Computerized gauges
 

I've been wondering, what would be involved in having a computer interpret
and display gauge readings.

By this I mean something such as having a laptop receiving inputs from the
various gauge sending units such as oil pressure, engine temp etc. and then
displaying them in some way.

I don't believe this is something I would actually do, it's just I was on a
long drive yesterday and it got into my head and I would really like to
figure it out.

I've googled unsuccessfully (I'm ashamed to admit) so if anyone can point me
in a direction ...

Computerized gauges
 

I have been thinking along similar lines. I think one of the problems is
that all the different analog gages one might encounter would need some sort
of intelligence between them and the computer to convert their measurements
into something the computer could understand. Most likely a microcontroller
and and Analog to Digital Converter (ADC). The microcontroller would handle
the gathering of the digital data and forwarding it to the main computer in
some sort of "standard" format such as a NMEAlike string. I am kind of
thinking a on-board LAN might work. There is some software out there that
does this with NMEA talkers already.

Anyway, it is doable but at what price?????

HTH

Vic

--
__________________________________________________ ______

Victor Fraenckel - The Windman
vfraenc1 ATSIGN nycap DOT rr DOTcom
KC2GUI

Home of the WindReader Electronic Theodolite
Read the WIND

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long
and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival."
- Winston [Leonard Spencer] Churchill (1874 - 1965)

Dost thou not know, my son, with how little wisdom the world is governed?
-Count Oxenstierna (ca 1620) to the young King Gustavus Adolphus

|

Computerized gauges
 

I have been thinking along similar lines. I think one of the problems is
that all the different analog gages one might encounter would need some sort
of intelligence between them and the computer to convert their measurements
into something the computer could understand. Most likely a microcontroller
and and Analog to Digital Converter (ADC). The microcontroller would handle
the gathering of the digital data and forwarding it to the main computer in
some sort of "standard" format such as a NMEAlike string. I am kind of
thinking a on-board LAN might work. There is some software out there that
does this with NMEA talkers already.

Anyway, it is doable but at what price?????

HTH

Vic

--
__________________________________________________ ______

Victor Fraenckel - The Windman
vfraenc1 ATSIGN nycap DOT rr DOTcom
KC2GUI

Home of the WindReader Electronic Theodolite
Read the WIND

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long
and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival."
- Winston [Leonard Spencer] Churchill (1874 - 1965)

Dost thou not know, my son, with how little wisdom the world is governed?
-Count Oxenstierna (ca 1620) to the young King Gustavus Adolphus

|

Computerized gauges
 

There are many many ways a hobbyist could do this ... if you are serious, I
suggest you head down to your local college, discuss your intent, and get
yourself into the appropriate evening course(s).

If it was me, I'm thinking all the required leads come up front. There they
could be multiplexed by an appropraite analog to digital converter, read by
your program and displayed by your program. If it was me, I'd do up the
drivers in assembler with the application in Visual Basic.

I prefer the look of guages on board ... okokok ... except for my fishfinder
.... I won't even consider a car that has a digital dash ... but I can see
that digital could be a cost saver.


"Paul" wrote in message
gers.com...
I've been wondering, what would be involved in having a computer interpret
and display gauge readings.

By this I mean something such as having a laptop receiving inputs from the
various gauge sending units such as oil pressure, engine temp etc. and
then
displaying them in some way.

I don't believe this is something I would actually do, it's just I was on
a
long drive yesterday and it got into my head and I would really like to
figure it out.

I've googled unsuccessfully (I'm ashamed to admit) so if anyone can point
me
in a direction ...

Computerized gauges
 

There are many many ways a hobbyist could do this ... if you are serious, I
suggest you head down to your local college, discuss your intent, and get
yourself into the appropriate evening course(s).

If it was me, I'm thinking all the required leads come up front. There they
could be multiplexed by an appropraite analog to digital converter, read by
your program and displayed by your program. If it was me, I'd do up the
drivers in assembler with the application in Visual Basic.

I prefer the look of guages on board ... okokok ... except for my fishfinder
.... I won't even consider a car that has a digital dash ... but I can see
that digital could be a cost saver.


