Thread: Need I/o module that doesnt need a PC

Im looking for something thats a little more friendly as far as user interface. Im not a computer programmer. I suppose any PIC out there would handle what Im asking for but Im looking for something that includes a program that is easy for a mechanic and not a techy to use. Im not completely retarded as far as computer language goes but itd save me hour upon hour of teaching myself how to make it work and time is money. Having a windows based computer program that I can type in little windows what I need it to do would help me quite a bit. As I said something to the equivalent of a programmable fuel injection unit, including the software, no matter how generic it may be. Even the capabilty of telling it that if pin x goes high then pin y outputs z ect. I dont need a drop down window of things it can do, just the abillty to easily program inputs and outputs without a PC involved at all times

I'm not entirely sure there is something out there that would meet these needs. A microcontroller based solution (which seems to be what you are looking for) isn't exactly a simple thing. Though you might want to check out http://www.oopic.com/ . A friend of mine got that, he's not much of a programmer and he figured out how to make it work.

Ill look into it. Wish there was a product made with cars in mind that did something like I was desribing, would make lighting and power distribution control so much easier and more interesting. Till then Ill research this and hope that this or something else pops up. Actually ISIS by littelfuse is similar to what Im looking for.. without the whole vehicle wiring harness having to be run through it or the cost.

I believe the Arduino may be right down the alley of what you are looking for.
www.arduino.cc

Originally Posted by mattnsac

...
What Im looking for is a chassis equivalent of a standalone fuel injection unit. I can program the inputs and outputs with a PC, burn it to memory and unplug the PC and itll perform whatever I programmed it to do. Im not so interested in having a full-on pc in the car but I can think of about 300 different things I could use a device like this for but cant do it without building some fairly complicated circuits otherwise.

So you are looking for (?):
nodes with µC and I/O Ports which you can place everywhere in your car - into the doors, dash, trunk, roof, ...
Then you want to define that Port 1 of node "dash" is an input and should switch Port 4 of node "driver-door" with some simple logic written in Basic or Labview at the PC ? Those nodes should communicate with each other preferably by CAN Bus ? Port 1 is your electric window switch and Port 4 is the electric window motor certainly...

Me is looking also for that...

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but figured I could contribute.

A Motec PDM (Power Distribution Module) is exactly what you're looking for.

The PDM15 has 15 outputs (eight 20 amp outputs and seven 8 amp outputs and 16 switch inputs), the PDM30 (30 outputs, 16 inputs), the PDM16 (16 outputs, 12 inputs) and the PDM 32 (32 outputs, 23 inputs). Outputs can be paired together to increase amperage. So a 40 amp radiator fan could use two 20 amp outputs together.

The Motec is very, very impressive. Easily programmed with a lap top. It also runs diagnostic on the circuits and can log errors as well as display them on the dash. It will re-try a failed circuit. All the switches are pull to ground and programmable as well. It eliminates all the fuses and relays. It can communicate with a dash and ECU through CAN.

I have a friend who installed one in a rally car. He has most of the switches on the steering wheel, rather than on the stalks and dash. Push the 'Lights' button once and the low beams turn on. Push twice for high beams. Push once again to turn them off. Push the horn button once and it will honk for 3 seconds. Push twice and it will honk repeatedly for 10 seconds as well as flash the high beams. Turning on the car takes a code of horn, lights, turn signal switches, rather than a key or start button.

The PDM15 starts at $1750 and the PDM32 is $5200. They do not include connectors or harness.

http://www.motec.com.au/aboutpowerdi...utionoverview/

Others to check out (along with ISIS already mentioned):
http://www.obr.uk.com/
http://www.p-r-s.com/main.htm These guys used to carry Life Racing PDM's and now carry E-Plex
http://www.edd-tech.com/products/

Pete

Originally Posted by malcom2073

$1750? That's laughable for $50 worth of parts.

http://www.electronickits.com/kit/co...lec/ck1610.htm

That uses a standard AVR microcontroller, which you can program to do pretty much anything you want.

So you can pay $117 and have a learning curve, or pay $1750 and have a little less of a learning curve. This is why I laugh.

That is nothing like the hardware thats in the Motec PDM. It also looks like you need to have a PC connected to that controller for it to work. Its not standalone.

The Motec does not use relays or fuses. Get debris caught in your radiator fan or over heat a fuel pump and you're out of a race or broke down on the side of the road. With the Motec, it will re-try the failed circuit and you're up and running again without having to replace a fuse. For race teams, its well worth the price.

A carb and a distributor will run an engine, but I'd prefer a Motec.