alarm.

This is so cool. You're taking the FB beyond what we ever intended it to do... cool to see it is capable of such precise timing and counting.

Originally Posted by greenman100

this is so cool. You're taking the fb beyond what we ever intended it to do... Cool to see it is capable of such precise timing and counting.

+1

Hey guys, I have been reading through these forums for the last 18 months as I get to the end of my 68 Mercedes build. I have a Twin Turbo 350 using TPI and a 1987 Camaro ECC/PCM/ECM. I wanted to the achieve the same result as is being discussed in this thread, however I dont have the cash, electronic know how or the time to replicate the incredible job that ACCLR8N has done.

After a few weeks of trawling the net, reading through forums etc, I finally found something to read the OBD I / ALDL data stream of the 87 Camaro ECM, which gives me a virtual dash containing information such as RPM, Speed, Mass Air Flow (MAF), Volts, O2 readouts, knock retard, timing (in degrees below TDC), water, temp, air temp (intake and mass air), injection info and a few others.

Basically the software, in conjunction with an OBD I / ALDL cable does data logging and displays it all for your viewing pleasure, without the need to create custom electronics.

I considered using the FB v4 to accomplish the same task until I came across this nifty piece of software. There are tonnes of vehicles you can choose from to customize the data stream, you dont have to have an 87 camaro ECM to use this software, it caters for vehicle from about 1982 all the way through to 2009 models.

My hat's off to the creators of the FB, in fact, I will probably use one anyway for some other custom tweaks I want for my RR setup and my car, such as automatic driving light activation and air bag suspension activation. I guess I just wanted to let people know that there are some reasonably well developed applications out there to cater for the OBD I / ALDL market.

And the software, its call EfiLive (www.efilive.com)

G