eZ Navi Delete Interest/Availability
 

I am not sure where to put this, so I have included it in Audio and DIY. Admins - please advise if there is a better/more appropriate way of doing this.

I have been working on the eZ Navi Delete system for my 2009 370Z with factory Navi so that I could put in a custom system. As anyone with a Navi based model knows, the Navi models have the AC controls embedded with the factory stereo controls, thus removing them and the factory Head Unit removes access to control the AC system. This is the only reason that none of the aftermarket car stereo equipment is compatible with the Navi models and website descriptions label them “non-Navi”.
http://www.the370z.com/members/raden...p7-cartoon.png
This project was developed as a cleaner and simpler plug-n-play alternative to the original method of Navi Delete using the base model AC controls and swapping out the Navi based AC AMP for the non-Navi AC AMP, running the needed wires to the fuze box, adding pins and splicing into the existing wiring harness. There have been interested followers and PM’s regarding this project and how it could be made available. Bare PCB’s will be available for purchase and I am bringing up a Github repo to make the design files, source code, and flashable files available so that anyone can DIY this. I have also gotten interest in providing assembled, ready to go boards as assembling on the these PCB’s with parts can be quite challenging, especially if you don’t have the proper soldering equipment.

So, the purpose of this post is to get a gauge of the interest people have in the project and to see if building a set of assembled PCB’s is feasible.

• Do you have a Navi based 370Z and want to install an aftermarket Head Unit?
• Is there interest in a plug-n-play solution at equivalent cost?

Here is a rough cost breakdown I came up with. Others with more knowledge on the needs of the original conversion method, please comment.

http://www.the370z.com/members/raden...stestimate.png

I have put a lot of resources and work into this project over the last year and a half and it seems like a waste if it’s not available to others that wish to do the same thing. I am just not sure what the best delivery mechanism is, which is always an issue with this kind of custom niche electronics.

Resources:
• Original non-Navi AC AMP swap thread
• eZ Navi-Delete thread
• eZ Navi-Delete Github Repo (work in progress)

Interested in thoughts.

I'm interested. Any idea if this would work for all year/navi models?

Count me in and thanks for all of the time and work that you've put into this project. You have made a tremendous contribution to the community.

All years should now be supported!
 

With the recent mod I made to the board, it should be compatible with all years with the addition of the universal connector! The top connector on the board used to be the 40 pin connector that is present in the 2009 model year with Navi as that is what I have. I replaced it with a generic 20-pin connector that has a universal pinout so that a simple wiring harness adapter can be used to adapt the board to any year (and this connector is cheaper so the added cost for the adapter breaks even!). I have the Universal Wiring Harness Adapter definitions up in the Wiki on the Github site. :tup:

https://github.com/radensb/eZ_Navi-D...Wiring-Harness

Bluetooth Optional?
 

I am considering not populating the Bluetooth module.

The reason it was on there was to provide a wireless connection to Android Tablet based setups so that the USB port could be used to charge the device. Since then, I see that Braniac has come up with a charging USB hub solution (Mk1.5 Electronics) that allows their system to charge and use USB OTG devices at the same time. This sorta defeats the purpose I had to add Bluetooth... There is no firmware developed for this function yet and it would make the boards cheaper to non populate it. I would leave the footprint on the board so that it could be added later if desired, but I think the majority of people interested in using this feature would just use the USB interface to the device.

Thoughts?

you're getting me excited

The weakness that I have found with the OTG cables enabling simultaneous charging and data transfer on my Android tablet is finding quality cables to support charging, and especially when needing an left or right angled cable to fit the space constraints. I probably tried 6-8, most of which were trash.

So, my preference would be to pay for the bluetooth connection.

From what I understand though, Apple uses some proprietary stack which might make developing the firmware problematic for Apple devices, though I don't think it would for Android. This may be out-dated info; but something you would want to check if not already knowledgeable.

Yeah, I suspect that people going the Brainiac route would just rely on the product that they were purchasing being up to snuff. I have looked into the OTG/Charging solutions and was not very impressed. The problem is that OTG is a broken standard, so it doesn't all work the way you expect it to with all hardware that states it "supports" it.

So, I decided that I would leave everything in place except the Bluetooth module. It would make the boards up to $10 cheaper to leave off and can be added on as an extra for those that want to use it.

The last time I messed with Bluetooth modules was back when the SPP protocol was standard and you could communicate with other BT devices as if you were talking to a serial port. Now with the newer BLE devices, protocols like SPP are not longer standard and you have to make your own. Ugh...

I am also very interested. I just want to know if you could post to the UK.

def interested in getting a plug n play board.
BT not required.

whats a possible eta to build and ship?

interested in an assembled unit
 

Hi, im interested in an assembled unit

How do we go about this?

It looks like I can supply assembled boards (without the Bluetooth installed), the universal adapter harness, and the base model AC control module harness for $130-$150 (depending on final quote) + shipping.

