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-   MEGAsquirt (https://www.miataturbo.net/megasquirt-18/)
-   -   Shadow Dash MS for Android (https://www.miataturbo.net/megasquirt-18/shadow-dash-ms-android-68849/)

Bryce 11-06-2012 06:48 PM

Question about the bluetooth adapter:

Under normal operation, is the Power LED constant on? Currently, both LEDs do a short blink every .5 seconds. It appears to be dead to the world. Tried single press and double press on the reset button.

jnshk 03-31-2013 04:16 PM


Originally Posted by Reverant (Post 937755)
FYI the serial cable can be quite a bit longer than 15 feet.


Originally Posted by shuiend (Post 938560)
At the megameet in 2010 we hooked up a 50+ foot serial cable between an MS and a laptop and we had no problems with communication.

I know this is a bit of a thread-resurrection, but can anyone comment with experience on this? I keep reading elsewhere that Phil recommends only using very short cables, so would the issue of length change when using the particular BlueTooth unit, or is it a case of advising to "use the shortest length necessary" being distorted into "use only short cables!" ? Has anyone used a 10 or 15 foot cable with Shadow Logger or Shadow Dash and had any problems?

Reverant 04-01-2013 04:02 AM

Back in the days where I was a sysadmin, I had a 50ft+ serial cable from my terminal to a PBX for management. It worked everytime without a single problem.

One thing to note: it was a true serial cable, not a usb converter. The problem with most USB converters is that the conversion circuit is inside the serial connector, which means that all the lead is actually USB-level (5V) signal, which is prone to interference. Serial is -12 to +12, so a 24V differential signal, which is quite immune to noise.

jnshk 04-02-2013 09:00 PM

Awesome. If it works well on the short extension, I'll order a longer one so that I can locate the bluetooth unit in a safer/permanent location. Thanks for the info!

hustler 05-29-2013 10:09 AM

Is anyone running 4.2.2 and having problems with GPS MPH? I get GPS MPH once, then it reads zero until I uninstal, install, and run again. Other GPS applications still work, even the Ulysses spedometer.

bearda 05-29-2013 07:31 PM


Originally Posted by Reverant (Post 996262)
Back in the days where I was a sysadmin, I had a 50ft+ serial cable from my terminal to a PBX for management. It worked everytime without a single problem.

One thing to note: it was a true serial cable, not a usb converter. The problem with most USB converters is that the conversion circuit is inside the serial connector, which means that all the lead is actually USB-level (5V) signal, which is prone to interference. Serial is -12 to +12, so a 24V differential signal, which is quite immune to noise.

It sounds like you're confusing rs422 with rs232. Normal rs232 isn't differential, not with 3 (5 with handshaking) wires.

Ben 05-29-2013 07:58 PM


Originally Posted by bearda (Post 1016390)
It sounds like you're confusing rs422 with rs232. Normal rs232 isn't differential, not with 3 (5 with handshaking) wires.

I don't think he meant differential transmission. He was trying to explain why RS232 has a greater potential ability to not have issues with noise as compared with USB.

RS232 has a 'dead zone' of -3VDC to +3VDC where any signal inside this range is 'indeterminate' and ignored, so a lot of noise is simply ignored. IIRC, USB works in the .5V range, so it is more likely to confuse noise with data transmission.

Impuls 06-02-2013 12:19 AM

Is the fix for fitment still just a serial cable or has anyone used a spacer perhaps?

I've had my Bluetooth adapter since my MS but with the fitment I never wanted to run it since I need to back out the nut so much and have the ECU just drooping there.

I hate my Serial > USB adapter. I have to completely restart my computer while I leave my MS on before I can connect. This is 2013?! WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR SHIT TO WORK.

I really want to run my phone for showdowMS though since I need to run it for GPS speed anyone since I have a 6 speed with some shit speedo sensor in it. (Doesn't read speed)

shuiend 06-02-2013 03:19 AM


Originally Posted by Impuls (Post 1017293)
Is the fix for fitment still just a serial cable or has anyone used a spacer perhaps?

I've had my Bluetooth adapter since my MS but with the fitment I never wanted to run it since I need to back out the nut so much and have the ECU just drooping there.

I hate my Serial > USB adapter. I have to completely restart my computer while I leave my MS on before I can connect. This is 2013?! WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR SHIT TO WORK.

I really want to run my phone for showdowMS though since I need to run it for GPS speed anyone since I have a 6 speed with some shit speedo sensor in it. (Doesn't read speed)

For the serial -> USB adapter which one do you have? Is it the one that DIYAutoTune sells? If not then you need to buy that one. That one with good drivers should fix your connection problem.

Does the speedometer in the gauge cluster work?

You can also try out the MSdash app from the Play store. I believe that has USB support if your phone has USB OTG.

Impuls 06-02-2013 04:07 AM


Originally Posted by shuiend (Post 1017317)
For the serial -> USB adapter which one do you have? Is it the one that DIYAutoTune sells? If not then yo to buy that oneat one with good drivers should fix your connection problem.

Does the speedometer in the gauge cluster work?

You can also try out the MSdash app from the Play store. I believe that has USB support if your phone has USB OTG.

No the serial >Usb I bought from a local tiger direct.
I didn't want to wait for shipping for the one from diy

No the speedo gauge doesn't work. The previous owner had some universal sensor in the 6 speed I got from him(the gauge worked fine with the 5speed) no matter how it's wired the gauge doesnt work.

I don't think galaxy 3s is usb otg.

botbullet0 06-02-2013 07:52 PM

I'm definitely looking forward to using this when I get my megasquirt in!

MoonieGT 02-27-2014 12:24 AM

The 15 feet thing people keep mentioning is a USB cable limitation. Old school serial should work over much longer distances as mentioned several times.


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