"Paul" wrote in message
gers.com...
I've been wondering, what would be involved in having a computer interpret
and display gauge readings.

By this I mean something such as having a laptop receiving inputs from the
various gauge sending units such as oil pressure, engine temp etc. and
then
displaying them in some way.

I don't believe this is something I would actually do, it's just I was on
a
long drive yesterday and it got into my head and I would really like to
figure it out.

I've googled unsuccessfully (I'm ashamed to admit) so if anyone can point
me
in a direction ...

Computerized gauges
 

Maybe cruise on over to ... rec.boats.electronics ... and start a thread
there.

"bowgus" wrote in message
. rogers.com...
There are many many ways a hobbyist could do this ... if you are serious,
I
suggest you head down to your local college, discuss your intent, and get
yourself into the appropriate evening course(s).

If it was me, I'm thinking all the required leads come up front. There
they
could be multiplexed by an appropraite analog to digital converter, read
by
your program and displayed by your program. If it was me, I'd do up the
drivers in assembler with the application in Visual Basic.

I prefer the look of guages on board ... okokok ... except for my
fishfinder
... I won't even consider a car that has a digital dash ... but I can see
that digital could be a cost saver.


"Paul" wrote in message
gers.com...
I've been wondering, what would be involved in having a computer
interpret
and display gauge readings.

By this I mean something such as having a laptop receiving inputs from
the
various gauge sending units such as oil pressure, engine temp etc. and
then
displaying them in some way.

I don't believe this is something I would actually do, it's just I was
on
a
long drive yesterday and it got into my head and I would really like to
figure it out.

I've googled unsuccessfully (I'm ashamed to admit) so if anyone can
point
me
in a direction ...

Computerized gauges
 

Maybe cruise on over to ... rec.boats.electronics ... and start a thread
there.

"bowgus" wrote in message
. rogers.com...
There are many many ways a hobbyist could do this ... if you are serious,
I
suggest you head down to your local college, discuss your intent, and get
yourself into the appropriate evening course(s).

If it was me, I'm thinking all the required leads come up front. There
they
could be multiplexed by an appropraite analog to digital converter, read
by
your program and displayed by your program. If it was me, I'd do up the
drivers in assembler with the application in Visual Basic.

I prefer the look of guages on board ... okokok ... except for my
fishfinder
... I won't even consider a car that has a digital dash ... but I can see
that digital could be a cost saver.


"Paul" wrote in message
gers.com...
I've been wondering, what would be involved in having a computer
interpret
and display gauge readings.

By this I mean something such as having a laptop receiving inputs from
the
various gauge sending units such as oil pressure, engine temp etc. and
then
displaying them in some way.

I don't believe this is something I would actually do, it's just I was
on
a
long drive yesterday and it got into my head and I would really like to
figure it out.

I've googled unsuccessfully (I'm ashamed to admit) so if anyone can
point
me
in a direction ...

Computerized gauges
 

"bowgus" wrote in message
. rogers.com...
Maybe cruise on over to ... rec.boats.electronics ... and start a thread
there.

Thanks, that seems to have been a good idea.

Computerized gauges
 

"bowgus" wrote in message
. rogers.com...
Maybe cruise on over to ... rec.boats.electronics ... and start a thread
there.

Thanks, that seems to have been a good idea.

Computerized gauges
 

Arguably electronics can be made as reliable as anything else these
days, EXCEPT FOR LIGHTNING STRIKES. Reports here and on private lists
suggest that any "near" strike takes out about 90% of all electronics
around it. There are exceptions, but they are not consistent and most
people report all electronics on board get totaled, often right down to
and including the batteries.

For this reason, you may want to factor the possible loss of _all_
electronics into your systems planning. Hi-tec requires trade offs for
most of us: Eg. between time spent learning morse code or signal flags
and that needed for assembling hi-tech electronics; the money spent on
flares, fog horn, bells, and really good ground tackle as opposed to
that spent for digital equipment. Time sailing and learning boat
handling vs. time drawing up flow charts.

