Arduino powered MFD- Battery and temp display

I was looking at dual battery monitors and after not finding much looked further. Also finding out my Patrol hasn’t got real OBDII so are unable to use the cheap link programs went looking at building my own MFD (Multi-function display). I wanted to see some temps, dual battery volts and maybe the MAF output. I came across these Arduino Microprocessor’s and with some searching found other people had done something similar. Idea #1.....
So after a spending about $20 on eBay got a board and some temp sensors and LCD and started to write the code to run it. It’s not that hard it’s all open source and lots of info out there. Here is a basic start to single temp only.
Here are some pics of the installed unit. The controller sits in a small box 2” square x4’ long under the glove box area and has a 5v power supply in it and some relays to dim the screen LCD at night. It runs the screen on the steering wheel and is connected to the sensors. These figures are not accurate as still adjusting code to get the calibration right. Was correct for my computer 5volt output but in car is different.
The startup says ‘NISSAN’ for 5 sec then rolls thru each page ‘Batt volts’, ‘inside and intake temps’ ‘Tranny and engine temps’ then back to batt volts again with a 4 sec delay between screens.
I’ve already started on m second one as this board has limited inputs (6 analogue). I’ve got a new one coming with 16 as I want to display a bar graph type display or MAF output, Altitude and a DTE (distance to empty)setup using both fuel tank capacities. Will keep you updated with the setup when the new one goes in.
Paul

Clever!

Saw stuff promoting arduino and a couple of books about it, and some bits and pieces at Jaycar. Looked too hard for me, and I didn't see the applications you have, so I left it all in the shop :-)

Looks great! Have had a little bit to do with the arduino myself. Made a steering wheel control system for iPod in my old commodore. Was contemplating doing something similar to what you've got there.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Yes Jaycar have started selling freetronics brand stuff. Bit pricey like everything they sell, but if you cant wait for eBay, I guess its Ok.

Wow. I'd love to do this, but I'm not sure if I'm up to it.

What's the display screen that you used?

Is a Raspberry Pi similar, better, worse, or totally different?

Can an average dummy (I've learnt a little html) learn how to code this?

The Pi is similar just not that common. Arduino stuff is everywhere and all open source code so easy to mod. I used the 16x2 (16 caracters with 2 lines) Ebay or Jaycar for all parts. Still under construction version 2 with Altitude more temps and fuel distance to empty. Just got to finish all my other projects first.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mega-1280...#ht_979wt_1397
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-5v-16...ht_1973wt_1163
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5-pcs-LM3...#ht_956wt_1163

Awesome. Thanks heaps for that.
Can you please share pics and details of your new set up when it's done?
I want to start with a temp gauge for our auto trans, plus a low coolant alarm, and a engine temp alarm.
For the low coolant alarm I think I need to use an AC circuit rather than a DC one, to avoid the risk of electrolysis. Hopefully an Arduino can do that for me.

This would be easy to do. I wouldnt bother with the AC. The input to the Arduino to trigger the alarm will be a 1-5v dv signal. Either converted from the engine coolant temp sensor or a LM35 type sensor. Code will be ..when 100deg reached sensor puts out say 5v and triggers a piezo buzzer. thought about this myself for the 550 deg EGT point.

This is the sensor I had in mind for the low coolant level (blown hose, punctured radiator, etc), www.ebay.com.au Coolant Level Sensor.
I don't see how a LM35, or the factory temp sensor can do the same job as this can?

Opinions seem a bit mixed on weather there's an electrolysis risk. Some say a really low current eliminates the danger, others say you shouldn't use DC at all.

Hey bud once you have this sorted with all the extras your talking about you really should consider putting a few together and sell them as i reckon if you can make them a relatively simple plug and play job your on a winner for sure and a few hunderd bux each you would fetch easy. No idea what it has cost you but you'd make it back i reckon and then some. Nissan sold a heap of that engine.

Looks great

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ripper

This is the sensor I had in mind for the low coolant level (blown hose, punctured radiator, etc), www.ebay.com.au Coolant Level Sensor.
I don't see how a LM35, or the factory temp sensor can do the same job as this can?

Opinions seem a bit mixed on weather there's an electrolysis risk. Some say a really low current eliminates the danger, others say you shouldn't use DC at all.

