OBD2 displays

[track_addict]

Hi guys,

So I want to monitor my engine parameters in my SE and dont want to fill my interior with gauges. So I've discovered the bluetooth adapters to go in the OBD2 port and then download an app on my phone to display the data. I really like this idea but just want to see if anyone else has gone down the same path? If so, did you just get an ebay adapter and what app do you have?

I've seen the $20-30 adapters on ebay, up to the PLX system (which looks good but 5x the cost). I've had a poke around youtube to see videos of different apps. Dashcommander and Torque Pro seem to be the standouts to me. Has anyone had any experience with either of these?

I want to able to datalog for track days and if possible, have warnings if pressures and temps exceed their limits. But I might be a bit far ahead of myself on that last one as I haven't seen any apps list this in there features.

Hears a quick link to the PLX page. Also lists a bunch of apps.

http://plxdevices.com/product_info.php?id=GSSTBLUETOOTH

Cheers,

Ash.

[david_syd_au]

I have been using one of these for a year or so:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ELM327-OBD2-V1-5-Car-Bluetooth-Diagnostic-Interface-/260935358215?ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:AU:3160

along with Torque Pro on an Android tablet or phone.

The bluetooth adaptor has work fine in the 3 cars I have tried.

[track_addict]

Great. Thanks mate!

[davekmoore]

Does this mean that instead of a bunch of gauges you could just add an iPad and some kind of mounting system?

[david_syd_au]

Does this mean that instead of a bunch of gauges you could just add an iPad and some kind of mounting system?

Yes, although it would depend upon:
1. A suitable app being available for your chosen flavour of tablet to display the gauges. I know that Torque for Android does provide a gauge display, but know nothing about apps for iThingies, and
2. Your car provides the necessary data fields via OBDII for your selected gauges. For example, you could only have an oil pressure gauge if your car provides that data via OBDII.

It should be possible to learn which fields your car supports via an internet search, or if it is an MX-5, a suitable post here will likely elicit an answer from someone with the same model.

[Lokiel]

The only real useful day-to-day information the OBDII port supplies that is not already displayed by the stock instrument cluster is a REAL water temperature reading (as opposed to the dummy reading reported by our water temperature gauge).

There are no oil pressure/temperature or boost readings available (your stock oil pressure gauge is a dummy gauge too, it doesn't represent the actual oil pressure; the car doesn't actually have a real oil pressure sensor so it can't be reported as OBDII data).

For track days I like to use Torque to log RPM, TPS and Engine Load which are available via the OBDII port so that I can overlay it onto my Contour GPS track video.

See my Garage thread (search for "PLX") to see a PLX multi-gauge solution. This is expensive. If you can wait a few months, one of the guys I'm working with will have a MUCH cheaper and easier-to-install multi-gauge solution that will be capable of logging.

[fastfreddygassit]

Hey Ash,
I fitted a scangauge (http://www.scangauge.com) to my SE



The only parameters (there are a few available) I measure are:
Intake air temp
fuel consumption/economy
water temperature
and sometimes revs or ignition timing or speed for the 4th slot.

This unit logs my chosen parameters for the current day, previous day, and current tank of fuel.
I like the fuel computer function (current economy, distance until empty, average speed etc).

If I was going to change my head unit then I'd go for one of the BT OBD2 adapters and use a pioneer 2din head unit to display parameters.
IIRC Juicy HiC is running a set-up like this.
As simon said above, the stuff you really want, like boost and oil pressure aren't available.

You could do what Stuart has done to Minx though you obviously don't have data logging with this

[track_addict]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Obviously the main ones I want are boost, water/oil temps and pressure, but the more data the better. One thing I need to consider is that I'll be getting a standalone (adaptronic/megasquirt 3) at some point next year.

Lokiel: I've seen your PLX gauge install and really like the functions but I cant see a good spot to mount the gauge and the associated components. I don't want to use an eyeball vent for the gauge since I don't like the idea of blocking off a vent. I also don't want to fill the glove box with the components to run the system since I put so much crap in there haha. Having said all that, I'm keen to see what you and your friend come up with.