I would suggest that it's a mistake, from the standpoint of
seaworthiness, to put too many resources into hi-tec stuff if you short
change the equally expensive but less toy-like basics. And once you
acquire the basics, the hi-tec gizmos seem much less relavent or
important. Learning _and practicing_ good coastal navigation is not
trivial - but once you can do it, a GPS is optional. If you want hi-tec,
get radar - _then learn how to use it properly_. The latter is time
consuming and seriously non-trivial.

Rufus


Paul wrote:
I've been wondering, what would be involved in having a computer interpret
and display gauge readings.

By this I mean something such as having a laptop receiving inputs from the
various gauge sending units such as oil pressure, engine temp etc. and then
displaying them in some way.

I don't believe this is something I would actually do, it's just I was on a
long drive yesterday and it got into my head and I would really like to
figure it out.

I've googled unsuccessfully (I'm ashamed to admit) so if anyone can point me
in a direction ...

Computerized gauges
 

Arguably electronics can be made as reliable as anything else these
days, EXCEPT FOR LIGHTNING STRIKES. Reports here and on private lists
suggest that any "near" strike takes out about 90% of all electronics
around it. There are exceptions, but they are not consistent and most
people report all electronics on board get totaled, often right down to
and including the batteries.

For this reason, you may want to factor the possible loss of _all_
electronics into your systems planning. Hi-tec requires trade offs for
most of us: Eg. between time spent learning morse code or signal flags
and that needed for assembling hi-tech electronics; the money spent on
flares, fog horn, bells, and really good ground tackle as opposed to
that spent for digital equipment. Time sailing and learning boat
handling vs. time drawing up flow charts.

I would suggest that it's a mistake, from the standpoint of
seaworthiness, to put too many resources into hi-tec stuff if you short
change the equally expensive but less toy-like basics. And once you
acquire the basics, the hi-tec gizmos seem much less relavent or
important. Learning _and practicing_ good coastal navigation is not
trivial - but once you can do it, a GPS is optional. If you want hi-tec,
get radar - _then learn how to use it properly_. The latter is time
consuming and seriously non-trivial.

Rufus


Paul wrote:
I've been wondering, what would be involved in having a computer interpret
and display gauge readings.

By this I mean something such as having a laptop receiving inputs from the
various gauge sending units such as oil pressure, engine temp etc. and then
displaying them in some way.

I don't believe this is something I would actually do, it's just I was on a
long drive yesterday and it got into my head and I would really like to
figure it out.

I've googled unsuccessfully (I'm ashamed to admit) so if anyone can point me
in a direction ...

Computerized gauges
 

On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 13:06:46 GMT, "Paul" wrote:

I've been wondering, what would be involved in having a computer interpret
and display gauge readings.

For software see:

http://www.cruzpro.com/seaviz.html

and for hardware see the rest of the Cruzpro site as well. This
solution involves gauges that send NMEA sentences.

These are available from www.downwindmarine.com and (at better prices)
from www.discount-marine.co.nz

Best,

Steve

Computerized gauges
 

On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 13:06:46 GMT, "Paul" wrote:

I've been wondering, what would be involved in having a computer interpret
and display gauge readings.

For software see:

http://www.cruzpro.com/seaviz.html

and for hardware see the rest of the Cruzpro site as well. This
solution involves gauges that send NMEA sentences.

These are available from www.downwindmarine.com and (at better prices)
from www.discount-marine.co.nz

Best,

Steve

Computerized gauges
 

On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 13:06:46 GMT, "Paul" wrote:

I've been wondering, what would be involved in having a computer interpret
and display gauge readings.

By this I mean something such as having a laptop receiving inputs from the
various gauge sending units such as oil pressure, engine temp etc. and then
displaying them in some way.

I don't believe this is something I would actually do, it's just I was on a
long drive yesterday and it got into my head and I would really like to
figure it out.

I've googled unsuccessfully (I'm ashamed to admit) so if anyone can point me
in a direction ...


I'm not sure if you are talking about buying a solution or building
one. If it's the former, someone already mentioned CruzPro. Their
stuff looks nice, but I don't know anyone with personal experience
using it. If ibuilding a solution interests you...

