Digital Gauge Solutions

[wasabi]

Hi All

So I've been on the lookout for some sort of digital gauge solution (Think something along the lines of the R35 GTR or new WRX). Main reason for this is I'd really like to get a double din screen for better iPod control & a few niceties like Satnav.

Seem to be a number of ODBII options out there, but given I've got a stand alone ECU, I'm not sure what compatibility will be like OR if it will even give me the information I require. I will be testing my mates ECU Datascan product soon, but not overly confident in it's abilities

For those that are interested, I'm wanting water temp, oil temp, oil pressure & boost.

Haven't been able to locate something that specifically can run into an AV input, but came across these 2 x Defi products today which are getting there:

http://www.defi-shop.com/products/advan ... ummary_zd/

http://www.defi-shop.com/products/smart ... art_adp_w/

The first one to me seems like it could be a good option. Could mount on the top of the steering column for motorsport events & just remove for street use - Assuming the necessary wires are easy to unplug / hide of course.

Wondering if any one has had any experience with these products or anything else that may fulfill my requirements

Cheers

[Lokiel]

I don't know of any standalone ECUs that support OBDII so forget aboout those options.

You need to see what digital display is supported by your ECU and use that.

[wasabi]

^^^

Unsure how to obtain that sort of information. Having a Haltech ECU, I know that have a number of race dash solutions, but that doesn't suit my purposes given that running that sort of thing on the street is rather illegal Any feed back of items that may be compatible with my ECU (Haltech Elite 1500) would be greatly appreciated of course

Seems that Defi ZD product does everything I need EXCEPT I found out it cannot do boost pressure

[ManiacLachy]

The Elite 1500 was put on the Haltech site today, says it's ODB II cabable ...

OBDII Capable – Set and clear diagnostic trouble codes, view live engine data

http://www.haltech.com/elite-1500-features-and-pricing/

I'm quite interested in this ECU, and it's what I'm considering getting when I'm ready to step up. Also interested in how you get on Wassabi, it'd be nice to have diagnostic data displayed on a double din screen, rather than in gauge pods.

[wasabi]

^^^

Well if you get one of the Elite 1500's, you'll have a little bit of my car on there as my car was used to set the base maps for the SE's

As far it's this ECU's ability to use OBDII, I suspect it means it can clear fault codes etc in the same way as stock ECU... But I will investigate that one a little further as Haltech may have a Motec type info display (Not dissimilar to the Defi ZD I posted) in the pipeline which would potentially solve all my issues.

Glad to see someone else shares my thoughts on being able to do away with traditional gauges / gauge pods. In this day & age given that it's standard equipment is some cars, you would think the option would be there... Whether it's affordable is a whole different issue! Have to admit, if there was more space in my little MX & if I wasn't reluctant to drill holes in the dash, I'd probably go a more conventional gauge option.

[Magpie]

How is an IQ3 dash illegal on the streets? It can do an odometer and what else does a dash need to be street legal?

[beavis]

Your hard part is interfacing with the ECU.

you might have to make yourself some sort of serial connected smart device (like an arduino) which can interface to any other display device (like an android tablet)

[Magpie]

There is an Arduino CAN module that you could use as the interface.

[bruce]

It would be a lot easier to ring haltech and ask them these questions.

[wasabi]

I'm going to get in touch with Haltech tomorrow if time permits to get a bit more info about this OBDII stuff - Has come up in another thread also specifically about the Elite 1500 ECU. Will also test the ECU Datascan on the weekend to see what (If any) info I may be able to get out of it.

How is an IQ3 dash illegal on the streets? It can do an odometer and what else does a dash need to be street legal?

I've been told that those items are illegal. Even been told that things like EL Dials (Which I don't think exist anymore) are illegal... It's something do to with the fact the odometer can be potentially played with.

I don't necessarily agree with it, it's just what I've been told... If the IQ3 dash is legal & can display the correct odometer reading & provide a trip computer or two (IE: What the stock cluster does) then I'll be all over it

[greenMachine]

My Haltech PS1000 works just great with my Racepak logger dash (as did its predecessor E6), running on CANBUS with an a/d box for a few extra sensors that my old E6 couldn't handle. If you buy right it comes with the right software for a Haltech CANBUS, otherwise you need an interface.

I don't know about the legality side of things for dashes, but if you are running an aftermarket ECU this shouldn't be a problem ... just do a nice clean install and all is good Officer

I know the Racepak will do odo and speedo, and of course lots of sensor outputs, not sure what else you want for a road car. You don't want OBDII as the data rate is very slow - CANBUS is the go.



ETA: Talk to Haltech, they should be able to tell you about how many odos it can run, etc. Talk to Mr Mortlock about the legalities, he is sure to know.

[JayMo]

Bit left field... but a JVC/Kenwood head unit with a matching iphone, blue tooth ODBC adapter and the dash command app



http://www3.jvckenwood.com/english/car/applink/

The lightning connector units have just come out, but have no idea if all the stars align... I got three quarters of the way there with a 2013 model JVC head unit, then work swapped out 4s for 5s, so i never got to use in anger...

might work, but you would have to research if you can get the outputs you want

[rossburns]

I love the stock gauges, to me they suit the car, but I am thinking of doing this

[ManiacLachy]

I too see Revlimiter guages in my future, for my main dials, I'm thinking Warbird with a coloured tach.

For me, digital details on things like (real) oil pressure, oil temp, (real) coolant temp, etc would be nice to have available when needed, but if the display could double as my head unit the rest of the time that'd be awesome. Like the GTR does

[Magpie]

The problem is with having the stuff on your head unit is that you have to look down at them, they are not in your peripheral vision and therefore you could miss important warning signs. If going for a head unit type display consider some discrete warning lights on the dash for oil/water temp and oil pressure plus even a coolant flow piezo/alarm as this will be your signal to look at the gauge.

If you go for an intergrated dash/ecu (Motec, Haltech, Aim) then the display gets the data via the CAN and there is no need to add aditional sensors. However, the ECU or the CAN needs to be provided with fuel level, speed and other sensor data that is your unique to your dash. For a car without an electronic speed sensor on the gearbox you will need to install something (Terratrip) to get an electronic signal to your ECU. The Terratrip part works as this is what was used on mine, bonus is that the manual speedo cable is retained in case the stock dash needs to go back in.

From the IQ3 manual
Odometer Input Channel
If you would like to enable the odometer function, you must first define the speed channel used to calculate the distance traveled. You must remember that if you select GPS speed, the odometer will only be functional when the IQ3 has acquired three or more satellites.

Whilst I have not looked at other dash functions, the IQ3 has 4 warning lights and each of these can be programmed based on a single sensor or more, example

Warning Channel One: Oil Pressure below 30 PSI
Text Above Warning Channel One: OIL
Warning Channel Two: Engine RPM above 1000
Text Above Warning Channel Two: TACH
Text To Display When Warning Values Are Met: Oil P

As said I can alwayd goes back to stock as I do like my Revlimiter custom guage faces and I think that I will miss them to be honest. But I have not dríven the car in 4 months now