Ford F6 Tornado Project Log - Page 4

mrbean_phillip · 06-03-2007, 02:51 AM

Hello Guys,
Ok, finalized the installation today. Removed my Intrument Cluster and ICC to properly route all the cables, power to LCD, usb and signal to LCD, and the OBD-II usb cable.

Came out very nice, no hich-ups, and the screen works as expected. I powered the screen from the Carnetix P1900 Secondary Output, and all the noise on the LCD is gone - I had a similar issue with "noise" on the ICC LCD, and this is definately from the raw 12V (13.80V) from the battery, probably the alternator causing some ripple, picked up by the LCD.

Anyway, here;s a few shots from the driver's view, some with flash, others without, as it was getting dark outside, yes, only 17h15, but winter in Melbourne.

Instrument Cluster view......

LCD view, slightly off-center from Instrument Cluster...

and another one with camera flash on....

and a little further away, to give you a better perspective of how the LCD blends in" with the Instrument Cluster - I like it, very practical, easy to replace, do maintenance on, whatever, no bondo cracking etc....

ICC view, with stock Ford LCD.....

and here's a close-up of some datapoints I was reading on the OBD-interface to test functionality.....with the advanced Ford s/ware pack I bought from Autoenginuity, I can read a couple 100 sensors

Now to wait for Travroute to release Laptop Version 10 of Copilot SatNAv software, so I can upgrade my PDA's to use here - should be available already, will check in the week.

Let me know what you guys think.

Best regards,
Beanie.

djmickyg · 06-03-2007, 09:37 AM

looking good..

I got a bit of work done to mine the past few weekends, so i may have something to show soon..

i need to figure out how to power my screen too.. its running off the battery now and i am getting some bad flickering too..
I have to re wire everything anyway.. thats next weekends plan..
I don't think i can run mine off the power suply.. the 12v rail is pretty weak
May have to make some sort of inline filter.

mrbean_phillip · 06-04-2007, 03:21 AM

Yep, it is definately the "raw" power in this case causing the ripple, I have confirmed this with both my Xenarc and the spare 8" LCD I have, as well as the ICC LCD.

Powering the 2 external LCD's of the Carnetix removes all traces of interfernece, which I am extremely happy about.

We could assemble you a filter circuit, made up of a regulator to keep voltage at 12V, and a few caps - that will take care of your issue, my solution was easy as the Carnetix have a secondary rail for that purpose.

I would luv to see your setup, keep me posted, we should meet up soon - you prolly doing exams at uni (at least my brother's son is), so I am assuming you too?

Keep me posted, would be nice to have a chat again.

Best regards,
MrBean

mrbean_phillip · 06-28-2007, 07:09 AM

Ah, so finally my copy of CoPilot 10 for Laptop was delivered earlier in the week, Monday to be precise - thanx Andrew McGregor from Travroute, Kiew, Australia

I will now finalize the installation on the weekend, and start to design a decent aluminium-based docking bay for the MacMini - seems there is one or 2 out there, but none to my liking, so I will do my own.

Will keep you guys posted.

Br,
Beanie

long.1 · 06-28-2007, 10:37 PM

Hey Beanie,

Keep up the good work mate. Impressive way you've mounted the screen using that bracket - very clever. Also like the glovebox install - it looks very neat as well. A coupla questions though....

Keen to hear how you've found the screen position after a few weeks of driving ? Also, would be good to see a photo that shows how visible the screen is from outside the car (i.e. looking in through the drivers side window with the door shut).

Quote: Originally Posted by mrbean_phillip

.....I am not happy with the result from the stock Ford ICC LCD display.......the text quality is just to bad.........Using OBD tools, browsing the net to d/l updates etc is next to impossible........

Lastly, referring to your comments above, I'm wondering if you have any photos of the PC running on the ford ICC via the VGA-CGA converter. I know you said it wasn't good enough, so I'd like to see some shots if you've got them....

Keep the updates coming mate.

Cheers,

Long.1

mrbean_phillip · 06-30-2007, 09:54 PM

Hello Long.1,
Thanx for your comments/feedback.

The screen is very readable, and out of the way, not detracting at all from my driving experience. It is quite easy to do GPS adresses, etc, as I am right-handed.

My UTE's windows are tinted the darkest that was allowed (factory tint), and view from outside (when on) is not at all that visible - when the setup is off, you have to get clos to the window to see what's happening on the inside.

I don't have pics, but will take some soon and post them for you, ok?

Same goes for the Ford LCD hooked up to the VGA-CGA, don't have pics of it on, but will re-install and take some pics.

As I mentioned a long time ago, I have an 4:3 8" screen too, and am now seriously considering using it's superior display area, and mount it in-dash (but still adjustable) and use it for Carputer display.

I need to pick up a spare fascia from Fadi at ASL later in the week, as I am off to NSW for the 1st few days, and then the real work starts - to create a decent factory looking lcd install - which, as you yourself knows, will be a challenge with the ICC mounted where it is.

But, I have a good plan, let's see if I can pull it off......

Will keep you posted.

Br,
Beanie

BiGGy · 07-04-2007, 04:44 AM

great project.

mrbean_phillip · 07-05-2007, 04:53 AM

Thanx Biggy

mrbean_phillip · 07-15-2007, 03:25 AM

Ok, some small developements:

I have finally purchased a licensed version of CentraFuse frontend to use with my Carputer. Works quite well, and have to give credit to Dave and the team for the work they have put into this, thanx Guys.