I've talked to some engineer friends about designing the data capture
hardware and they say it could be done rather cheaply with off the
shelf parts. Serial and etherner driver chipsets are cheap, as are
analog to digital convertors. Something like a PIC processor should
handle assembling the data sentences easily. It's outside my current
area of expertise, though

The computer part is definitely doable, as you can see from my sig.
The software is hard to build form the ground up, but if architected
correctly, easy to extend to new instruments. For example, I can
generally turn around a request to support a new NMEA sentence in less
time than you'd believe. Adding a whole new guage takes a bit more
time, but is still not a big deal.

For engine instruments, I'd want to add more alarm functionality.
Using built in sound functionality in Windows would be easy, but I
think you'd really like an external alarm circuit with an annoying
piezo.

I already have the logging function, which to me would be the real
value of using a computer in this application. You could track
changes in things like oil pressure, fuel consumption at a given rpm,
water temp, and alternator output over time.

Of course, you could accomplish the same thing with mechanical
instruments and a logbook. Logbooks are known to be highly resistant
to lightning strikes and consume almost no power. :-)

__________________________________________________ __________
Glen "Wiley" Wilson usenet1 SPAMNIX at worldwidewiley dot com
To reply, lose the capitals and do the obvious.

Take a look at cpRepeater, my NMEA data integrator, repeater, and
logger at http://www.worldwidewiley.com/

Computerized gauges
 

On Tue, 25 Nov 2003 13:06:46 GMT, "Paul" wrote:

I've been wondering, what would be involved in having a computer interpret
and display gauge readings.

By this I mean something such as having a laptop receiving inputs from the
various gauge sending units such as oil pressure, engine temp etc. and then
displaying them in some way.

I don't believe this is something I would actually do, it's just I was on a
long drive yesterday and it got into my head and I would really like to
figure it out.

I've googled unsuccessfully (I'm ashamed to admit) so if anyone can point me
in a direction ...


I'm not sure if you are talking about buying a solution or building
one. If it's the former, someone already mentioned CruzPro. Their
stuff looks nice, but I don't know anyone with personal experience
using it. If ibuilding a solution interests you...

I've talked to some engineer friends about designing the data capture
hardware and they say it could be done rather cheaply with off the
shelf parts. Serial and etherner driver chipsets are cheap, as are
analog to digital convertors. Something like a PIC processor should
handle assembling the data sentences easily. It's outside my current
area of expertise, though

The computer part is definitely doable, as you can see from my sig.
The software is hard to build form the ground up, but if architected
correctly, easy to extend to new instruments. For example, I can
generally turn around a request to support a new NMEA sentence in less
time than you'd believe. Adding a whole new guage takes a bit more
time, but is still not a big deal.

For engine instruments, I'd want to add more alarm functionality.
Using built in sound functionality in Windows would be easy, but I
think you'd really like an external alarm circuit with an annoying
piezo.

I already have the logging function, which to me would be the real
value of using a computer in this application. You could track
changes in things like oil pressure, fuel consumption at a given rpm,
water temp, and alternator output over time.

Of course, you could accomplish the same thing with mechanical
instruments and a logbook. Logbooks are known to be highly resistant
to lightning strikes and consume almost no power. :-)

__________________________________________________ __________
Glen "Wiley" Wilson usenet1 SPAMNIX at worldwidewiley dot com
To reply, lose the capitals and do the obvious.

Take a look at cpRepeater, my NMEA data integrator, repeater, and
logger at http://www.worldwidewiley.com/

Computerized gauges
 

Hi Glen,

Actually I wasn't thinking of doing it at all, I was just noodling the
idea -- wondering about the "how". However if I were to do it I would build
it myself, and they would be in addition to standard gauges. The info I got
here is plenty to keep me going for a while now.

I also agree with the logbook preference, it's similar to a line I often
used in the office when everyone had PDAs. I used a notebook and a daytimer
and referred to them as analog assistants (PAAs?). They could survive a drop
from quite a height, never ran out of batteries and you could access any
data directly without having to deal with menus.