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I was thinking temp alarm not no water alarm. The sensor would work but this can easy be done with a relay led and peizo buzzer. If you want to use with the arduino a ultrasonic sensor would work and no electrolysis worry.

Sorry for not getting back sooner. Got the flu and it really floored me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by adventurepaul

If you want to use with the arduino a ultrasonic sensor would work and no electrolysis worry.

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I really like the ultrasonic idea, but couldn't find an affordable sensor which could handle the temperatures.

That brings me back to the electrodes version. I found an integrated circuit that is perfect for running an ac current to the probes, so now I'm wondering if an Arduino can do the same as this IC?
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum.../2012/10/1.png

If the Arduino can't do that, I'll set up the low coolant alarm as a stand alone system, and use the Arduino for my trans temp gauge, engine temp gauge, and I'm also thinking of using it to replace the LPG and petrol gauges which are hopeless.

So here's my shopping list

Arduino
Screen (4 lines for more detail)
Plate to mount the screen in
Temp sensor to glue onto the engine
Probe for low coolant alarm
Mounting to put the probe into the radiator hose

A box for the Arduino and some wires to connect everything will be easy to work out, but I still need to find a suitable temp sender for the auto trans fluid, and to find out if I need to buy a separate IC, or if the Arduino can do the whole job.
Then I have the fun of learning to program it.

Nice job. i was also thinking of doing something similar.. i even started but then got bored with writing code :(

An idea for you, you can get arduinos to talk to android devices, plus there are now android based double din car stereos... you see where im gong?

Fast and the furious type computer display with whaterever type of input and graphical display your heart could dream of. Plus then you could run ozie explorer off the double din stereo too as its android.

Paul,
Nice work indeed are you prepared to share the source code, and what sensors you uesd and which 16x 2 display.

I have been developing a digital speedo using two arduino's one to represent speedo drive output and then one as digital speedo.
with program selectable over speed thresholds.

Longer term would also use it to supply pules to cruise control unit.

An idea for you, you can get arduinos to talk to android devices, plus there are now android based double din car stereos... you see where im gong?

Fast and the furious type computer display with whaterever type of input and graphical display your heart could dream of. Plus then you could run ozie explorer off the double din stereo too as its android."
Yes you can get android/ bluetooth shields for Arduino's. Buddy of mine is doing a remote start on his nav with one. I run Ozi on my WindowsCE chinease 7"DVD GPS so u dont need an android version. However i find that program runs real slow unless u have bulk RAM, like +2 gigs.

"Nice work indeed are you prepared to share the source code, and what sensors you uesd and which 16x 2 display"
I guess i can, i found most on forums anyway. Im still in Canada till next year. Was planning on it when i get the DTE Version and altitude going. Its all on my home pc so will have to wait.
The temp sensors i used are LM 35, the Arduino site has code for these and battery is easy, just drop the volts to <5v max input and convert the output to read to 12.

Sorry for the late replys havent visited here for a while now, having too much fun:-):-):-):-)

Im doing the sane - using the arduino from jaycar (freetronics model 11) and the Jaycar lcd screen.

The software is very simalr to C++, and easy to drive

I used this code http://www.clarenceho.net:8123/blog/...test-voltmeter to make a simple volt meter. As most sensor are based on a volt meter type rady it should be easy to change the setting as required.

Note change the lcd setting to this if you use the jaycar lcd

LiquidCrystal lcd(8, 9, 4, 5, 6,7);

adventurepaul,

Is this project still on the go?

Arduino has numerous applications, various inputs, various display methods using one PCB. Good thread mate!

My latest running arduino project is a gps based speedo using a 2 line LCD with custom graphics for the speedo numbers (2 * 3) blocks - making it easier to read.

Additonaly I use the GPS based time to dim the back light between 7 Pm - 7 Am

The parts list is a GPS receiver, arduino nano board and a 2 * 14 seerial display.

Nicely done. I've been thinking of doing something similar using one of the displays from 4d systems which would almost fit a normal instrument cluster.

http://www.4dsystems.com.au/product/uLCD_220RD/

The 4d displays are smart with a number of inputs etc - you dont need a arduino to run the display

We have been playing with a uLCD-43DCT at work to make a smart control panel to switch a number of receivers

http://www.4dsystems.com.au/products