Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 07:25:07 -0600
Reply-To: Darrell Boehler <midwesty@MIDWEST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Darrell Boehler <midwesty@MIDWEST.NET>
Subject: Re: Computerized Gauge Setup
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hi Ken,
This is a good idea and one I have some first hand knowledge. First
many things we need to monitor are analog. You will need an ADC (analog to
digital converter). Weeder Technologies from Fort Walton Beach FL (phone 850
863- 5723) has a nice adc kit that is pre programmed and connects to the
serial port on a laptop or pc for $50. They also have a digital kit for the
digital signals $32. These units are stackable and nicely packaged, however
electronically they are fragile unbuffered and easy to damage if you get
the wrong signal or a noise spike, smile (^_^). The kits require that you
provide them signals with the proper voltage level. The digital kit also has
digital out for controlling things. With these kits you can control /
monitor anything you deem necessary or worthwhile.
There is only one problem, this project will require time and lots of
it. Something that none of us have enough of.
Darrell Boehler
----- Original Message -----
From: <KENWILFY@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 1999 8:44 PM
Subject: Computerized Gauge Setup
> Here is my latest brainstorm on my quest for the ultimate Gauge cluster
that
> doesn't take up alot of space and require cutting or drilling:
>
> I was thinking, why not just get one of those small note pad computers
with a
> back lit screen (like palm pilot or whatever). Then mount it's docking
bay
> on my dash next to the instrument cluster and secure it with a velcro
strap.
> Now all I have to do is setup all my senders and then wire then into some
> type of plug that will plug into the computer (I have no idea what this
> entails). Then all I have to find is a program that would take the sender
> readings and display them in either a number readout or some type of bar
> graph, etc. You could have several "layers" of gauges that you could
scroll
> through by pushing a button, basically telling you everything that is
going
> on back there (thinking of installing a camera in the engine compartment
to
> actually watch the motor itself but I wonder if this is overkill/could be
a
> distraction while driving? :)
>
> So what do you think? Am I dreaming? Could this be done without spending
a
> million dollars? I mean you could use the small computer for other things
> too and just plug it into the van when you were taking trips and wanted to
> keep an eye on things. If I bought 6 gauges and some instrument pods I
would
> be out around $200 so buying a small computer would not really be that
much
> more money.
> Any ideas?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Ken Wilford
> http://www.vanagain.com
> John 3:16
> Office (856)-765-1583
> Shop (856)-327-0027
> Fax (856)-327-2242
>
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