Digital dashboard

G

Geocacher

Guest
Wanting to build a digital dashboard for my old vehicle which is currently
being rebuilt.

Most indicators will be bargraph (LM3914) but I am having difficulty coming
up with a decent design for a digital speedo (plus odometer).
I don't want to go the micro-processor route.

One solution that came to mind was using a F/V converter feeding a 3.5 digit
LED (LCD) display, fed from a sensor on the prop shaft.

Anyone got any better ideas? Or can someone point me to a web site where
there may be info?
Thanks
 
" Geocacher" <gps@tohf.net> wrote in message
news:dggins$2i$1@ctb-nnrp2.saix.net...
Wanting to build a digital dashboard for my old vehicle which is currently
being rebuilt.

Most indicators will be bargraph (LM3914) but I am having difficulty
coming
up with a decent design for a digital speedo (plus odometer).
I don't want to go the micro-processor route.

One solution that came to mind was using a F/V converter feeding a 3.5
digit
LED (LCD) display, fed from a sensor on the prop shaft.

Anyone got any better ideas? Or can someone point me to a web site where
there may be info?
Thanks


You could search on 'digital speedo'. Comes up with the likes of:
Click to expand...
http://martybugs.net/electronics/speedo.cgi

Ken
 
Hunt down an old VK Calais dash, was a digital dash, and very well done ..
you could adapt its circuitry to a lot of what you need..


" Geocacher" <gps@tohf.net> wrote in message
news:dggins$2i$1@ctb-nnrp2.saix.net...
Wanting to build a digital dashboard for my old vehicle which is currently
being rebuilt.

Most indicators will be bargraph (LM3914) but I am having difficulty
coming up with a decent design for a digital speedo (plus odometer).
I don't want to go the micro-processor route.

One solution that came to mind was using a F/V converter feeding a 3.5
digit LED (LCD) display, fed from a sensor on the prop shaft.

Anyone got any better ideas? Or can someone point me to a web site where
there may be info?
Thanks
Click to expand...
 
" Geocacher" <gps@tohf.net> wrote in message
news:dggins$2i$1@ctb-nnrp2.saix.net...
Wanting to build a digital dashboard for my old vehicle which is currently
being rebuilt.

Most indicators will be bargraph (LM3914) but I am having difficulty
coming up with a decent design for a digital speedo (plus odometer).
I don't want to go the micro-processor route.

One solution that came to mind was using a F/V converter feeding a 3.5
digit LED (LCD) display, fed from a sensor on the prop shaft.

Anyone got any better ideas? Or can someone point me to a web site where
there may be info?
Click to expand...
**I guess what amuses me the most with all this digital dashboard stuff, is
the enormous (and I do mean ENORMOUS) amount of trouble auto manufacturers
are now going to, in order to make all the digital instruments appear like
analogue ones. It would seem to me, that if the analogue stuff is in place,
then use it. Just a thought.
 
On Sat, 17 Sep 2005 10:04:32 +0200, " Geocacher" <gps@tohf.net> put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Wanting to build a digital dashboard for my old vehicle which is currently
being rebuilt.

Most indicators will be bargraph (LM3914) but I am having difficulty coming
up with a decent design for a digital speedo (plus odometer).
I don't want to go the micro-processor route.
Click to expand...
I would think it would be difficult to implement a "digital" odometer
without using a micro. AFAICS, you'll need an EEPROM for storage and
some way to write to it.

One solution that came to mind was using a F/V converter feeding a 3.5 digit
LED (LCD) display, fed from a sensor on the prop shaft.

Anyone got any better ideas? Or can someone point me to a web site where
there may be info?
Thanks
Click to expand...
I have a digital instrument cluster from an old XD Fairlane. It uses a
vacuum fluorescent display. The odometer data is stored in EEPROM.

-- Franc Zabkar

Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.
 
"Trevor Wilson" <trevor@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote in message
news:432d1be6@news.comindico.com.au...
" Geocacher" <gps@tohf.net> wrote in message
news:dggins$2i$1@ctb-nnrp2.saix.net...
Wanting to build a digital dashboard for my old vehicle which is
currently being rebuilt.

Most indicators will be bargraph (LM3914) but I am having difficulty
coming up with a decent design for a digital speedo (plus odometer).
I don't want to go the micro-processor route.

One solution that came to mind was using a F/V converter feeding a 3.5
digit LED (LCD) display, fed from a sensor on the prop shaft.

Anyone got any better ideas? Or can someone point me to a web site where
there may be info?

**I guess what amuses me the most with all this digital dashboard stuff,
is the enormous (and I do mean ENORMOUS) amount of trouble auto
manufacturers are now going to, in order to make all the digital
instruments appear like analogue ones. It would seem to me, that if the
analogue stuff is in place, then use it. Just a thought.
Click to expand...
Analogue instruments cost more , usually a lot more to manufacture
today.

Don't need many skilled workers to make the digital versions
a few developers then unskilled labour for the rest.

Cheaper to emulate using a micro and an lcd/led screen.
Use the one control board across their whole range of cars.

Also reduce the number of boards / assemblies / parts
on the dash.

