Real temperature solution - what do you think?

dmurray14 · 01-22-2005, 03:51 PM

The one thing that I find all of the car software lacking these days is a temp readout. Most all factory media systems have the temperature displayed somewhere on the screen. I was thinking this would be cool to have in Centrafuse, too - perhaps have the temperature right next to the time up in the right top corner?

Anyway, here is what I think might work. Some of you may have heard of Dallas Semiconductor's iButton (http://www.maxim-ic.com/products/ibutton/). These are small little 1-Wire devices that can be daisy chained throughout one single bus line (data and ground). I have played around with these briefly, and they are cool little devices. Anyway, they have a serial adapter and a "Thermochron" (http://www.maxim-ic.com/products/ibu...hermochron.cfm) - an iButton with a temperature sensor built in. Using these, we could string one cat5 throughout the car, and have temperature sensors wherever we want - so in addition to the external air temp sensor in the corner of the screen, you could have a page with other temperatures as well (cabin, trunk, engine, intake, whatever you want). I think this would be a really neat thing to have, and would be the next step in making a more complete OEM-like control. What does everyone think about the idea? I'm sure it would be fairly easy for you smart people to program in - Dallas' site is filled with examples and code to get going - I just wouldn't know how to do that stuff. So let's hear it...

Dan

Tred · 01-22-2005, 11:54 PM

i think a temp readout of the actual car PC would be cool and maybe a adjustable warning temp would be cool.

proTONEd · 01-23-2005, 06:33 AM

Looks like a nice idea to me.
But I'm not sure what the CAT5 cable is concerned. Due to the many form of electrical distortion present in a car.
You migt want to take a look at the site of matrix orbital as well. They have character lcd screens to which you can hook up such a Dallas 1-wire temp sensor.

dmurray14 · 01-23-2005, 08:43 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by proTONEd

Looks like a nice idea to me.
But I'm not sure what the CAT5 cable is concerned. Due to the many form of electrical distortion present in a car.
You migt want to take a look at the site of matrix orbital as well. They have character lcd screens to which you can hook up such a Dallas 1-wire temp sensor.

CAT5 is a standard networking cable. Works great for Dallas 1-Wire.

I still don't understand the obsession with the computer temperature...I would much rather have the air temperature outside and inside the car - much more useful and practical.

Tred · 01-23-2005, 01:46 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by dmurray14

CAT5 is a standard networking cable. Works great for Dallas 1-Wire.

I still don't understand the obsession with the computer temperature...I would much rather have the air temperature outside and inside the car - much more useful and practical.

u could have all three if u want. it is practical if u want to monitor pc temp.

Peoples · 01-23-2005, 02:20 PM

how much do these things cost? and is there a website where we can actually buy them?

dmurray14 · 01-23-2005, 07:29 PM

Temp Sensor:
https://shop.maxim-ic.com/cgi-bin/Ma...ew/DS1920&2DF5

$6.76

USB to 1-Wire:
https://shop.maxim-ic.com/cgi-bin/Ma...t/View/DS9490R

$28.04

Batmanatthenewb · 01-23-2005, 09:44 PM

Motherboard Monitor is free program. It can post temps on the screen from anything your m/b can read. I use 800x595 resolution on my system and hide the windows toolbar. This leaves a small area where I can use my mouse and bring up the yoolbar whenever I want. Motherboard Monitor runs in the tray, and tems of processor and case are always shown. If you have an additional temp header, you can run to a temp sensor in or out of the car. That way you can see the temps when you want, but you don't always have to see them when the toolbar is hidden.

Batman

dmurray14 · 01-24-2005, 09:06 AM

That's nice, but I don't think there are spare temp headers on an ITX. Honestly, I really couldn't give a **** what the temperature of the board is - I'm not overclocking it, and I'm not putting it in harsh conditions, so I'm not worried about it. Ambient temp, on the other hand, I would find very useful.

Dan

xBrady · 01-24-2005, 09:11 AM

If you actually care about knowing the temp in your pc why not just use speedfan

jcdillin · 01-24-2005, 09:38 AM

i'm working on a project along those lines already, but I am making mine computer independant, I am going to mount a 4x20 char LCD above my rearview and display compass, indoor and outdoor temps. If anyone wants info PM me. When I have it completed i'm going to post the info into the hardware development forum.

But this is still interesting stuff.