My first DIY gauge

[kc427]

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.

What is inside? Basically, it is a simply MCU module. For ease starting, I choose to use the Arduino, 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)



This is the main board with 20x4 LCD.



Connected the LCD and the main board.



Another view.....



Yet, another view.....



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.





OK, after soldering, and try the first LCD program, to make sure no error when soldering the wires.



Now, design the template of the display, with dummy data.



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.

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

[andyleaves]

Looks damm impressive...
Well Done - top stuff

[VR4Kaos]

This looks the dogs gonads mate

[Kryton]

I want one! This is awesome + think it would look sweet in place of the clock

[VR4Kaos]

you shouldx knock a few together quite sure you will sell a couple on here to fellow members

[CANDEE]

Very interesting....

Helps when you have the defi controller and the sensors.

Might be interested in one depending on the cost etc...

[kc427]

oh, haha..... sorry sorry.... I am not going to make any money, I make this is just for interest, and share this to you all. If anyone is interested, he can make one by himself, or he can find someone who has basic elect knowledge to make it, and I can send the program if needed.

[kc427]

I want one! This is awesome + think it would look sweet in place of the clock

I thought about it too, but that clock space seems too narrow to put a 4 rows LCD, and if putting a 2 rows LCD, only 4 parameter can be shown, and also, a bit far away to see the LCD

[Turbo_Steve]

Brilliant Achivement - have you learnt much?
Makes me wonder what is actually inside the real Defi Display

[PaddyB]

Great work. How do you get the data - has it got an ADC or does it communicate on some protocol with the Defi stuff.

[Turbo_Steve]

The Atmega will be programmed to read the Defi-Bus protocol directly.

[PaddyB]

Is that an open protocol then ?? Or does it require some sniffing ??

[kc427]

Brilliant Achivement - have you learnt much?
Makes me wonder what is actually inside the real Defi Display

Not sure what it is inside the Defi display, but, of course a MCU+OLED.

[kc427]

Great work. How do you get the data - has it got an ADC or does it communicate on some protocol with the Defi stuff.

I don't know whether there is ADC inside Defi Display or not, but I guess no need to use ADC inside.

The Atmega will be programmed to read the Defi-Bus protocol directly.

Yes, you are right. Actually, the Defi-bus protocol is simply serial signals, eg, the RS232 signal on COM port on the PC. I found this signal protocol from a Japanese website. Also, you can use PC software to spy the signal on that serial line. eg:

Defi controller __________________ Gauge
..................................|
..................................|
..................................|______________________ PC (RX of the com port)

So, I use the Atmega to read the data from the serial line, and then decode the data from each block/frame, then convert to actual value, and display on the LCD, and keep repeating this.

[kc427]

It has been long long time without any update on the project. Nothing special, simply changed the LCD display to an OLED display, and still in sloooow progress.

2012-05-23 00.11.34.jpg2012-05-23 00.13.23.jpg2012-05-23 00.14.06.jpgScreenshot_2012-12-22-00-35-20.png

and a simple video

[MarkSanne]

Cool!

[wintertidenz]

Looks really good. I was thinking of making something to display wideband AFR, and other gauge sensor readings, but I haven't even started looking at what to start with.