For non-American models, it would be a good idea to confirm that nothing is different (ie: same connectors and pin outs). The code is setup for an American model so units for temp are Fahrenheit. There is also some minor differences in the CAN data that I believe are specific to regional differences that would have to be changed in the code.

I don't see why not. I have never shipped anything over seas. Something I could look into though.

I am currently in the process of getting the current design built for testing. I changed enough of the design to make it "universal" that I feel I should test it on my own car first. I hope to have a working prototype in a few weeks, but this whole COVID thing is adding unusual delays to my orders. Once I vet the current Universal design, I have gotten quotes for fully assembled boards with 30-40 day lead time (again, delays due to COVID that may or may not impact the order).

Great question. I have no clue. :)
My thought is to setup an email address for this on the github site and have people who want to buy a pre-assembled board email me their address and details about their car, like the year, so I know what firmware to load and what kind of adapter needs to be supplied if requested, and send money via paypal or venmo.

There would be a page in the Wiki with instructions.

im keen, i mailed you through the forum anyway, not sure if you got the email

I’m interested. I have all the components to do the swap the hard way already lol

Sounds awesome and just what I'm looking for. I'd be in for an assembled board if this is a go.

Update
 

I finally got my new test HW in and partly assembled.

http://www.the370z.com/members/raden...p7-testing.jpg

Everything is working great. I have a few new parts on order and am building the adapter harness to plug it in my car for final testing. I made some changes on this rev to better support the development of the Bluetooth interface since many have commented that they would desire that feature (the BT module can now be updated and interfaces with directly over the USB!). Once I am satisfied that everything is working well and stable, I can pursue getting fully assembled boards ordered! Exciting :tup:

I plan on setting up a wiki page in the Gihub with information on how to email me for an assembled board. It seems like the best way to organize this kind of request.

We're getting close to v1.0. :tiphat:

I think this is an awesome project and would be interested in a board in the distant future but I have WAY too many other home projects to pursue at the moment

Nice, keep us updated. I'm still in

Things are progressing. I decided to make a change to the power supply design by adding a buck converter. The linear regulators were getting a bit too warm for my liking dropping the 14.5V down to 5V and 3.3V that the system uses. I figured that since this project could find its way into a car that bakes in the sun, I needed to minimize the heat generation from the parts that get warm as much heat as possible. The change should efficiently lower the 14.5V to ~6V and the linear regulators will condition the power down from there. Thermal tests resulted in them running about 5x cooler at the cost of only a few extra $$ in parts. Well worth it in my book from a reliability point of view! I have the parts on order to test this change and have already rolled it into the design:
http://www.the370z.com/members/raden...8-ez_dc-dc.png

I think this is the last thing that I will need to test before releasing V1.0!

Badass!! I can only assume you do this kind of thing for a living. I think I need to start looking at sourcing the A/C knobs and parts soon.

I have an extra set! I bought a non Nismo one, didn’t realize the 2016 Nismo had darker knobs. Got the cubby too!

Its funny, I am currently working from home and my wife says she can never tell if I'm working on work stuff or personal projects because it's mostly the same activities. :D

I also just got a confirmation that the test PCB's for the Buck converter will be delivered Monday, so I should have some built for testing next weekend. :rock:

Count me in too (09' nav)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'd buy one too, but bluetooth is a must so that USB port is open for charging

I am putting a lot of focus on BT at the moment to make sure that works as needed. I have run several tests that show robust data connectivity in the car environment. I also chatted with the developer of the Android app and he is interested in working with me in adding BT as a communication option. This once "optional" and "development needed" interface is getting more and more attention. I suspect that the HW will be ready soon with the updated Android app soon to follow.

any further news?
I'm still in for when this becomes available.

and Happy Holidays to everyone!!

Update: 12/28/2020
 

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season! COVID really bit into my holiday plans... but it did give me time to update the Github repo a bit and get new design files together.

I have finished v1.0a of the board design. This is going to be the first rev of machine assembled boards and am looking to get it quoted. Ill be updating the GITHUB page with details on when they will be available and how to get one once I get the quote and lead times.

To make this as cost effective as possible, I am getting the boards build as a 'base' build with options. The options can be selected to get a board configured to support a specific type of installation. For ex, adding the Bluetooth components would be an extra $15. This would save someone who doesn't need the Bluetooth module $15. Same idea goes for the base model Dial Control connector, Steering Wheel Control connector, and M72 connector. Ill break it all down in the wiki on the Github.

I have a dev branch with some modified code that supports new features of v1.0a. I plan on merging it into the trunk after a bit more work, but it can be viewed in the 'buildConfig' branch in the repo.

I'm also very interested, but not sure what exactly I would need to make this a reality (also I don't have a head-unit in mind yet, but would like it if it could do CarPlay) and as such what budget I should be thinking of for the complete replacement.

Also I live in Netherlands and have a MY2009 from Germany, so I would prefer to be able to see and control temperatures in centigrades ;).

