Message Center for my Accord [Archive] - 3geez.com - Classic Honda Accord & Prelude Forum

Buzo

03-20-2012, 03:39 PM

This new project can be utilized in any of our cars that have an ECU, either carbed or FI.

In my case, I will use the engine signals as read by the Megasquirt controller and will use the display to keep track in real time of the most important ones, like Engine Speed, MAP, Coolant Temp, O2, etc. But combined with my OBDZ it could be adapted to any 3geez.

I added a couple of buttons in the PCB to be able to scroll up and down through all the available readings.

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/451/lcdview.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/812/lcdview.jpg/)

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/8373/pcbview.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/341/pcbview.jpg/)

Buzo

03-20-2012, 04:19 PM

As background I need to say that this is intended to give some intelligence to the megasquirt. So it will blink or do something if a value gets out of specification. It's going to be like the CEL light.

Why...? Why not?

Well, the truth is that the other day during an experiment with my setup, the MAP hose got accidentally disconnected and I got a failure where my car was slightly shaking and lost some power, but it was firing up and running acceptable good. It was until I got my fuel tank emptied in 1/3 of the expected mileage when I realized how bad it was.

Of course I first blamed the changes I was making to my car and had to reverse everything, and it was until I hocked my computer to the car that I saw the MAP was reading nothing. Then I said, if I had this display thing telling me the readings I would avoid the extra work I did to catch the failure.

But besides that, a CEL light for my car has always been in my to do list. Its time to get it done!

2ndGenGuy

03-20-2012, 04:38 PM

Fucking awesome! Can't wait to see this in action!

87roach

03-20-2012, 08:14 PM

So cool man, I am looking forward to this too!

2drSE-i

03-22-2012, 07:25 AM

Ok, I've got to ask. What do you do for a living?

2ndGenGuy

03-22-2012, 11:15 AM

I'd say electrical engineer...

cygnus x-1

03-22-2012, 08:32 PM

Well, the truth is that the other day during an experiment with my setup, the MAP hose got accidentally disconnected...
...until I hocked my computer to the car that I saw the MAP was reading nothing. Then I said, if I had this display thing telling me the readings I would avoid the extra work I did to catch the failure.

Why don't you just drive around with a laptop in the passenger seat like most MS users? :confused: Isn't that why we have cars; so we can drive around tuning them all the time? What else would they be for? :thumbup:

You know what you should do for this display though, is use the CANbus to communicate with the MS instead of the serial port. This way you don't have to unplug the display to tune with the laptop. Some sort of auxiliary display is on my extended TODO list for the MS. Either that or just replace the entire gauge cluster with a couple of small netbook type color LCDs run by a carputer. This way I could build a totally custom dash in TunerStudio and use that instead of the regular gauges. Too many other things to finish first though.

C|

ShyBoyCA6

03-22-2012, 08:45 PM

obdriver6

03-23-2012, 11:37 PM

You keep amazing me with these project, I can't wait to see it finished.

Ok, I've got to ask. What do you do for a living?

I'm wondering the same thing.

Buzo

03-28-2012, 11:33 AM

Ok, I've got to ask. What do you do for a living?

I'd say electrical engineer...

I am electrical engineer with a lot of spare time.

I ran the first test in the car, and currently I get only the raw data from the MS to my LCD, so I'm in the process of converting that raw data to a human readable values.
I'll be on vacation from work during the whole Easter's week, so I should be able to complete this project by then and post the pics of the progress.

Buzo

03-28-2012, 11:45 AM

you know this lil project doesn't sound bad. i wonder if it could work with the knock sensor. that would be awesome to have and i would like to purchase one if ya make more with how to's, wouldn't hurt to have a display for every CEL we get and plus we won't have to type in the search anymore for fixes haha. im guessing it has its own board? or is gonna be hooked up in the ecu?

It has its own board and microprocessor, and when I had the stock ECU in my carbed car I put a splice in every cable going to the ECU, then I was using the laptop to log all the solenoids in action during my daily trips.

In a FI car it would be something similar, counting the times the CEL blinks and converting it to the corresponding text would be an *easy* task for this board.

Could you please tell me more about your knock sensor idea?

Buzo

03-28-2012, 12:12 PM

Why don't you just drive around with a laptop in the passenger seat like most MS users? :confused: Isn't that why we have cars; so we can drive around tuning them all the time? What else would they be for? :thumbup:

You know what you should do for this display though, is use the CANbus to communicate with the MS instead of the serial port. This way you don't have to unplug the display to tune with the laptop. Some sort of auxiliary display is on my extended TODO list for the MS. Either that or just replace the entire gauge cluster with a couple of small netbook type color LCDs run by a carputer. This way I could build a totally custom dash in TunerStudio and use that instead of the regular gauges. Too many other things to finish first though.

C|

I consider my car is better tuned now, so I plug the laptop less and less often every day. And also its not only a pain to plug it every time, but unplug it and put it into the trunk if you stop in a store. They use to break the windows of the car if they see an unattended laptop in the seat.

So this display is only a way to see how things are moving under the hood, I like your idea of a 7" LCD also, I will start with this one to practice the data conversion and see what else can be done from there.

cygnus x-1

03-29-2012, 09:23 AM

I consider my car is better tuned now, so I plug the laptop less and less often every day. And also its not only a pain to plug it every time, but unplug it and put it into the trunk if you stop in a store. They use to break the windows of the car if they see an unattended laptop in the seat.

