Ford F6 Tornado Project Log - Page 9

Hellion70 · 01-14-2008, 08:03 AM

Hey Beanie,

Nice work mate. I have an FPV f6 Typhoon, and have a 7" touchscreen mounted in the spot where u are going to mount the factory screen. My question is where are the centre vents located to, now that you have cut them out to house the screen? Also, are you in melbourne. Would love to see ur creation in the flesh, so to speak. Cheers mate.

mrbean_phillip · 01-15-2008, 06:20 AM

Hey Hellion,
Ta for the feedback - we could meet up, I am in Doncaster East, just about on the corner of Springvale, and Reynolds Rd - there's a little suburb in the left there......

Where you at, I could def take a drive...

I have reverted back to the 7" Xenarc for now, mounted at the right of my steering wheel, as it is impossible to glue/weld or do anything with the PPO/PPE plastic they use in our fascias.

I got the info directly from a person that works at the plastic eng business that manufacturers these fascias - so, if I can do the model, they will do a mould from that, and they can injection-mould a good couple of pieces from every mould - problem is the cost of such a mould might be bnetween 1-3k Aud, according to him, so I need to find a couple guys that would be willing to split the costs.

a Bit of a setback, really, but it will get done - just imagine factory/moulded "original" - just what the doctor ordered!

I will not use the center vents anymore, or I can design something and replace my FPV pod-gauges, and have nifty little vents sitting there? All ideas, some good, some bad....my plan is to replace the complete ICC with a computer-controlled HVAC system, so it will be handled by the carputer setup - hence the original reason to go core-2-duo setup.

But, feel free to PM me, and I will forward my mobile no, we can meet up - don't worry, I am not an internet predator, a few Melbournians have met me at especially the Nizpro Dynoruns

Take care.

Beanie

Hellion70 · 01-15-2008, 09:10 AM

Hi Bean

Thanks for the reply, and again, you have done some great work on that car. I would love to do the same, but at the moment, with all the other hobbies as well, I havent got the time...............and money haha. Plus there is obviously more satisfaction in doing it yourself. Definitely should meet up. I am also wondering if they will do another meet somewhere?

Hey a quick question from your opinion......my car being a sedan, I have mounted the car PC out of the way, but I want to completely want to make it dissapear........I have a wife and child and usually want to boot free lol. Any ideas on hiding and venting?

Thanks again for the reply,

Cheers mate,

Rob

RipplingHurst · 01-15-2008, 11:08 AM

Hi Bean,

In the first and third pages of your outstanding build, you used at different times the Arcade VGA (with the Cubic) and the Vga to CGA adapter from ConvertersTV (with the Apple Mini).

Now how was your experience with them? You never posted any pictures with one or the other so that we could see if there was any difference. I'm not asking you to put it all together again and take pictures (lol), but maybe you could tells us about your experience with image quality, setting up, how it worked with the front end, nav maps, small texts, etc.

I'm trying to use the VGA to CGA converter on my Infiniti M35 (Nissan Fuga in some markets, maybe in Australia?), which has a very good 7" widescreen LCD, but I am having poor results (see this thread). I'm thinking about buying the ArcadeVGA (do you still have it?), and ditch the laptop I'm trying to use. So any imput would be very welcome!

Hellion70 · 01-15-2008, 04:36 PM

Hi Rippling

I have also got the Ultimarc arcadeVGA card in my system and a switch in the centre console to switch between the 2 different screens. They work very well and the picture quality is great.

RipplingHurst · 01-15-2008, 05:37 PM

Thanks, Hellion. So you use the stock lcd screen on your build?

I also used a button and 4PDT relay to hack between the AV computer and the monitor. But I cannot get the right sync with the Converterstv card.

I don't want to hijack this thread, so may I suggest you to post another thread with more details of your build? You are one of the few who use the Arcade VGA successfully. Do you use RGBs, RGBHV? And powerstrip, and at what resolution and freq. do you use, etc. Are the Arcade VGA drivers stable with divx, mp4, dvds, navigation, etc.?

