DIY Mini-Dash LCD Gauges Update

[MotorvateDIY]

Just wanted to give an update on the Bluetooth and CAN bus gauges...We now have a much smaller working "mule" development module.

This version shows real time engine coolant temperature, engine oil temperature, engine oil pressure and air/fuel ratio of bank 1.

The next version will have multiple screens to show more data. Items like differential oil temp*, real time tire pressures, automatic transmission fluid temperature, and current gear.

* The differential oil temp uses na engine coolant temperature sensor from a Nissan Sentra, with a custom adapter that we developed.

[Zingston]

Sub'd!

[rspray2000]

Wait, so CAN bus has oil pressure?

[MotorvateDIY]

Originally Posted by rspray2000

Wait, so CAN bus has oil pressure?

That would be nice, but it doesn't.

I have a 150 psi pressure sensor in the place of the pressure switch and that is connected to our "bluetooth sensor server". The oil pressure is received by the mini-dash and displayed.

The bluetooth sensor server can support up to 8 sensors, so there is lots of room for expansion if needed.

The main reason we decided to use bluetooth was so that wires don't have to be run wires from the engine bay, through the firewall to the interior.

The only wiring that needs to be done is ignition and ground... and those are VERY easy to find under the hood

[rspray2000]

Originally Posted by MotorvateDIY

That would be nice, but it doesn't.

I have a 150 psi pressure sensor in the place of the pressure switch and that is connected to our "bluetooth sensor server". The oil pressure is received by the mini-dash and displayed.

The bluetooth sensor server can support up to 8 sensors, so there is lots of room for expansion if needed.

The main reason we decided to use bluetooth was so that wires don't have to be run wires from the engine bay, through the firewall to the interior.

The only wiring that needs to be done is ignition and ground... and those are VERY easy to find under the hood

Ok thanks. Just checking I didn’t miss something.

[MotorvateDIY]

Originally Posted by rspray2000

Ok thanks. Just checking I didn’t miss something.

Understood... I may not of been clear as a few people have asked about that.

[redondoaveb]

What about boost?

[MotorvateDIY]

Originally Posted by redondoaveb

What about boost?

Boost should be possible.

Off the top of my head I see a few different ways this could be done. Stand alone MAP sensor connecting to the bluetooth server sensor, tap into factory MAP sensor, or if you are tuned, there might be a way to get that off the CAN bus.

[redondoaveb]

Originally Posted by MotorvateDIY

Boost should be possible.

Off the top of my head I see a few different ways this could be done. Stand alone MAP sensor connecting to the bluetooth server sensor, tap into factory MAP sensor, or if you are tuned, there might be a way to get that off the CAN bus.

Tuned on Ecutek by Seb at Specialty Z. Any way to get the AF to read off an aftermarket O2 sensor instead of the factory sensors?

[MotorvateDIY]

Originally Posted by redondoaveb

Tuned on Ecutek by Seb at Specialty Z. Any way to get the AF to read off an aftermarket O2 sensor instead of the factory sensors?

It depends on the AFR gauge/controller being used.
For example, AEM's X-Series controllers have a 0-5 volt output that is proportional to AFR and they also have a CAN bus output of AFR.
(https://www.aemelectronics.com/produ...ntroller-gauge)

Tell me what gauge/controller do you have and I will look into it.

Also, I have verified that boost levels can also be read using OBD Service $01 (live data)


Thanks for the excellent questions and keep them comng

[redondoaveb]

Originally Posted by MotorvateDIY

It depends on the AFR gauge/controller being used.
For example, AEM's X-Series controllers have a 0-5 volt output that is proportional to AFR and they also have a CAN bus output of AFR.
(https://www.aemelectronics.com/produ...ntroller-gauge)

Tell me what gauge/controller do you have and I will look into it.

Also, I have verified that boost levels can also be read using OBD Service $01 (live data)


Thanks for the excellent questions and keep them comng

I use the AEM 30-0310 X Series controller with a Speedhut gauge. Good to hear about boost readings

[redondoaveb]

Hey Frank, since I'm on a roll here, what about ethanol content? I'm currently using the Zeitronix ECA-2

[MotorvateDIY]

Originally Posted by redondoaveb

Hey Frank, since I'm on a roll here, what about ethanol content? I'm currently using the Zeitronix ECA-2

Yes, the ECA-2 has a 5 volt output that can be used as an input (Ethanol % = 20 * Voltage)

Also, I could get the ethanol content and fuel temp from a typical GM flex-fuel sensor. They have an output of 50 Hz (0% ethanol) to 150Hz, 100% ethanol.
That is easy for a microcontroller to measure and calculate.

With that said, I haven't done this, so I would need to do some testing.

Next Question

[redondoaveb]

Originally Posted by MotorvateDIY

Yes, the ECA-2 has a 5 volt output that can be used as an input (Ethanol % = 20 * Voltage)

Also, I could get the ethanol content and fuel temp from a typical GM flex-fuel sensor. They have an output of 50 Hz (0% ethanol) to 150Hz, 100% ethanol.
That is easy for a microcontroller to measure and calculate.

With that said, I haven't done this, so I would need to do some testing.

Next Question

One last question, when are you going to have this available so I can get rid of all my other gauges and the big wad of wiring buried behind my cubby panel?

[MotorvateDIY]

Your setup looks nice!

As for when, the only answer I have is sometime in the spring.
COVID supply chain issues forced me to do a complete hardware redesign and since there were no car meets, it was difficult to get the raw CAN bus data.

But it is all coming together