For existing cars would be cheaper to stick with analogue
if the car is already analogue.
 
"Alex Gibson" <news@alxx.net> wrote in message
news:3p6grnF8sr85U1@individual.net...
"Trevor Wilson" <trevor@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote in message
news:432d1be6@news.comindico.com.au...

" Geocacher" <gps@tohf.net> wrote in message
news:dggins$2i$1@ctb-nnrp2.saix.net...
Wanting to build a digital dashboard for my old vehicle which is
currently being rebuilt.

Most indicators will be bargraph (LM3914) but I am having difficulty
coming up with a decent design for a digital speedo (plus odometer).
I don't want to go the micro-processor route.

One solution that came to mind was using a F/V converter feeding a 3.5
digit LED (LCD) display, fed from a sensor on the prop shaft.

Anyone got any better ideas? Or can someone point me to a web site where
there may be info?

**I guess what amuses me the most with all this digital dashboard stuff,
is the enormous (and I do mean ENORMOUS) amount of trouble auto
manufacturers are now going to, in order to make all the digital
instruments appear like analogue ones. It would seem to me, that if the
analogue stuff is in place, then use it. Just a thought.

Analogue instruments cost more , usually a lot more to manufacture
today.
Click to expand...
**Not my point.

Don't need many skilled workers to make the digital versions
a few developers then unskilled labour for the rest.
Click to expand...
**And again.

Cheaper to emulate using a micro and an lcd/led screen.
Use the one control board across their whole range of cars.
Click to expand...
**Not under discussion.

Also reduce the number of boards / assemblies / parts
on the dash.
Click to expand...
**Debatable.

For existing cars would be cheaper to stick with analogue
if the car is already analogue.
Click to expand...
**Exactly!


--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au
 
Didn't the old Holdel Calais have an all electronic dashboard?

Also why not see if you can find one from a wreckers (assuming
you can) and retrofit the instrument cluster and sensors?

We had a Fairmont Ghia with electronic speedo and computers
for everything except the fuel gauge and tachometer which for some
oddball reason was analogue.......

Cost half what the car is worth to replace too
 
Franc Zabkar wrote:

On Sat, 17 Sep 2005 10:04:32 +0200, " Geocacher" <gps@tohf.net> put
finger to keyboard and composed:

Wanting to build a digital dashboard for my old vehicle which is currently
being rebuilt.

Most indicators will be bargraph (LM3914) but I am having difficulty coming
up with a decent design for a digital speedo (plus odometer).
I don't want to go the micro-processor route.

I would think it would be difficult to implement a "digital" odometer
without using a micro. AFAICS, you'll need an EEPROM for storage and
some way to write to it.

One solution that came to mind was using a F/V converter feeding a 3.5 digit
LED (LCD) display, fed from a sensor on the prop shaft.

Anyone got any better ideas? Or can someone point me to a web site where
there may be info?
Thanks

I have a digital instrument cluster from an old XD Fairlane. It uses a
vacuum fluorescent display. The odometer data is stored in EEPROM.
Click to expand...

Any chance of pics of the boards / layouts?
 
On Mon, 19 Sep 2005 03:51:05 GMT, "Trevor Wilson"
<trevor@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote:

"Alex Gibson" <news@alxx.net> wrote in message
news:3p6grnF8sr85U1@individual.net...

"Trevor Wilson" <trevor@SPAMBLOCKrageaudio.com.au> wrote in message
news:432d1be6@news.comindico.com.au...

" Geocacher" <gps@tohf.net> wrote in message
news:dggins$2i$1@ctb-nnrp2.saix.net...
Wanting to build a digital dashboard for my old vehicle which is
currently being rebuilt.

Most indicators will be bargraph (LM3914) but I am having difficulty
coming up with a decent design for a digital speedo (plus odometer).
I don't want to go the micro-processor route.

One solution that came to mind was using a F/V converter feeding a 3.5
digit LED (LCD) display, fed from a sensor on the prop shaft.

Anyone got any better ideas? Or can someone point me to a web site where
there may be info?

**I guess what amuses me the most with all this digital dashboard stuff,
is the enormous (and I do mean ENORMOUS) amount of trouble auto
manufacturers are now going to, in order to make all the digital
instruments appear like analogue ones. It would seem to me, that if the
analogue stuff is in place, then use it. Just a thought.

Analogue instruments cost more , usually a lot more to manufacture
today.

**Not my point.
Click to expand...
Quote

**I guess what amuses me the most with all this digital dashboard stuff,
is the enormous (and I do mean ENORMOUS) amount of trouble auto
manufacturers are now going to, in order to make all the digital
instruments appear like analogue ones.
Click to expand...
Well no need to be amused anymore :)


Don't need many skilled workers to make the digital versions
a few developers then unskilled labour for the rest.

**And again.


Cheaper to emulate using a micro and an lcd/led screen.
Use the one control board across their whole range of cars.

**Not under discussion.


Also reduce the number of boards / assemblies / parts
on the dash.

**Debatable.


For existing cars would be cheaper to stick with analogue
if the car is already analogue.