I'm not sure if you are talking about buying a solution or building
one. If it's the former, someone already mentioned CruzPro. Their
stuff looks nice, but I don't know anyone with personal experience
using it. If ibuilding a solution interests you...

Computerized gauges
 

Hi Glen,

Actually I wasn't thinking of doing it at all, I was just noodling the
idea -- wondering about the "how". However if I were to do it I would build
it myself, and they would be in addition to standard gauges. The info I got
here is plenty to keep me going for a while now.

I also agree with the logbook preference, it's similar to a line I often
used in the office when everyone had PDAs. I used a notebook and a daytimer
and referred to them as analog assistants (PAAs?). They could survive a drop
from quite a height, never ran out of batteries and you could access any
data directly without having to deal with menus.

I'm not sure if you are talking about buying a solution or building
one. If it's the former, someone already mentioned CruzPro. Their
stuff looks nice, but I don't know anyone with personal experience
using it. If ibuilding a solution interests you...

Computerized gauges
 

On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 21:01:29 GMT, "Paul" wrote:

Hi Glen,

Actually I wasn't thinking of doing it at all, I was just noodling the
idea -- wondering about the "how".

Better watch that. First, you have a random thought. Then you get
interested enough to look into it a bit. Next thing you know, it's an
obsession and you're spending all your free time making it happen.

Don't ask me how I know this. ;-)


__________________________________________________ __________
Glen "Wiley" Wilson usenet1 SPAMNIX at worldwidewiley dot com
To reply, lose the capitals and do the obvious.

Take a look at cpRepeater, my NMEA data integrator, repeater, and
logger at http://www.worldwidewiley.com/

Computerized gauges
 

On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 21:01:29 GMT, "Paul" wrote:

Hi Glen,

Actually I wasn't thinking of doing it at all, I was just noodling the
idea -- wondering about the "how".

Better watch that. First, you have a random thought. Then you get
interested enough to look into it a bit. Next thing you know, it's an
obsession and you're spending all your free time making it happen.

Don't ask me how I know this. ;-)


__________________________________________________ __________
Glen "Wiley" Wilson usenet1 SPAMNIX at worldwidewiley dot com
To reply, lose the capitals and do the obvious.

Take a look at cpRepeater, my NMEA data integrator, repeater, and
logger at http://www.worldwidewiley.com/

Computerized gauges
 

I will not do this project. I will not do this project. I will not do this
project. I will not do this project.

Well, at least not this week. :-)

Better watch that. First, you have a random thought. Then you get
interested enough to look into it a bit. Next thing you know, it's an
obsession and you're spending all your free time making it happen.

Don't ask me how I know this. ;-)

Computerized gauges
 

I will not do this project. I will not do this project. I will not do this
project. I will not do this project.

Well, at least not this week. :-)

Better watch that. First, you have a random thought. Then you get
interested enough to look into it a bit. Next thing you know, it's an
obsession and you're spending all your free time making it happen.

Don't ask me how I know this. ;-)

Computerized gauges
 

"Paul" wrote in message ogers.com...
I've been wondering, what would be involved in having a computer interpret
and display gauge readings.

By this I mean something such as having a laptop receiving inputs from the
various gauge sending units such as oil pressure, engine temp etc. and then
displaying them in some way.

I don't believe this is something I would actually do, it's just I was on a
long drive yesterday and it got into my head and I would really like to
figure it out.

I've googled unsuccessfully (I'm ashamed to admit) so if anyone can point me
in a direction ...

This depends a lot on the engine you have. Some modern engines have a
digital interface for getting this kind of data. All new cars have
this kind of featu http://www.obdii.com/

For odb-II you can built or buy a very cheap interface for a serial
port and even find some programs for displaing the data.

I thinh most EFI-engines will a have similar interface, but porbably
they will use proprietary protocol, which might be hard to figure out.

If yours does not have any of these, you have two approaches:

1. Use the sensors the engine all ready have.

2. Install your own sensors.


In the first approach the problem is to find out the measuring
principle of each sensor. Also the typical sensors used are quite
inaccurate. You probably need an A/D converter, which can be bought as
an card to your computer (expensive), as a separate chip (5 $) or as
integral part of a microcontroller (AVR, PIC etc 5-20 $). The accuracy
you can get is probably ~10%.