FFG: I have seen the scan gauge but haven't looked into it much since I was going to go down the bluetooth adapter path. I might still go down there just to have SOME parameters. After all its only $30 to gain some helpful data. I've considered changing the headunit to an android tablet and running a setup like some guys on CR.net have done, since its a really good idea having all your music, radio, display and possibly data stored in one spot. But I don't really want to do a set up like MINX at this stage.

[Roadrunner]

Iv got the kiwi wifi2 unit running through dash command on my iphone)
I also happen to have a pioneer headunit with appradio so I can display the info on the headunit. It's great, very intergrated and almost real time refresh, but you would only want to display slow moving gauges on it as the headunit is mounted quite low in your field of view.
If you can mount a tablet on your two centre vents, that would be perfect.
I plan on getting some plx modules with the kiwi adaptor so oil pressure temp etc can be on he headunit. I also recommend a boost gauge where your oil pressure dummy gauge is (using a led light as low pressure warning atm)
I'm also getting soon a plx AFR dm6 gauge combo but this will be mounted somewhere up high as that would just be dangerous trying to watch AFRs on the pioneer screen whilst driving.

[Magpie]

You could look at Defi http://www.defi-shop.com/products/advance_zd/summary_zd/ instead of the PLX



If you are planning to use something to 'monitor' the engine whilst on the track you need something in your peripheral vision. Having the guages too low down means that you will not be looking at them and miss any warnings (I have done that and blew a motor up due to oil temp). Similar to Josh's comment about watching AFR's, however it maybe better to log AFR's and review then in the safety of your arm chair and not the drivers seat...

[track_addict]

Thanks Josh and Magpie for the replies.

I do plan on removing the false oil pressure gauge for a boost gauge. I think its a very intergrated position for it and wont get me into trouble. Im also going to do the linear temperature gauge mod so I dont need a seperate water temp gauge. Warning lights are a good idea too. Didn't think of that.

Do you have a Defi unit magpie? Was it easy to install? What I'd like to have in the end is a set up that has warning lights for all the important pressures and temps, on/around the cluster area to make them easily seen and the ability to log the rest, so I can have a quick look in the pits if needed, as well as at home.

I was just thinking of the OBD adapter as a short term and cheap way around getting the parametres displayed and once I have a stand alone get a bit more serious with the set up.

I can see this getting out of hand* and expensive very quickly haha.





*Stack dash....

[Lokiel]

:
I also recommend a boost gauge where your oil pressure dummy gauge is (using a led light as low pressure warning atm)
:

+1

See the "'95MSM Boost Gauge Mod" at http://www.mazda-speed.com/forum2/index.php/topic,13678.0.html

A very wise man in that thread stated:

"I love this mod, it puts the boost gauge right where Mazda SHOULD have put one in the first place!"

[Roadrunner]

A very wise man in that thread stated:

"I love this mod, it puts the boost gauge right where Mazda SHOULD have put one in the first place!"

[/quote]

Haha he's also very helpful with information when your halfway through cutting up a $200 gauge and freak out

[Magpie]

Do you have a Defi unit magpie?

No sorry, I have gone down the path of Innovate guages and data logging, however I did consider the Defi very early on as it looked a very neat solution, however no data logging features.

Expensive and out of hand, yes I can confirm this point.

I have 2 warning lights. 1 warning light (and 120 db alarm) for no coolant flow and a single warning light for water/oil temp over 120 deg C. This is a neat simple solution and once the alarm light goes off then I look at the guages. The no coolant flow alarm can be heard with a helmet on so there can be no excuse.

I posted this in another thread
These cost about $40 each for a pressure or oil temp or water temp alarm from http://www.racerindustries.com.au/afawcs0161689/CATID=247/Warning-Lights.html

[Roadrunner]

I'll post up a photo of the dashcommand setup when I get home to give you an idea of what it looks like on the pioneer headunit etc if you like?
I designed a few of my own custom "Dashskin" through dashcommands SkinXL program that showed the important gauges plus as big of an AFR gauge I could fit (in anticipation of future purchase of PLX modules etc) but its just way too low in the field of view, so will only use slow moving gauges there.
Its near impossible to even just watch what your timing is doing when accelerating. Just dangerous.