Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 23:07:32 -0500
Reply-To: "Jason M. Yasment" <vanagon@NYCAP.RR.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Jason M. Yasment" <vanagon@NYCAP.RR.COM>
Subject: Re: Computerized Gauge Setup
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Ken,
I was thinking of a laptop with the OBD software on it. I've seen this
software in the back of European Car (I'll look through to find it if you
are interested). If I remember right the computer requirements are minimal,
so a used laptop would suffice. The software is already written and the
necessary hardware comes with the software.......and then you could put the
laptop to double duty as a navigation device with a GPS and some mapping
software, like AAA sells.
Jason
----- Original Message -----
From: <KENWILFY@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 1999 9:44 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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