Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 21:44:59 -0800
Reply-To: sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steve Schwenk <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Subject: Re: Computerized Gauge Setup
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Ken, i am inspired that you are inspired and have been
letting your mind wanderer. How about also tracking
mileage...then you could measure all sorts of
things...like last oil change, MPG, miles on
tires...miles since last tire rotation...your entire
maitenance schedule. You could also download the
archive (or the list CD) for breakdowns (for when you
had no internet access), be able to use travel
CDs...maps...Jason's GPS...plus monitor all of your
engine vitals...and broadcast to the web or get/send
e-mail at a pay phone.
I have a toshiba laptop i would love to install in my
van to use in this fashoion.
OK, lets get our startup rolling. P-mail me with your
expertise, ideas and when we can meet. Lets make a
prototype and go visit some of our local venture
capitalists so we can make milliond and millions when
we go public!
steve\
"Jason M. Yasment" wrote:
>
> 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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