I have my mobile setup and working, SatNav doing great, both Autoenginuity and PCMSCAN as embedded OBD-II applications - I can see all sensors on my car, nice.....

Then, I received my new Carnetix 2140 DC-DC startup/shutdown controller to control the MacMini system - why did I need the Carnetix 2140 if I already have a Carnetix P1900, and M2-ATX controllers? Well, simple, really - the new 2140 comes with an USB interface, and very neat PSUmoni software, indicating all voltage levels, current consumption (and calculated wattage usage) of the PSU, you can do firmware upgrades with this s/ware, and set all delays via the GUI.

Pretty nifty

Then, I am awaiting the delivery of my SpaceTraveler, manufactured by 3d Connexion. It is a wonderful little input device, and will work beautifully with my Carputer setup, literally negating a touchscreen input device - which I have, but it is easier (and safer) using this device.

Something else I have been considering is the location of the MacMini, somehow I don't like it to much in the glove-compartment, so I found a new location for it - watch this space to see where it will be located - I will most likely post new pics on the coming weekend, but it's going to look nice.

As a hint, the factory cupholders will go.....

I am also still considering mounting the 4:3 8" LCD, and relocating the existing factory LCd to where the tissuebox holder are located.

Will think about this one a little....

Will keep you posted.

mrbean_phillip · 07-15-2007, 05:58 PM

Ha, so I am quite happy

Just received confirmation that I have won the unit off Ebay, for the handsome sum of US $140-, plus additional US $27.50 for shipping = US $167.50.

Nice, if you consider they usually sell for US $199- in the States, over in Oz it will cost me a nice AUD $399- to get my hands on one - 3d Connexion will not sell outdie the US to privates, you have to use their agents in your country.

So, I am happy, still a lot to pay for essentially what is going to be a fancy mouse in my car, but, we are modders, what must be done must be done

mrbean_phillip · 07-20-2007, 10:21 PM

Ok, a small progress report.

I am still awaiting delivery of my SpaceTraveler, should most likely have it by Monday or Tuesday.

In the meantime, I made some excellent progress with my frontend, CentraFuse, and the integrated PhoneControl software. As the few who managed to get their mobiles to work in handsfree mode with a frontend can confess, it is a bit of an effort to get it going.
Well, mine is fully functional.

I can now receive calls with a compuiterized voice notifying me who is calling, by reading the caller's name. I can set the frontend to automatically answer, or I can click on the LCD to answer the call. I can make calls, all by never touching the phone, just through the Carputer's touchscreen. The AudioGateway on the bluetooth stack works like a dream.

I am using a Plantronics 300 USB mic, and a Gigabyte GN-BT03D bluetooth dongle. For the Ozzie blokes, these 2 items are available from PcCaseGear in South Oakleigh, Victoria. Chat to Travis or Troy.

The Gigabyte dongle comes bundled with IVT Soleil drivers, but I used Widcomm version 5.1.0.1100 bluetooth stack to get full functionality of the Audio Gateway - the IVT Soleil drivers don't play nice.

So, all in all a good afternoon's work, the GPS is working like a dream with the embedded Destinator6 software, my OBD-II interfaces working as expected (and better than), so little remains to be done.

I have decided to relocate the carputer, but will only do so once I receive the new input device.

Luckily for me, 99.9% of the software is running as it should, and little remains to be done on that front.

a Carputer project differs from a normal system, in where the software is what makes/breaks the setup. You want as much hands-off as you can get away with, and I have very much succeeded.

Very happy.

You should see my colleagues faces at work when we drive, and someone calls, and the seq of events...hehe - the looks on their faces is priceless. Carputer sound is routed via aux input (mobile handset input) on my carsound system, so when a call comes in, it will mute caraudio, and unmute after - same with GPS directions.

All I still need to do is train the carputer SAM software to recognize my voice, so I can do commands to CentraFuse like Main Display or GPS Display, New Route, or Zoom in or Out, etc..... 1/2 hour's work, and it would be 90% hands-off.

I could even forward/rewind songs, advance to the next- or previous track, etc.....nice.

Let me know what you think of this setup.

I will post some screendumps of the CF displays once I have SAM working.

Br,
Beanie.

djmickyg · 07-20-2007, 11:12 PM

sounding nice..
I tired voice recognition once.. coulnt get used it it, didnt feel right talking to the car.

mrbean_phillip · 07-21-2007, 12:49 AM

Hehe - it may be a bit extreme talking to your UTE

As long as it doesn't answer back, I am sure we will be ok....

blackballs · 07-21-2007, 05:20 AM

thank you sir for sharing your experinces to date,

I have all the components ie mac mini, 1900, vga convertor and the audio lead with amp.

I'm running boot camp with xp, I will be fitting shortly to my F6 Typhoon.

A couple of questions if I may

I take it the built in MAC bluetooth is not up to running the phone software

What model cellphone you having your success with.

Enjoy your ride, and keep us posted....

mrbean_phillip · 07-22-2007, 03:38 AM

Quote:

I take it the built in MAC bluetooth is not up to running the phone software

Thanx for your comments

I am using the Nokia 6233, but most Nokias should work.

I could get the hands-free working with the Apple build-in Bluetooth, but only the headphones, not the mic.

So, I guess I might get it working with onboard, but I know the Gigabyete one I am using has standard Widcomm driver support, even though it ships with IVT Soleil.......

There's a fair bit of hacking involved using the Apple onboard BT with Widcomm......and no guarantees.....

Good luck with your project, would like to see the progress