In any case, thanks again for the valuable input.

mrbean_phillip · 01-29-2008, 03:47 AM

Ok, going back to my original goals when this first started out, let's see what's up - comments in blue

Goals:
1) Most important is the factory look! The mod must/will not detract from original factory looks...
So far keeping with this, I have the temporary TFT LCD mounted on the right, next to my steering wheel, and are busy re-designing a factory injection-moulded bezel to house my 10.4" LCD

2) Powerful system, doing multitasking without ANY hickups.
Decided on the Core Duo Apple MacMini, expanded to 2gig Ram, 7200rpm Seagate Momentus HD, and 1.8Gig Core 2 Duo Merom CPU - complete

3) Deadreckoning GPS system, using Gyro and GPS input.
Awaiting arrival of the daughterboard, finally managed to source the Gyro fairly cheaply in Oz - 90%

4) Capacity to play MP3's, DVD's
Spec'ed System will be more than capable of doing anything you throw at it - complete

5) Internet Wireless connectivity.
Via build-in WiFi capability of the MacMini, works like a dream - complete

6) Infrared (IR) control of computer
Decided to use a combination of LCD touchscreen input, and an Industrial Stainless Steel Trackball, mounted in the original cupholder - complete

7) On/Off activation either manually, or selectively ignition controlled
Using the Carnetix 2140 controller, decided to make this ignition-controlled only - complete

8) OBD-II (onboard diagnostics) display and logging of variables.
Decided on the Autoenginuity interface and software, which supports all the sensors on my BF UTE - complete

9) Quiet operation, minimizing powerdrain.
Mounted the computer in my cd-console, and using a 120mm computer case fan, with decent flow, but low noise to keep things cool - complete

10) High-quality Touchscreen - 5-wire resistive is the best.
The temporary Xenarc 700TSV 7" LCD uses the 5-wire resistive touchpanel, which is very good - the permanent 10.4" have only a 4-wire resistive, still excellent quality, although most input will happen via the industrial trackball - complete for now

So, as you all can see, the goals above will determine plenty much what components I select for this Project, as I have realized early on although a Via Epia "may" work, it will not do so to satisfy my unique requirements.
I am in the process of designing a new carputer, using specialized case, making use of internal heatpipes to create a truelly passive-cooled setup, all with a very minuscule footprint, slightly larger than a 3.5" harddrive.

Extras:
I have just received my Tyre Pressure Monitoring kit from my supplier, and I am 90% complete removing the wireless receiver, and integrating it via a custom PIC-Micro into my Carputer - all the temperature, and pressures, from each wheel will be displayed in realtime on CentraFuse frontend, with adjustable alarm-limits to warn of excursions.

In my mind, this is a very important part of having this carputer in the 1st place, it is an added safety factor when doing serious travelling with a 500+ HP (on the wheels) UTE

As everyone can see, things are pretty much smooth sailing from hereon in, I am awaiting arrival of my PIC-micro and associated PCB, and then it is time to install the pressure sensors inside each wheel, yes, even the sparewheel will have one.

I will post pics on the weekend to showcase my progress.

I still need to make a bezel to permanently fix to industrial trackball in it's position, but, jeesh, this stainless unit sure looks nice, and I am sure this is a first for a carputer setup

meddler · 01-29-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by mrbean_phillip

Ok, going back to my original goals when this first started out, let's see what's up - comments in blue

3) Deadreckoning GPS system, using Gyro and GPS input.
Awaiting arrival of the daughterboard, finally managed to source the Gyro fairly cheaply in Oz - 90%

Extras:
[color=blue]I have just received my Tyre Pressure Monitoring kit from my supplier, and I am 90% complete removing the wireless receiver, and integrating it via a custom PIC-Micro into my Carputer - all the temperature, and pressures, from each wheel will be displayed in realtime on CentraFuse frontend, with adjustable alarm-limits to warn of excursions.

hey mrbean_phillip,

Can you give us any more details on the the above. I am interested in a TPMS system that I can source locally and also the dead reckoning system. pm me if need be.

meddler

chipa · 01-29-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by meddler

hey mrbean_phillip,

Can you give us any more details on the the above. I am interested in a TPMS system that I can source locally and also the dead reckoning system. pm me if need be.

meddler

You're not the only one!! Stuff the PM, let us all know

Once again mrbean_phillip, awesome work!

mrbean_phillip · 01-30-2008, 04:50 AM

Hey Guys,
Making good progress on the TPMS, will provide some detailed pics on the weekend - will have the sensors installed then too, so I will keep you posted.

