Thread: 2007 Dodge Charger & Zotac Ion

Thanks for sharing rtgree,

I'm going to get my hans on the canusb device and give your software a try. I ended up using a module that allowed me to tap into the canbus somewhat, all it really does is turn on the factory amp and give me line level input. I would like to take an approach more similiar to what you have done, I know there is a lot the canbus does in these vehicles, and some of the multiplexed circuits can be hardware hacked with resistors, but I would prefer to just have a read/write canbus networking solution like you have done. So I guess this all starts by getting the canusb followed by a lot of reading.

I've finally found some time to somewhat package up my work on a RideRunner plugin that interfaces with the CAN bus on a Chrysler/Dodge vehicle using the CANUSB device.

I know that I have some problems with the plugin.... One of which is exactly how to change the plugin's name

The other thing that I don't really like is that you have to include skin files to show how things should really work with a plugin. I know that's just how it is.... oh well....

Anyway... I have used this with DigitalFX 4.0

Let me know if you use this and if you make any changes to it. I'll incorporate your changes into my code and re-release it as needed.....

Edit: I forgot to mention that this requires the CANUSB's "CANUSB DLL & ActiveX Driver:" available from CANUSB's download page. The software is also setup for the old generation radios that use 83.3k bit rate. The newer generation radios use 125k... You will need to change that...


Thanks,
Ryan

So.... a bit of an update....

I have successfully switched from the CANUSB device to the mbed microcontroller. The mbed is a microcontroller designed for prototyping projects quickly and easily.... www.mbed.org Lots of I/O available with only a small amount of extra electronics needed. You write the code that it runs in C and C++, and use a compiler that is in "the cloud". You log in to their website and the whole programming environment is there for you. I can't say enough about how easy it was to get the thing reading and writing CAN messages on the car's CAN bus.

I have also installed all the pieces of the carputer in the car.... The cpu, screen, and HD radio have all been in the car since September. Using that mbed device, I can control the stock amplifier, sirius radio, and use the steering wheel controls.

Here are a couple of pictures of the install. I would like to work on how the CPU is attached to the trunk though... right now it is on with velcro and zip ties... Not the best, but since it is oriented on it's side, I don't think the hard drive will have too many problems....







As a side note, I'm using RideRunner with the Elite Wings skin. I'm looking into DFX5, but it is a bit of work to get my canbus plugin integrated well.... I would also like to see where openMobile is going. I wanted to help them out a bit, but I moved into a new house, and have a brand new baby that have taken all of my extra (heh... yeah right extra) time....


Whacha think?

Ryan

Hi Ryan, It's me Tim... Your install looks great. I just got my mBed and I'm looking to move off of the CANUSB dongle. I have a few questions for you?

1.) mbed has two CAN controllers. Do you know if you can use one on the 500kbs bus while running the other on the 83.7kbs bus?

2.) Would you be willing to share some mbed code with me? A base example of how your polling messages and another example of posting a message (like popping the trunk or something like that) would really help me move forward.

3.) Did you tie you carputer screen brighness into your dimmer control knob (as you know that value is on the CAN-B bus)? If you are interested in that I can send you some code that will do that for you. I also have a code example that will increase and decrease the main volume of the computer as the car goes faster and slower. Let me know if I can trade this for some mbed set-up help.

Once again, Great work!

Originally Posted by trs300

Hi Ryan, It's me Tim... Your install looks great. I just got my mBed and I'm looking to move off of the CANUSB dongle. I have a few questions for you?

1.) mbed has two CAN controllers. Do you know if you can use one on the 500kbs bus while running the other on the 83.7kbs bus?

2.) Would you be willing to share some mbed code with me? A base example of how your polling messages and another example of posting a message (like popping the trunk or something like that) would really help me move forward.

3.) Did you tie you carputer screen brighness into your dimmer control knob (as you know that value is on the CAN-B bus)? If you are interested in that I can send you some code that will do that for you. I also have a code example that will increase and decrease the main volume of the computer as the car goes faster and slower. Let me know if I can trade this for some mbed set-up help.

Once again, Great work!

You wouldn't happen to have got the uconnect to work have you?

Originally Posted by SpyderZ15

You wouldn't happen to have got the uconnect to work have you?

Hi Spyder... I do not have uconnect in my car? Was this a question for Ryan?

--

If I had a u-connect, I'd love to decode all the messages for it... but I don't have one.

If you wanted to loan one to me, I could probably get something going with it. Otherwise, if you have a CAN bus monitor and can get a recording of the data, I might be willing to work with the data...

What do you want out of this?

Ryan

Are you going to Spring Fest by any chance. I'd love to see some of these PCs in person for some more motivation to finish mine.

If you are talking about the LX Spring Festival in SoCal, no... I am in St. Louis, and that would be a little much....

If you are talking something closer to the midwest, i could consider it...

Ryan