Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 07:37:05 -0400
Reply-To: Derek Drew <drew@INTERPORT.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Derek Drew <drew@INTERPORT.NET>
Subject: Digifant dashboard analysis tool you are making
In-Reply-To: <01bd9f22$cba90c80$3d02ebd0@default>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
At 10:47 PM 6/23/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi Derek,.
> I have found an LCD display that I think will accommodate our needs on
>the digifant tool. It will add about $25 and 1 hour of assembly time. The
Boy you are efficient. I have not yet heard that you have a list of all the
Bentley FI tests and that you are seeking to include as many of those as
possible into your new design. I am so impressed by your project that I am
tempted to snail mail you photocopies of these tests, just to make sure you
have them all.
>digifant tool could be made in 2 pieces. One containing the LCD display
>and leds. A second unit would have digifant pens for metering and
>connections / drivers between the digifant and the display unit.
Digifant pens?
> This good looking tool on the dash maybe seems to be a little
>more than is necessary for analyzing the digifant. I am old and more or
>less set in my ways and don't quite understand the need, but I am game for
>some new ideas. I personally could drive around with my leds flashing and
>the oxygen sensor output displayed and enjoy it. But I feel few other people
>would be so inclined. Maybe you can enlighten me on the this topic. With
If the display were designed to be small enough, it could go into a panel
discreetly mounted in the dash, say, in the area above the glovebox or
somewhere like that. Then, by pressing a button, one could do all the
Bentley tests in just a few seconds. This would be neet from a diagnostic
point of view, as at the first time of engine trouble, one might be able to
get a diagnosis of the problem in seconds. That first point of engine
trouble is usually quite traumatic, and so such a diagnostic tool would be
of great value at that time.
Nevertheless, it does indeed seem like overkill to push it to this length
for now until we can determine that all the Bentley FI tests are completely
covered. I am just saying that I would probably pay an extra $150 to have
immediate access to Bentley FI test results in my dash, and I bet others
would too. But it is as well to hold off on this for now.
>such a tool as we are now discussing maybe we don't even need probe points.
>Just knowing a sensors operating voltage values would be very adequate to
>determine if a component needs replaced or is functional. The beauty of
>either way is intermittent problems would be a lot easier to analyze.
OK.
> Some food for thought . Something I have on my van is an electric oil
>pressure gauge. This gauge uses 2 parts, a pressure sender and the gauge,
>and wire connecting them. I have installed extra senders for coolant
>pressure and fuel pressure. I have a switch under the dash with which oil ,
>coolant , or fuel pressure is displayed on the same gauge. It would be
>possible to send the same 3 senders to the digifant tool LCD display. This
>may seem like an overkill but I can tell you the instant I have a slight
>leak in the cooling system. The pressure drops off from the normal 14psi.
ultra neat. I want this too!
>Also the fuel system (pump, pressure regulator ) can be checked with the
>flip of a switch. Some day my westy will have more gauges and switches than
>a 747 if I live long enough.
I want a 747 Westy too!
> How small do we need to get the dash unit? Maybe it could fit in the
>ash tray and pop up when the ash tray is opened. I think it would fit on
very elegant.
>the something the size of the ashtray lid if I worked at it. Please don't
>suggest fitting it into the clock space. I would still like to hold the cost
>down. There are several young people starting out that are hard up and
>always have more than their share of van problems.
The ashtray has a lot to recommend it. I'd prefer someplace else simply
because sometimes I use the ashtray hole to mount a TV set and sometimes to
mount my laptop for GPS driving. But I think an ashtrap flip-up mount would
be awesome. I support this. Alternatively, I could see a flip-down panel to
the right of the ciggaratte lighter. Somehow I prefer the latter--it gives
you more design room, and there is a lot of storage room behind there to
store components.
> My son Tom said the digifant tool response at his site on this was
>very heavy, several people have written me directly but there seems to be
>very little discussion on the list. Hell I haven't even been flamed good
>yet.
I suspect many on the list are watching in admiration. Also, the improved
subject line above may bring in a few more viewers. Go to
http://taos.midwest.net/vw
I'm still back to wanting to see a maximum correlation between all the
Bentley FI tests possible and this tool.
>Darrell
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Derek Drew <drew@interport.net>
>To: Darrell Boehler <midwesty@taos.midwest.net>
>Date: Tuesday, June 23, 1998 10:05 AM
>Subject: Re: digifant
>
>
>>This project you have embarked on is nothing short of stunning. It is the
>>kind of thing I would think up.
>>
>>It moves us truly forward.
>>
>>I can see that when prototyping is done, including digital readouts for the
>>Bentley FI tests, a production run of 50 units, priced at $145 each.
>>Possibly even $200 each for the units designed to look good on the dash.
>>
>>At 08:48 AM 6/23/98 -0500, you wrote:
>>>---------------------------------
>>>Hi Derek and Volks,
>>> You bring up some excellent points, I will try to respond. First to
>all
>>>thanks for the big response, the server (http://taos.midwest.net/vw )
>where
>>>the digifant tool is posted has been busy and I'm sorry for any waits
>>>encountered by fellow volks.
>>> >1) Are their any readings which you now have LEDs connected to which
>>>might
>>>>benefit from being connected to a LCD digital readout rather than the
>>>>cruder information one gets from LEDs? Many of the Bentley tests are
>>>>numerical information rather than simply on/off information.
>>>
>>> The 6 LEDs are used to display all the signals I could find that are
>>>displayable with an led. They are, 1 digifant power, 2 start (this alerts
>>>the digifant we are turning the key to start), 3 fuel pump power on , 4
>>>throttle position switch , 5 coil minus signal , 6 fuel injector signal
>.
>>>All these signals are from / to and directly driven by the digifant or
>its
>>>inputs. The added load the LEDs put on these signals is very minor.
>>> I feel many fellow listees seem to want an lcd display to be able
>to
>>>have the analog signals more readily available than their personal
>>>multimeter provides. I am an old technician who trusts and believes in
>his
>>>tools, such as meter, scope , and felt being able to quickly attach them
>to
>>>the digifant tool was very adaquate. Not all of us have the same needs and
>>>wants. I havn't thought this over all the way but I think a small
>built
>>>in lcd meter that has available at the flip of a switch , (1) temp 1
>sensor
>>>, (2) temp 2 sensor , (3) oxygen sensor , (4) afm (air flow meter)
>wiper
>>>, and (5) a probe (for the user to use as needed) would be a desired
>>>feature wanted by many. This will add to the cost. I will do some
>>>shopping around today. Please let me know your thoughts.
>>>>
>>>>2) If I elect to have you do one of these, can I send you my spare ECU
>and
>>>>have you do that part too?
>>>Yes I would do the digifant ECU and the perfboard digifant tool for you
>if
>>>you like for about $50. Note. So you know I have btdt . I am retired
>>>and not looking fro a steady job. My electronics experience began in
>1960
>>>USN electronics technicial and then 30 years years and retired from ibm
>>>servicing main frame and process controll computers along with their
>>>perferial.
>>>
>>>Darrell Boehler
>>>Makanda Illinois
>>>>
>>>
>>_____________________________________________________
>>Derek Drew New York, NY & Washington DC
>>ConsumerSearch
>>drew@interport.net
>>212-580-6486 (W)
>>212-580-4459; 202-966-0938 (H)
>>
>
_____________________________________________________
Derek Drew New York, NY & Washington DC
ConsumerSearch
drew@interport.net
212-580-6486 (W)
212-580-4459; 202-966-0938 (H)