I would be willing to do the kits for the Ozzies, way cheaper than anything similar from the Oz market.

Give me a few more days

meddler · 01-30-2008, 07:33 PM

I'm up for that. Let me know if you need any help.

mrbean_phillip · 01-31-2008, 04:12 AM

Ah, no worries Meddler, things are going well here in Melbourne

Just used Robby's RoadRunner plugin to test the TPMS, and it seems to be working fine.

Come the weekend, I will fit the sensors to the wheels, and post some pics after.

Things are coming along very nicely indeed.

Robby will release a standalone windows-based tester for the setup, and another guy over at flux is completing the beta for the Centrafuse plugin, so within a week we will be in car heaven..

meddler · 01-31-2008, 04:14 AM

lets hope so

mrbean_phillip · 02-01-2008, 03:18 AM

Hello Guys,

Quote: Originally Posted by MrBean

Extras:
I have just received my Tyre Pressure Monitoring kit from my supplier, and I am 90% complete removing the wireless receiver, and integrating it via a custom PIC-Micro into my Carputer - all the temperature, and pressures, from each wheel will be displayed in realtime on CentraFuse frontend, with adjustable alarm-limits to warn of excursions.

In my mind, this is a very important part of having this carputer in the 1st place, it is an added safety factor when doing serious travelling with a 500+ HP (on the wheels) UTE

Ok, as promissed, a few detailed pictures of how to do the TPMS setup, based on RobbyBMW's PIC USB interface, and the 3rd Eye TPMS kit.

Here's the kit as it will arrive, all neatly packed, in an eye-catching box - no pun intended:

Taking a close-up between the RF receiver, which is the unit with the LCD display combination, one of the 5 tyre pressure sensors, the unit in the front, and the PIC micro USB to PC interface board.

Another shot, showing the rear, with the serial number in this case, of the RF module.

I decided to get her naked, and expose her innermost secrets to the salivating masses out there....

And take off some of her clothes, actually, completely strip her - lol...

Well, I got lost for a moment there, soz about that....

Here is a pic showing how I desoldered the LCD board, and ending up with the RF/PSU combination board, and the LCD/Decoder board.

And here is a shot of the same from the back, the piece on the bottom, right, is what we are interested in - the RF Receiver, repsonding to frequencies at 433,92Mhz.

So, we need to do a bit of dremmelling, and end up with this - be very, very careful of firstly, statics, and secondly, to cut just to the left of the little divider line on the PCB - the larger portion must be the RF Receiver part!

And here is the connections to be made, they will be soldered to pins on the PIC USB interface pcb:

to give us an end result, looking something like this (hopefully yours do too):

and here:

I just thought I'd post a good guide on how-to do this mod, as it's not as simple as it seems by reading Robby's thread, and, if you're not familiar with electronics, and do not owe a good, fine-tipped soldering iron, don't attempt this, as you would ruin a perfectly good TPMS unit.

What do we acheive by doing the above mod?

Well, now we can display our tyre temps, and pressures directly onto our Carputer Frontend - the plugin for Roadrunner is ready, and working, and the Centrafuse one is nearly Beta, the developer will notify me as soon as it is.

For now, I have tested mine with Robby's test applet, and it works very well.

Nice, and a good safety feature to add to your carputer setup.

Now you can start to understand why I opted for the very powerful Core 2 Duo based solution

Enjoy this thread, I hope it is helpful.

edit: One thing I did not add, and which is not visible in the photos - I added a piece of supporting foamrubber under the RF board, so it will sit firm on the USB-pcb, with no fear of vibrations causing any harm/loose connections.

Something to keep in mind.

meddler · 02-01-2008, 03:49 AM

excellent write up. Maybe it should be in it's own thread so it doesn't get lost.