malcom2073

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.

Attached Images

 

MP3Car.com

 

tom_rosenback

Looks real sweet! Will test it out tonight!

__________________
// Tom


Nissan 200SX project @ mp3car

My old car, VW Passat Variant V5 @ mp3car

My modified Kuo skin, named Kuo Blue

Speedtest result

malcom2073

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

Attached Images

 

tom_rosenback

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

__________________
// Tom


Nissan 200SX project @ mp3car

My old car, VW Passat Variant V5 @ mp3car

My modified Kuo skin, named Kuo Blue

Speedtest result

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

malcom2073

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



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

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

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?

MP3Car.com

 

malcom2073

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.

michbound

Nice progress, you seem to be working overtime on this .

Are you thinking of adding polygon shapes so you could do irregular shaped gauges ?

Thanks
Paul

pat_vrs

no, i'm using the old version (gauges with white background)
didn't have time to test your new version..

but when i start your app (old version) .. RPM show the current value.. but freeze there.. nothing more happen.. (didn't see that before..).. if RPM was 850 at startup.. it'll show 850 until i restart the app.. all others stay at 0.

anyway.. I will test new version soon.. i'll let you know

pat_vrs

I just seen the new pictures.. wow !

can u add calculations for l/100km and/or mpg
like OBDMPG for rr

tom_rosenback

Looks better and better everytime I visit this thread. I can´t get my ELM device to connect with your software. What baudrate is it running? If other than 38400 could you possibly add a config parameter for it so that I can get my device connected?

THX!

__________________
// Tom


Nissan 200SX project @ mp3car

My old car, VW Passat Variant V5 @ mp3car

My modified Kuo skin, named Kuo Blue

Speedtest result

malcom2073

Yep, turns out the function parser in the current version is broken, but in the next one you will be able to set a gauge to calculate something (like l/100km or mpg).


I don't think that would be particularly difficult, I am eventually adding support for people to load their own images for gauges so perhaps I'll hold off on irregular shapes until that's in.


That's gonna require a change in my library, so that may be a ways off, most ELM devices can connect at 9600 which is why I started there. I'll add it to the request list though


I should have a new version up either later tonight or tomorrow with the fixed function parser and a MPG example included.

malcom2073

New version in the top post. I didn't get the faster baud rate working yet, but I'd be curious to see what kind of response times people are getting from this.

MP3Car.com