I am an electrical engineer, so I think I should be able to understand and get quite far with the electric parts and can maybe assist with the C++ software, but e.g. I have no idea what parts I would need for replacing the dashboard with a 2DIN(?) headunit. Are there existing parts for this, or is some custom modeling or 3d printing necessary for that?

What kind of setup are you thinking of doing exactly? Basically, anything outside COTS parts (standard single or dual DIN headunit and aftermarket bezel that supports dial controls) is going to require some custom fabrication on your end. There are people who have started this work and are fine tuning their models to enable people to 3D print their own. Some are charging for the CAD model, while others can be found online. Still, the models are typically designed around that persons custom build and may need modification for your configuration.

It has been long thought that if you had a Navi equipped 370Z, you were stuck with it forever. Over the last few years, people have figured out how to swap parts, run wires and splice into the existing wiring harness to convert a Navi model to use the base model dial controls. Once that conversion was done, they were free to pursue any aftermarket stereo install they wanted (typically a dual DIN unit with a cubby from a base model).

This project eliminates the need to hack up the car and provides a plug-n-play option to interface the base model dial controls in a navi equipped model, as well as software interfaces via the USB or Bluetooth for app based control. The current board is designed to be universal. You would make a wiring harness that connects to the universal connector that adapts whatever pinout your car has. This should cover all 2009, 2010+ US 370Z's and models from other countries as the signals the board uses should be generic. I am not super familiar with the non-US models. So they have the same connectors and pinout?? If so, can you provide this information?

The firmware is setup to use F or C temperature units, depending on how its built. This needs to be setup correctly because your car is expecting data in the proper units over the CAN bus. If you plan on doing software based control using an app, you would should able to display the temp in whatever units you choose through the app.

I have been updating the github page. Please take a look at the Wiki for more hardware details and I welcome your help with this!

Quick answer for now (it's getting late over here and will look into GitHub pages in the next few days): yes I would be looking for COTS parts as much as possible. So I think the aftermarket bezel you linked to, with a base cubby (not so familiar with "cubby", that's the "cabinet" with door at the top, right?) and base model dial controls. I guess I would be searching for base model dial controls with Celsius on them though.

Yes - the cubby is the cabinet where the Navi screen is. I have seen the dial controls in both F and C on eBay. They should be using the same data fields and values so they should be interchangeable. The only difference is the temperature units temperature range markings on the dials. :tup:

Exciting Update!
 

I got the first lot of 10 eZ Navi-Delete boards in production! This is intended to be a test run, but I have a lot of confidence that they will yield, at which point I plan on making them available to those interested!

I settled on a base config (no Bluetooth) price of $115. Adding Bluetooth is an additional $25 ($140 total) which includes the installation of the BT module and the Mode selection switch.

The boards will be tested and loaded with the current project trunk FW.

I updated the GitHub Wiki with details. I will update with info and details on actually acquiring a board once I get them in hand and start testing them.

:tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup::tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup:

Super excited to finally have CarPlay in my Z again!

I'd definitely want a pre-assembled and tested board with bluetooth installed. Looking forward to your update, just don't want to miss out!

I'm in for a unit whenever it becomes available too!

They're here!
 

First lot of eZ Navi-Delete boards are here! I was able to pull one out, give it a once over, and run it through some testing. It worked great! :tup:

http://www.the370z.com/members/raden...749-eztest.png

So, I have been working on putting together a "test firmware" that communicates statistical information about how the boards work over CAN to another system that displays the reported information. This allows me to test every aspect of a board from the dial control module interface coms, USB, steering wheel control buttons, Bluetooth coms, all the digital IO/s, and of course, the CAN interface itself all at once.

I hope to get the test setup in a stable place this weekend, then I can start testing the other boards. If all yield, I will have 9 available for those that want one. I plan to make them available through Tindie and will update when that is sorted out and online.

Thread Unlocked - Please Read!
 

First off, thank you all for your interest in this project.

There was some concern with the way this thread evolved from the Admins that triggered them to lock it down. I don't have a vendor license, and therefore cannot sell product through this forum, which is fair. The intent of this thread was not to advertise and sell a product, rather to promote the eZ Navi-Delete project and gauge if making hardware so people could more easily contribute to its development was viable. As the discussion of this activity progressed, I can see the admins concern.

Therefore, going forward, I would like to request that no more discussion about the availability of hardware or purchasing be made on this or any thread related to this project. The admins were good enough to unlock the thread with this understanding.

Please check and monitor the eZ Navi-Delete Github Project Wiki page for project details. I have just updated with more information, updated gerber, schematic, and BOM files.

Also, thank you to the admins for your understanding and unlocking the thread. :tup:

Would it be OK to ask some questions about this in regards to a G37?

Funny enough that's my daily, but if you want to go aftermarket in the G metra makes a kit to allow for it and keep your climate controls. I'm going workshop 12

That Metra kit is atrocious!

I see that the Z only has single-zone HVAC, the G's have dual-zone.
I wish iMaestro made an integration system, just need the HVAC settings displayed on an aftermarket radio.

And no Chinese Android Tesla radios for me!