HVAC Control on Car PC through Serial Port. - Page 34

Mastero · 08-02-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RedGTiVR6

Ok - so here's a list of questions. I know this is a pretty long list, but I just want to have all my ducs in a row before diving into something like this.

Regarding the servos, I'm gathering that this set-up is designed to control the servos that are already in the HVAC system?

NO ITS TO CONTROL A SERVO THAT YOU WILL CONNECT.
Do you happen to know if VW uses 5v servos? I'll see if I can check on this, but if you happen to know off the top of your head....

THIS IS NOT BUILT FOR UNIVERSAL USE. NO VEHICLE SPECIFIC
Does the piece come with the temp sensors? My car already has an internal and external temp sensor (external in the front bumper, not sure about internal, but I'm sure I can find out). Would I be able to just tap into these existing sensors or do I need to replace them with the sensors that come with this kit?

IT COMES WITH TWO SENSORS. HAVE TO USE THEM ONLY.
What kind of current capacity does this thing have? What size fuse should the main board be fused with? (Wondering if we'd be able to tie into the factory fuse for instance)

THIS UNIT HAS TWO +12V INPUT ONE HEAVY FOR THE RELAYS AND ONE LIGHT FOR THE BOARD ITSELF. LIGHT CAN BE 5AMP FUSE AND HEAVY SHOULD BE 25AMP FUSE
It looks like when you open the software, then it defaults to fan speed one. Can you set it to open back up to the setting it was on when the car shut down?

NO THIS CAN NOT BE DONE CAUSE THERE ARE TWO INPUTS PC AND REMOTE SO TO AVOID CONFUSSION. (LIMITATION)
In the manual, it talks about how the HVAC will become functional once it's started. Is it then safe to assume that you just have it start-up with the PC (put it in the start-up folder)?

QUESTION NOT CLEAR .....????
In the manual, it states: The fan shall go to the auto mode only when this button [AC] is on. Is there any way to over ride 'auto' mode? Or is this statement accurate? The fan cannot be put to auto unless it's on AC. What if I want the AC on and I want it on high? In other words, I want the AC on but I want manual control of the fan speed?

YOU CAN HAVE THE AC (COMPRESSOR) ON AND KEEP THE FAN SPEED 1 , 2, 3, 4 OR AUTO. AUTO WILL COME ONLY WHEN THE COMPRESSOR IS ON

IN AUTO MODE THE FAN SPEED CHANGES WITH THE INTERNAL TEMP HOTTER THE FAN IS FASTER COOLER THE FAN IS SLOWER.
I see later on in the manual where the system will automatically cut off the compressor once the desired temperature is passed by 1 degree (C or F?) Is this why the AC setting automatically goes to 'auto' mode?

COMPRESSOR CUTS OF AFTER THE PRESET TEMP. YOU DECIDE WHAT YOU WHAT TO CUTOFF AT .. FOR C MODELS ITS IN C FOR F ITS IN F
On the controls, there's heat up/down and temperature up/down. Is this to say that heat up/down is only for heat and that temperature up/down is only for air conditioning?

TEMP UP DOWN IS FOR CHANGING THE CUTOFF TEMP. HEAT UP DOWN IS TO CONTROL THE HEAT SERVO POSITION
Heat is achieved by just letting the heat that the motor generates back into the cabin, correct?

YES
How does the unit shut-off? I don't see an ignition lead on the diagrams. Would you use 'A' as a switched ignition source and 'H' as a 12v constant? I don't want this running at all times with the car off. For instance, if something malfunctions, I don't want it to fail to on and have the HVAC going while the car is off.

THEN YOU CONNECT THE +12V LIGHT TO ANY SCOURCE YOU CONTROL.
What's up with the two connectors on the board Display and PC? So then is there a seperate display that's avaliable to use? Where does this display plug go do?

DISPLAY IS FOR A THREE DIGIT (F VERSION) TWO DIGIT (C VERSION)

DISPLAY ALWAYS SHOWS THE INTERNAL TEMP WHEN THE CORRECT BUTTON PRESSED SHOWS EXTERNAL TEMP , FAN SPEED, CUTOFF TEMP, ETC.
What are the current capacities of the fan output relays?

