kc427
02-07-2010, 09:18 PM
Just want to share some experience on making my first DIY gauge, and this is used to connect to the Defi Controller, and display the sensors reading. More or less, it will be a clone of the Defi Link Display./drinkswine
What is inside? Basically, it is a simply MCU module. For ease starting, I choose to use the Arduino (http://arduino.cc), which is based on using the ATMEGA MCU, so that I don't need to create the serial port driver as well as the LCD driver of the program. The only thing to do is read data from the serial line, then do the calculation, and then display the reading on the LCD, and keep doing this.
Here is some photo of my device.
The device is based on using the ATMEGA168, you can simple buy one, or make one by yourself. For the prototype, I prefer to make one by myself, so I can modify it easier if needed. Ok, after soldered, it looks like this: (note, there is no serial port component soldered yet)
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0109.jpg
This is the main board with 20x4 LCD.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0111.jpg
Connected the LCD and the main board.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0112.jpg
Another view.....
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0113.jpg
Yet, another view.....
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0114.jpg
I simply use the pins connector to attach and detach the LCD and the main board, since when flashing the MCU, I need to detach the LCD.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0117.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0118.jpg
OK, after soldering, and try the first LCD program, to make sure no error when soldering the wires.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0121.jpg
Now, design the template of the display, with dummy data.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0122.jpg
After flashing the program, it's time to test in the real world. Go to the car, connect it to the Defi Link Display or the gauge, and start testing it.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0136.jpg
And right now, I am still improving the program and fixing the bugs.
Also, I upload a simple demo in the youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8I_xSiDc4g (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8I_xSiDc4g)
What is inside? Basically, it is a simply MCU module. For ease starting, I choose to use the Arduino (http://arduino.cc), which is based on using the ATMEGA MCU, so that I don't need to create the serial port driver as well as the LCD driver of the program. The only thing to do is read data from the serial line, then do the calculation, and then display the reading on the LCD, and keep doing this.
Here is some photo of my device.
The device is based on using the ATMEGA168, you can simple buy one, or make one by yourself. For the prototype, I prefer to make one by myself, so I can modify it easier if needed. Ok, after soldered, it looks like this: (note, there is no serial port component soldered yet)
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0109.jpg
This is the main board with 20x4 LCD.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0111.jpg
Connected the LCD and the main board.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0112.jpg
Another view.....
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0113.jpg
Yet, another view.....
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0114.jpg
I simply use the pins connector to attach and detach the LCD and the main board, since when flashing the MCU, I need to detach the LCD.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0117.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0118.jpg
OK, after soldering, and try the first LCD program, to make sure no error when soldering the wires.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0121.jpg
Now, design the template of the display, with dummy data.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0122.jpg
After flashing the program, it's time to test in the real world. Go to the car, connect it to the Defi Link Display or the gauge, and start testing it.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h286/kcheng8888/MyDefi/IMAG0136.jpg
And right now, I am still improving the program and fixing the bugs.
Also, I upload a simple demo in the youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8I_xSiDc4g (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8I_xSiDc4g)