In the second approach you can choose better and more easily
interfaced sensors. You can find cheap digitally interfaced sensors
for pressure, temperature etc., which can be directly connected to
parrallel or serial port, but I would recommed using a
microcontroller, which can collect all the data and even store it and
then send it to your PC via serial line. With this approach you can
get accuracy of 0,1-1%, depending on the sensors you choose.

I have built a weather station and an altmeter using Atmet AVR
AT90S8535 processors (www.atmel.com). The barometric pressure is 1
mbar (0,1%) accurate and temperatures are displayd with 0,01 C
resolution (0,2 C accuracy). All the data (including wind speed and
direction) is stored to non-volatile memory every 10 minutes for a
month. I can then read the data to PC once a month. All data (also
logged) can be viewed from an LCD-display or sent online to PC. The
cost of the equipment withou wind sensors was less than 50 $, but took
a lot of free time.

Next project I'm planing is an battery monitor, which displays the
voltage of the batteries as well as the current from each battery.
Current would be measured from the voltage drop of earth cables (max
+- 0,1 V) with a 24-bit A/D converter. Current could be then measured
fom a few mA to 200 A in both directions with accuracy of ~1% of the
reading. After this it would be easy to calculate how many Ah is
put/taken from/to each battery. This system will cost ~30 $.

Joakim

Computerized gauges
 

"Paul" wrote in message ogers.com...
I've been wondering, what would be involved in having a computer interpret
and display gauge readings.

By this I mean something such as having a laptop receiving inputs from the
various gauge sending units such as oil pressure, engine temp etc. and then
displaying them in some way.

I don't believe this is something I would actually do, it's just I was on a
long drive yesterday and it got into my head and I would really like to
figure it out.

I've googled unsuccessfully (I'm ashamed to admit) so if anyone can point me
in a direction ...

This depends a lot on the engine you have. Some modern engines have a
digital interface for getting this kind of data. All new cars have
this kind of featu http://www.obdii.com/

For odb-II you can built or buy a very cheap interface for a serial
port and even find some programs for displaing the data.

I thinh most EFI-engines will a have similar interface, but porbably
they will use proprietary protocol, which might be hard to figure out.

If yours does not have any of these, you have two approaches:

1. Use the sensors the engine all ready have.

2. Install your own sensors.


In the first approach the problem is to find out the measuring
principle of each sensor. Also the typical sensors used are quite
inaccurate. You probably need an A/D converter, which can be bought as
an card to your computer (expensive), as a separate chip (5 $) or as
integral part of a microcontroller (AVR, PIC etc 5-20 $). The accuracy
you can get is probably ~10%.

In the second approach you can choose better and more easily
interfaced sensors. You can find cheap digitally interfaced sensors
for pressure, temperature etc., which can be directly connected to
parrallel or serial port, but I would recommed using a
microcontroller, which can collect all the data and even store it and
then send it to your PC via serial line. With this approach you can
get accuracy of 0,1-1%, depending on the sensors you choose.

I have built a weather station and an altmeter using Atmet AVR
AT90S8535 processors (www.atmel.com). The barometric pressure is 1
mbar (0,1%) accurate and temperatures are displayd with 0,01 C
resolution (0,2 C accuracy). All the data (including wind speed and
direction) is stored to non-volatile memory every 10 minutes for a
month. I can then read the data to PC once a month. All data (also
logged) can be viewed from an LCD-display or sent online to PC. The
cost of the equipment withou wind sensors was less than 50 $, but took
a lot of free time.

Next project I'm planing is an battery monitor, which displays the
voltage of the batteries as well as the current from each battery.
Current would be measured from the voltage drop of earth cables (max
+- 0,1 V) with a 24-bit A/D converter. Current could be then measured
fom a few mA to 200 A in both directions with accuracy of ~1% of the
reading. After this it would be easy to calculate how many Ah is
put/taken from/to each battery. This system will cost ~30 $.

Joakim