Like I don't already have enough to do... Ha!
This is an idea I've had for a while now. With all the fancy gauge sets out there, no one
has offered a "TFT digital display" style gauge set on the market. We certainly have the
technology, but for some reason no one has done it and I'm not sure why.
Maybe the expense? The only place I've seen them (to date) is in Boeing Airbusses.
Now that my Insertable Headlight Harness project is done, I've decided to revisit
gauge cluster projects. After doing the last custom cluster for Madd Matt, I've started
looking (again) at options. Given the 2 "snow" weekends we've had recently, I got a
little incentive to investigate the possibilities of a "virtual dash" for the X1/9.
The up side of this is that you can create whatever you want. Literally. Need a
gauge, make a gauge. The styling is whatever you make it, so the possibilities are
endless. Color, shape, style, whatever.
The down side: expense for one, "ready status" for another. This concept requires a
computer to work. No one wants to wait for their gauge cluster to "boot up", so the
technological challenge (for that) is there. Waiting 15 - 20 seconds for it wouldn't be
intollerable however. (in my view) Expense-wise, I think it could be "built" for around
$1200, plus the software creation time. So for some, a do-able investment.
To answer a few questions in advance, here is an example of what COULD be included
as a "standard" package:
One wire oil pressure gauge. (transducer only) Light activates with preset limit.
Temperature gauge with over-temp light and digital output. (preset as above)
Voltage gauge. (digital or analog)
Speedometer selectable with KPH/MPH (you select) with shift set point outputs
One wire fuel sensing.
Clock-wise or counter-clockwise Tachometer with hi-lo RPM output sensing
Air/fuel ratio gauge
Vacuum pressure gauge
Ambient Temperature gauge
Custom gauge / needle colors.
This CAN & WILL work with MegaSquirt. I'm working on the digital/serial interface
NOW. When completed will be far superior to the "general use" interface MegaSquirt
offers. If I can get over the hardware (i.e. computer/LCD screen) hurdles, the rest will
be easy.
I have "built" a working software model. Below are pictures of what my prototype looks
like. This is based on a late model X1/9 cluster.
You'll notice the gauge and "toolbox" area (of sorts) that allow adjustment or
toggling of the internal registers that make it work.
And the LCD Screen I'm looking at is from one of those "visor monitors":
The computer is made by Samsung and has 2 USB ports, (1 for serial MegaSquirt and 1 for
Digital/analog interface) external video out, a "flash" drive and many other features found
in full-blown units:
and the cluster interface: (usb to D/A converter)
Other goodies could also be added, but this is where the project BEGINS.
For All that want to give it a "test drive", you can download the files HERE but FIRST create
an empty folder on your computer, then unzip ALL four (4) files. PLEASE view the
"Read Me First!!" file BEFORE you begin the install.
This program was written by me and contains NO spyware, malware, viruses or the like.
It's a simple installer program and will create a folder in your Program Files folder called
"Bertone X19 eCluster" that runs from your Start Menu.
The program was tested using Windows XP only. When you UNINSTALL the
program, it uninstalls completely and leaves nothing behind.
This program was designed to run on a screen resolution of at least 1440 x 900 pixels at
92DPI. If your screen resolution is smaller, the gauge cluster will work but appear too big
for your screen. You CAN drag it around but it'll not look the way I intend you to view.
Also, If your pixel count is set to 120 DPI, (the default is 92) the screen re-draw
sequence will look pretty funky. But nothing here will cause your computer to lock up
or crash, etc.
Note: There are slide bars, check boxes, buttons, etc. you can use that all simulate
inputs. This program is a working model so you can simulate without the use of a D/A USB
converter. If you click/hold the up/down arrows, the gauges will scroll. (or you can use the slider)
Have fun with it!
DamonFG has been kind enough to host this for me so MANY THANKS go out to him.
Let me know what you think. (or if I'm wasting my time!)
This is an idea I've had for a while now. With all the fancy gauge sets out there, no one
has offered a "TFT digital display" style gauge set on the market. We certainly have the
technology, but for some reason no one has done it and I'm not sure why.
Maybe the expense? The only place I've seen them (to date) is in Boeing Airbusses.
Now that my Insertable Headlight Harness project is done, I've decided to revisit
gauge cluster projects. After doing the last custom cluster for Madd Matt, I've started
looking (again) at options. Given the 2 "snow" weekends we've had recently, I got a
little incentive to investigate the possibilities of a "virtual dash" for the X1/9.
The up side of this is that you can create whatever you want. Literally. Need a
gauge, make a gauge. The styling is whatever you make it, so the possibilities are
endless. Color, shape, style, whatever.
The down side: expense for one, "ready status" for another. This concept requires a
computer to work. No one wants to wait for their gauge cluster to "boot up", so the
technological challenge (for that) is there. Waiting 15 - 20 seconds for it wouldn't be
intollerable however. (in my view) Expense-wise, I think it could be "built" for around
$1200, plus the software creation time. So for some, a do-able investment.
To answer a few questions in advance, here is an example of what COULD be included
as a "standard" package:
One wire oil pressure gauge. (transducer only) Light activates with preset limit.
Temperature gauge with over-temp light and digital output. (preset as above)
Voltage gauge. (digital or analog)
Speedometer selectable with KPH/MPH (you select) with shift set point outputs
One wire fuel sensing.
Clock-wise or counter-clockwise Tachometer with hi-lo RPM output sensing
Air/fuel ratio gauge
Vacuum pressure gauge
Ambient Temperature gauge
Custom gauge / needle colors.
This CAN & WILL work with MegaSquirt. I'm working on the digital/serial interface
NOW. When completed will be far superior to the "general use" interface MegaSquirt
offers. If I can get over the hardware (i.e. computer/LCD screen) hurdles, the rest will
be easy.
I have "built" a working software model. Below are pictures of what my prototype looks
like. This is based on a late model X1/9 cluster.
You'll notice the gauge and "toolbox" area (of sorts) that allow adjustment or
toggling of the internal registers that make it work.
And the LCD Screen I'm looking at is from one of those "visor monitors":
The computer is made by Samsung and has 2 USB ports, (1 for serial MegaSquirt and 1 for
Digital/analog interface) external video out, a "flash" drive and many other features found
in full-blown units:
and the cluster interface: (usb to D/A converter)
Other goodies could also be added, but this is where the project BEGINS.
For All that want to give it a "test drive", you can download the files HERE but FIRST create
an empty folder on your computer, then unzip ALL four (4) files. PLEASE view the
"Read Me First!!" file BEFORE you begin the install.
This program was written by me and contains NO spyware, malware, viruses or the like.
It's a simple installer program and will create a folder in your Program Files folder called
"Bertone X19 eCluster" that runs from your Start Menu.
The program was tested using Windows XP only. When you UNINSTALL the
program, it uninstalls completely and leaves nothing behind.
This program was designed to run on a screen resolution of at least 1440 x 900 pixels at
92DPI. If your screen resolution is smaller, the gauge cluster will work but appear too big
for your screen. You CAN drag it around but it'll not look the way I intend you to view.
Also, If your pixel count is set to 120 DPI, (the default is 92) the screen re-draw
sequence will look pretty funky. But nothing here will cause your computer to lock up
or crash, etc.
Note: There are slide bars, check boxes, buttons, etc. you can use that all simulate
inputs. This program is a working model so you can simulate without the use of a D/A USB
converter. If you click/hold the up/down arrows, the gauges will scroll. (or you can use the slider)
Have fun with it!
DamonFG has been kind enough to host this for me so MANY THANKS go out to him.
Let me know what you think. (or if I'm wasting my time!)
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