**Exactly!
Click to expand...
 
I understood the old Calais dash was notoriously unreliable. If
you buy the American Magazines "Hot Rod" or "Car Craft" you will
find adverts for after market suppliers of digital
instruments.eg:
http://www.dakotadigital.com/hr





--
Regards
Blue

Remove Z from email address to reply directly.
 
The retro universal kit looks good
http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm?ptype=article&article_id=9

--
Regards
Blue

Remove Z from email address to reply directly.
 
On Mon, 19 Sep 2005 13:43:58 +0930, Kissing Lettuce
<sittingbythepool@internode.on.net> put finger to keyboard and
composed:

Franc Zabkar wrote:

I have a digital instrument cluster from an old XD Fairlane. It uses a
vacuum fluorescent display. The odometer data is stored in EEPROM.


Any chance of pics of the boards / layouts?
Click to expand...
It's an assembly. I'll need to dismantle it before you can see
anything useful. I have VDO's pinout but no info other than that.
IIRC, it incorporates a 12V-50V DC-DC converter. Give me some time and
I'll post the pix on my web space.

-- Franc Zabkar

Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.
 
On Mon, 19 Sep 2005 12:41:44 GMT, "aussieblu"
<zaussiblu@bigpond.net.au> wrote:

The retro universal kit looks good
http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm?ptype=article&article_id=9
Click to expand...
When I had my breif attempt at doing the endeavour rally, i used 2 vk
calais' retrofitted with the motec ignition systems and the motec
digital dash. Worked a treat.

This is not the unit we used, but http://www.motec.com.au/adl2.htm
looks neat. The stuff they sell now is much better than what was
available back when i was in the market.
 
On Tue, 20 Sep 2005 07:02:18 +1000, Franc Zabkar
<fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> put finger to keyboard and composed:

On Mon, 19 Sep 2005 13:43:58 +0930, Kissing Lettuce
sittingbythepool@internode.on.net> put finger to keyboard and
composed:

Franc Zabkar wrote:

I have a digital instrument cluster from an old XD Fairlane. It uses a
vacuum fluorescent display. The odometer data is stored in EEPROM.


Any chance of pics of the boards / layouts?

It's an assembly. I'll need to dismantle it before you can see
anything useful. I have VDO's pinout but no info other than that.
IIRC, it incorporates a 12V-50V DC-DC converter. Give me some time and
I'll post the pix on my web space.
Click to expand...
Here are the hi-res pix:

http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/dash_front.jpg (1.5MB)
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/dash_rear.jpg (1.7MB)

It looks like there are two SMPS and two mask ROMmed CPUs.

-- Franc Zabkar

Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.
 
Franc Zabkar wrote:

On Tue, 20 Sep 2005 07:02:18 +1000, Franc Zabkar
fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> put finger to keyboard and composed:

On Mon, 19 Sep 2005 13:43:58 +0930, Kissing Lettuce
sittingbythepool@internode.on.net> put finger to keyboard and
composed:

Franc Zabkar wrote:

I have a digital instrument cluster from an old XD Fairlane. It uses a
vacuum fluorescent display. The odometer data is stored in EEPROM.


Any chance of pics of the boards / layouts?

It's an assembly. I'll need to dismantle it before you can see
anything useful. I have VDO's pinout but no info other than that.
IIRC, it incorporates a 12V-50V DC-DC converter. Give me some time and
I'll post the pix on my web space.

Here are the hi-res pix:

http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/dash_front.jpg (1.5MB)
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/dash_rear.jpg (1.7MB)

It looks like there are two SMPS and two mask ROMmed CPUs.

-- Franc Zabkar
Click to expand...



Thank you for that.. I love pulling stuff like this apart if it doesn't
work any more.....

Am looking to find a broken or non working video camera to
have a fiddle with.

What kind of places might sell that?
 
"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> wrote in message
news:77fuj1p17frimsimo09e87amh5ojaalu0k@4ax.com...
On Tue, 20 Sep 2005 07:02:18 +1000, Franc Zabkar
fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> put finger to keyboard and composed:

On Mon, 19 Sep 2005 13:43:58 +0930, Kissing Lettuce
sittingbythepool@internode.on.net> put finger to keyboard and
composed:

Franc Zabkar wrote:

I have a digital instrument cluster from an old XD Fairlane. It uses a
vacuum fluorescent display. The odometer data is stored in EEPROM.


Any chance of pics of the boards / layouts?

It's an assembly. I'll need to dismantle it before you can see
anything useful. I have VDO's pinout but no info other than that.
IIRC, it incorporates a 12V-50V DC-DC converter. Give me some time and
I'll post the pix on my web space.

Here are the hi-res pix:

http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/dash_front.jpg (1.5MB)
http://www.users.on.net/~fzabkar/dash_rear.jpg (1.7MB)

It looks like there are two SMPS and two mask ROMmed CPUs.

-- Franc Zabkar

Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.
Click to expand...
I worked on these little beasties as part of my final-year engineering
thesis project way back in 1986!

A small EMC problem that Ford were having with those new-fangled
electronic instrument clusters.

Never thought I'd see one of those again - except for the one I have
sitting here in my office.
 
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