15AMPS FAN RELAYS
40AMPS COMPRESSOR RELAY.

wow ... i am tired.
mastero

RedGTiVR6 · 08-02-2007, 02:10 PM

thanks for the info!

dukhwanee · 08-02-2007, 02:50 PM

i just found this thread... pretty interesting. good job mastero! could you repost the pics on your website? Pics for assembled and disassembled would be nice. also, do u still have them in stock? I have accord 04 with knob control.

Mastero · 08-02-2007, 04:23 PM

Dukh it only comes in assembled now .. so removed the making pics

yes i have them in stock and they are in two models now C and F

check my site www.mastero.tk for details and manual

cheers
Mastero

BiGGy · 08-03-2007, 08:17 AM

link isnt working for me, I would like some more information on it.

Cobraphx · 08-03-2007, 09:31 AM

Maestro,

Looked at your site today and both the Aircon DIY and Aircon 2 pages are missing. This might just work for my project. I need to control a Vintage Air Gen III air conditioning unit. It is entirely servo controlled, an self-contained digital controller is available from Dakota Digital, but I'd rather control it from the touch screen pc I'm installing.

Mastero · 08-04-2007, 01:00 AM

I have taken the site down .... be up in a while

sorry about it

mastero

snapperhead · 08-13-2007, 09:06 PM

Hello Mastero, it's been about 2 weeks after ordering. Is my order ready to ship yet. 1 aircon -2F and a usb to serial cable. Not trying to rush you but it would be nice when to expect my order. Car shows coming up and would like to have it working. Thanks, Vince

Mastero · 08-14-2007, 12:55 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by snapperhead

Hello Mastero, it's been about 2 weeks after ordering. Is my order ready to ship yet. 1 aircon -2F and a usb to serial cable. Not trying to rush you but it would be nice when to expect my order. Car shows coming up and would like to have it working. Thanks, Vince

your order is all ready to ship waiting for the NEW farenheight PCB with three digits on it. the C is ready but i dont want you to have that

since ur in USA

Please bear with me.... as soon as i get the pcb i will fedex it

Mastero

snapperhead · 08-14-2007, 06:22 AM

Thanks Mastero just wanted an update and looking forward to using your product. Vince

Cobraphx · 08-15-2007, 09:43 AM

Now that the documentation is up, I think the Aircon will work great with my Vintage Air Gen III A/c system.

I do have one question though... It shows both a serial connection and a display connection. I understand the serial is to control the hardware through the VB interface. What is the display connection for? Somewhere you said it is to display temp and fan settings, isn't the temp and such shown in the VB interface on the controlling PC? Does this mean I have to have 2 screens in my car for the Aircon to work correctly, both my PC touchscreen and a second screen to display the Aircon status? Or is the display only used if you are using a remote control and no PC?

Just trying to understand so there aren't any unrealistic expectations.

Thanks,
-Matt

Mastero · 08-16-2007, 02:07 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Cobraphx

Now that the documentation is up, I think the Aircon will work great with my Vintage Air Gen III A/c system.

I do have one question though... It shows both a serial connection and a display connection. I understand the serial is to control the hardware through the VB interface. What is the display connection for? Somewhere you said it is to display temp and fan settings, isn't the temp and such shown in the VB interface on the controlling PC? Does this mean I have to have 2 screens in my car for the Aircon to work correctly, both my PC touchscreen and a second screen to display the Aircon status? Or is the display only used if you are using a remote control and no PC?

Just trying to understand so there aren't any unrealistic expectations.

Thanks,
-Matt

The second screen is just a numeric 7segment display like the one in the pic.

mastero

helllordkb · 08-16-2007, 09:20 AM

say mastero, if i wanted to replace the onboard relays with solide state SSR relays everytign should work just fine, just have to use wires to connect them to the factory relay pcb connections, right? i cant stand that clicking relay style

Mastero · 08-17-2007, 02:57 AM

you can modify it the way you feel fit ... yes it will work

mastero

snapperhead · 09-11-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Mastero

your order is all ready to ship waiting for the NEW farenheight PCB with three digits on it. the C is ready but i dont want you to have that

since ur in USA

Please bear with me.... as soon as i get the pcb i will fedex it

Mastero

Hello Mastero,

Any word on the new boards yet been about 6 weeks now. Just an update can't wait to hook it up should be a blast. Thanks, Vince