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Just trying to gather opinions on how to get robust configurable gauges for less than race-quality prices. Then eventually provide feedback on how the path I chose works out for those that may be in a similar situation.
Here's my quick history of gauge cluster situation. Bought a Racepak IQ3s (it was awesome! but didn't give enough data over CAN to be worth the cost) -> needed money for V8 swap, sold IQ3s to Aidan (he then figured out how to get more inputs over CAN) -> couldn't justify buying new IQ3s again so I made a Raspberry Pi screen setup (looked really awesome, had integrated LED's and stuff) -> sold RPi setup to friend because he finished his build before me and I can easily replicate the setup, also made profit -> not sure if RPi is a robust solution -> trying to find alternate solution that's not as much as an IQ3s. I could afford an IQ3s if it provides real justification over anything else, but I'm also trying to finish a big build... and save for a house. This is an LS swap using Megasquirt, and I'm trying to not use any factory gauges. I want to integrate everything where the cluster went, so the only way to reuse stock gauges (like fuel level) would be if I remove the gauge from the cluster and mount it to a flat panel. I'd rather just not use any stock gauges.
Basically, I really like the RPi solution, but there's some things I don't like that I'm starting to consider potential deal breakers. It connects via tunerstudio, which means if you want to connect a laptop or tablet you cannot use the RPi... so if you want to see gauges while tuning you have to tune from the RPi. RPi screens likely aren't vibration/shock rated and definitely aren't weather protected. Powering the RPi isn't ideal, there is a "car switch" but it still doesn't seem like a robust solution. Boot time is slow (or was when I last messed with it, I think the new software is a lot faster). Unsure about visibility in day time.
For what I am using the car for, I'm thinking that having robust gauges for speed/tach/warning lights is necessary, then using a separate smaller RPi/tablet/phone/CAN gauge for being able to display other stuff would be a cheap way to have access to all data. Say that secondary gauge setup is a phone running RealDash, if the phone runs out of battery, I would still have speed, tach, and warning lights to drive the vehicle with confidence.
Primary Gauge(s):
I found there's a big market for motorcycle gauges that are very reasonably priced. For example: https://kosonorthamerica.com/shop/mo...unction-meter/ This gets speed from what I assume is a hall sensor (I think it's a 3-wire based on kinda funky directions) which is a signal that can be replicated by an MS output (with pull-up), and it has an odometer (doesn't have to be DOT approved or anything, just for maintenance intervals). Tach should be able to be fed from MS TACHOUT. Turn signals and high beam indicator should be plug and play (polarities match up to factory wires), which is important because this car will be driven on the street, which is why the IQ3s was the perfect solution. Fuel level is a simple 1-wire resistance which is user configurable. It has warning lights that will be outputs from MS. They also have various models with mechanical tach's and such. Typical crotch-rocket and side by side stuff.
PerfectTuning gauge is very attractive that it's plug and play with Megasquirt, communicates over CAN so it can be active while tuning on separate device, has 3 extra inputs (which isn't all that important because I also have a JBPerf CAN-EGT+). It's a little more spendy than I'd want ideally, but combined with the Koso gauge above is still half the cost as the IQ3s with essentially the same (if not more) functionality. Koso gauge $150 + CAN gauge $275 = $425 IQ3s=$1000
Raspberry Pi setup probably won't work well in this situation. The 7" screen fits perfectly in plate in stock cluster location, but would not leave room for the Koso gauge. A 3.5" screen is likely way too small to be useful as a "computer". A super wide screen would probably work to stack above/below the Koso gauge, but also wouldn't pair well with a computer environment, if they even make screens like that. Koso gauge $150 + RPi setup ~$180 = $330
Small tablet or large phone may do the trick for cheap. My friend is trying out a tablet, powering the tablet with a battery bank, then charging the battery bank with a standard USB outlet for 12V input. I'm not sure if that's the right solution, or if it would be to power straight from vehicle ignition power, and root the phone so it can turn off when power is removed and vice versa. This gauge doesn't need to be on and ready to go, since the Koso gauge provides enough data to drive the vehicle. RealDash also looks like an app that's super cool for gauges. Seems similar to ShadowDash (since it's only a gauge display) but with a bunch more features. Gauges look a lot better, and it has an integrated lap timer. Koso gauge $150 + Moto G (something similar that's rootable) ~$100 = $250
I run a 2013 nexus 7 tablet and shadow dash MS. I’m using a combination Timurs ROM, a kernel hack and tasker to manage startup and shutdown, I love it. I had it all setup on a dash bracket I made, and was busy integrating it into the cluster when we found the house of our dreams and dropped everything to move. I even did some custom dash work in photoshop, and it’s turned out really sweet. The only issue is on super hot days the tablet won’t boot until air is circulating in the interior. I’m hoping a PC fan behind the tablet will solve that issue.
There is supposed to be a new version of MSdroid coming too with more customization support that I contributed some artwork to. Hopefully it will be awesome.
I can dig up some pics later.
Was your 2013 Nexus 7 able to run forever? I'm was using the older version and keeping the battery topped off was a pain in the ***. Race weekend were fine, but a DE would kill it before the end of the day, even if I charged between sessions. I had an OTG cable that supplied power, but it didn't seem that the table was able to actually charge from it. For the dash itself I ran Shadow Logger MS. Bluetooth performance was lackluster with a lot of hesitation, and it's not allowed in my rulebook anyhow.
Was your 2013 Nexus 7 able to run forever? I'm was using the older version and keeping the battery topped off was a pain in the ***. Race weekend were fine, but a DE would kill it before the end of the day, even if I charged between sessions. I had an OTG cable that supplied power, but it didn't seem that the table was able to actually charge from it. For the dash itself I ran Shadow Logger MS. Bluetooth performance was lackluster with a lot of hesitation, and it's not allowed in my rulebook anyhow.
yes it stays at 100% battery. Have a 3 amp 12v Power supply and OTG Y cable. You can’t charge with an OTG cable without kernel mods. Timurs rom will do it, and Elemental X kernel with the OTG charge option will do it. Mine is setup to shut the screen off after a few seconds of ignition cut, and power off completely after 5 minutes making battery drain 0.
timurs rom has an option to go into sleep ignition cut but it never worked well for me.
I just broke down and grabbed a 2013 off ebay. I should have done it years ago. Ignition cut isn't a problem since this is a race car, I can leave the USB circuit on by itself. Good to know it all does actually work though.
I've also used a bluetooth GPS module for speed, but VSS is better in tunnels and under bridges and stuff, otoh I hate the big speedometer cable. I want to use ABS sensors and the JBperf IO module... Also I use bluetooth to connect to the MS and it's quite stable, but I still want to use USB once I get the right FTDI cable
I don't believe that's possible unless you have CAN pass through to a Microsquirt.
I think that's a deal breaker for me. What do you do while tuning? Do you use the tablet for tuning? Or do you just drive without gauges while a laptop is connected?
I think that's a deal breaker for me. What do you do while tuning? Do you use the tablet for tuning? Or do you just drive without gauges while a laptop is connected?
I have everything dialed in pretty much. Any tuning I do will just be off logs I upload from the tablet. If I want to tune from the tablet, I'll just use the GPS speedometer. Can't use it and tune at the same time.
02-01-2018, 05:44 PM
Budget Robust Gauges
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