therussman2002

Ive been lookin for somethin like this to start phase two of Project: Waste Money On My Car. I'd go for one definately

MP3Car.com

 

Ricky327

Seems like alot are interested in the project

The plan is to make it purely for carPC and getting it to read too many inputs may make it uneccessary expensive. I see some poeple may want more than 8 relays or more than 4 analog inputs. Trying to make everyone happy is kinda hard so Ill try and make it uprgadable. Each card have its own ID up to 4 cards can be connected together.


ESLogix,

Thanks for offering a hand

I have pushed the PIC at 115200 baudrate for another project. I guess the speed is just a matter of taste at the moment...havent decided on it yet. The analog reading may require a much higher update, a 5-10Hz update may be good enough...we will see. The PIC is to be coded is ASM, its painful but it feels good when it works

The PIC I wanna use? not so sure yet. I deally I want to use the one with just enough port to satisfy the spec so no other IC to play around with therefore simplifying the design. Im looking at PIC16F73 it has 22 x I/O, 5 x 8-Bit ADC, and 1 x USART I think its more than enough for most applications...not so sure on it yet, it must be a flash device as well.

Although it can be made cheaper but I as I said I want to simplify the design to a single chip design + the usual MAX232, the 5V regulator and the relay drivers. So anyone in this board shouldnt have much problem building one. No SMD components either, unless theres enough demand for a much smaller footprint.


Ill sure consult you if I run into problems

Ricky327

Mass producing it? Ill probably go for 16C745. This one is OTP, USB port, 22 I/O and 5 8-bit ADC.

Just perfect for the application. Obviously I wont use this for development. I wish microchip make a flash version of this though

Ricky327

mscar, thanks for the link. I have looked at it but obviously I need something alot bigger than that



I somenoe needs 12-15 outputs (A/C control) and more (for doors, windows etc) what can be done?? But the same amount of inputs!!!

I can push it to 12 Relays, 5 Digital inputs and 3 analog inputs.

The problem is many poeple want it more or less tailored made so I think its better if I make 3 different boards with different port configurations, together with the right firmware of course.


But for now...Ill stick to the original plan to get the ball rolling and take it from there

xtra

ok. serial port seems better than parallel and usb. if you have a PDA, you can use the serial port to do input and outputs. i am not sure if any pda supports usb port. imagine you and a pda and carputer in your car, you can use them to do differnet task.

kiltjim

It should be pretty cool if you get it working. Keep us updated! I would love to be able to follow this, maybe learn something about PICs and the such.

__________________
2000 Subaru OBS

Dell P3 @ 900 Mhz
7" Lilliput TS w/DigitalWW in-dash mount
80GB External HD

I am Zero Bitrate....

ErikGreen

Also see my other thread about posting PCBexpress files or similar... be nice to be able to order three of these up and have 'em overnighted from the fab shop =)

Erik

christmaspie

Wow, this would be awesome if you pulled this off. This piece, a carputer, and a nice 2-way alarm could give you just amazing functionality. I'm already envisioning just amazing communication potential between the electronics in your car. Trunk pop, factory alarm arm/disarm, keyless, window/sunroof roll up or down, power antenna, factory amplified antennas, and the list goes on. I want one!

Ricky327

Yup Ill keep you guys updated for sure, I have already looked a bit more into it.

I have already got one person in the forum to do the windows software for it, hopefuly he wont back down...you never know.


As I said I dont have the knowledge or the resource to do those windows program. Who else is willing to program a windows software to control it? I cant continue with the project if no software will support it. Heck I dont even really need one, Im just doing this out of interest and to help the community.





Also see my other thread about posting PCBexpress files or similar...

I only got access to protel, so Ill design the PCB on that. The PCB is not gonna be that complicated so it can easily be redrawn in another PCB software.

Ricky327

UPDATE :


Ill be using the main following components :
PIC16F73 : Microcontroller
ULN2803A : Octal Darlington Driver Arrays
MAX232CPE : RS-232 Transmitter/Receiver
7805 : 5V Voltage Regulator


Specifications :
8 Relays
8 Digital inputs
4 Analog inputs


Possible Applications :
RELAY :
CarPC controlled door lock, windows, boot, antenna, amps...etc

DIGITAL INPUTS :
Handbrake off indicator (Disable movies/vis playback),
Reverse indicator (Used to turn the rear view cam on),
Seatbelt, opened door, opened boot...etc

ANALOG INPUTS :
Distance indicator (Used for parking),
Car battery voltage monitor,
Backup battery voltage monitor,
CarPC temperature monitor...etc

Im coding the PIC right now and most of the code is working on my "test PIC". Will be buying the real parts soon and see it real

LowMileLude

What exactly would you do with this?

This relay system just says (for example: "yes, your door is unlocked" or *unlocks your door for you*)

I want a trunk popper but I think I'll end up going with a relay through an alarm system... unless this does that somehow.

Danceheaven

Hey Ricky We will add support im currently coding support for a slightly different relay card that has 72 i/o combination of Analogue and Digital inputs all low current sourcing so external realys are needed but its conncet via RS232 and i have Visual Basic Libs for it, but would love to add support for the card in AIMEE.
Let me know of Complete command set and we will add it
p.s hows the GPS tracker and Shutdown controller coming along?
Have been considering intergrating a shutdown controller into aimee aswell possibly USB connection.

__________________

Ricky327

WOW 72 I/O isnt that abit overkill?

Seems like you have a very interesting project there. Sure Ill give you the complete command set...Im still tweaking it though.



The tracking device...well its working as it is. The hardware hasnt been finalised yet though. I have added a sampled voice stored in EEPROM so on calling the tracking phone it will anounce the location of the car. Its working but I still need to put all the pieces together.

The shutdown controller, the hardware is all done, PCB and all. Theres code in the PIC which im not too happy about. In the meant time I have put that on hold.


Your are based in UK? Ill send you a sample of the relay card when Im all done.


Thanks for the support.

Ricky327

Have you got the link or info about this 72 I/O card?

I need to find out more whats the best way to get the digital and analog inputs. Like the input sensitivity of the analog inputs. And the pull-up/pull-down of the digital inputs...I may also set the trigger voltage at 6V. The relay card Im working on should work with standard car relays up to 40A and are to be placed offboard as adons.

Ill love to get all this done on USB in the future.

vipergda

Count me in for one when u get it working and thanks for doing this for the community I know I really appreciate all that everyone does around here

MP3Car.com