So this display is only a way to see how things are moving under the hood, I like your idea of a 7" LCD also, I will start with this one to practice the data conversion and see what else can be done from there.

Yeah, I wouldn't leave a laptop in the car unattended either. Learned that lesson the hard way.

I wish I could find a fairly cheap 7" display that has a regular VGA or HDMI input.

C|

ecogabriel

04-01-2012, 07:03 AM

I like what you are doing man!

I have been thinking on a device like the one in the link (below)

http://www.colven.com.ar/productos.asp?pid=23&lang=2

A "brain" that stops the engine when temperature or oil pressure go beyond safe levels would be very nice for those who suffer "dashboard blindness" (a.k.a. women)

Buzo

04-04-2012, 06:54 AM

After (almost) completing an extensive honey-do-list in my vacation, I am ready to install the message center in the car.

I have two minor issues with communicating with both, MS and the Display.

1) MS.- it sometimes don't respond to the initial request for data. I need to plug it and unplug it, but once it starts up OK, the stream of data is constant.

2) Display.- If I command it to go to a "X" line and put it in a loop, 99% of the time it will go to the "X" line, but 1% will go some other place.

Everything else, including the proper unit conversions are done. I'll say the only problem is that you see the data scrambled in the display from time to time, and returning to normal.

I have been escaping from my assignments at home to work in this project, but I believe I will have more time starting today to fix above issues and try it in the car.

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/4682/msgcenter.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/835/msgcenter.jpg/)

Buzo

04-04-2012, 07:23 AM

Yeah, I wouldn't leave a laptop in the car unattended either. Learned that lesson the hard way.

I wish I could find a fairly cheap 7" display that has a regular VGA or HDMI input.

C|

There is a third option, convert from S-video to the RCA type of input.
I have a Dell laptop with this port, and I have used it before for my karaoke :rockon: but I can't find the little cable to give it a try. I'd use my portable 7" LCD screens. Oh shut, I should put more attention to your project, It looks more promising than my little 4x20 LCD.

cygnus x-1

04-04-2012, 08:47 AM

There is a third option, convert from S-video to the RCA type of input.
I have a Dell laptop with this port, and I have used it before for my karaoke :rockon: but I can't find the little cable to give it a try. I'd use my portable 7" LCD screens. Oh shut, I should put more attention to your project, It looks more promising than my little 4x20 LCD.

The 4 line display is cool if you just want to monitor a few parameters and don't want to take up much space.

I did find this though:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824185013&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Monitors+-+LCD+Flat+Panel-_-DoubleSight-_-24185013

It's a 7" USB driven display. It doesn't require any external power or other signals besides the USB. And you can use more than one! I also figured out that two of these side by side is just about a perfect fit in the gauge cluster in my Prelude (obviously they would need custom mounting and such). I bet they would fit in the Accord cluster as well. It's a bit pricey but not bad considering what you get.

C|

A18A

04-04-2012, 10:40 PM

that's awesome. I want one for my car! a little screen like that would be better than a bunch of big bulky gauges

cygnus x-1

04-05-2012, 07:48 AM

The tuning program for Megasquirt lets you create you own customized dash displays. Look here to see what people have created:

http://msextra.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=122&t=36862

C|

Buzo

04-06-2012, 08:02 AM

The tuning program for Megasquirt lets you create you own customized dash displays. Look here to see what people have created:

http://msextra.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=122&t=36862

C|

I read the thread, its very interesting! I liked the one that put the LCD behind the original instrument cluster.

I found my S-Video cable adapter and this is the preliminary result. A bigger resolution screen may be needed. Or I'll try to put a couple of indicators only and a lot of numeric indicators.

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/2387/dash1f.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/535/dash1f.jpg/)

Buzo

04-06-2012, 08:10 AM

And from my LCD project, this is the result so far. I made the PCB too big but I can still cut the edges.

The MAP reading is not changing, so I need to ask in the MS forums which is the real variable for the MAP. I also want to include the O2 reading instead of the advance.

http://img864.imageshack.us/img864/6475/installed1.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/864/installed1.jpg/)

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/897/installed2.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/708/installed2.jpg/)

Buzo

04-06-2012, 06:36 PM

All the readings got fixed and properly scaled, including the MAP and O2, which were the main goals of this project.
I will go to the YJ tomorrow and see if I can find a couple of things, one center console to fit my Message Center and hide my MS, and a spare Cluster Instrument so I can start playing with the 7" LCD.

Now that I learned how MS outputs the data through the RS232 port I could use the official MS software, (but I don't want to pay for the full version...) or create my own digital display things using LabView, for free.

For now this project has been completed. I put the display in a project box and I need to paint it gray or black and install it somewhere in the center console.

The box got almost the size of the MS itself, so if I can't get a center console I am thinking in separating the PCB from the Display and put the PCB inside the Instrument Panel and run the connector for the display to somewhere besides the cruise control sw.

What is the advantage of this 4x20 LCD vs the 7" LCD? well... this one is computer-less & therefore 300 USD cheaper.

Buzo

04-06-2012, 09:26 PM

that's awesome. I want one for my car! a little screen like that would be better than a bunch of big bulky gauges

Hey, you just gave me a great idea! I will install the LCD in the same place other guys put their boost gauges, between the windshield and the driver's window. I'll see what I can build tomorrow with a dremel and some epoxy.

Wait until this is finished and then, if you still want one I can build it for you. Something that you just connect to the ECU wires you want to monitor, including the CEL light and it will decode the failure for you.

89HatchbackLxi

04-07-2012, 08:08 AM

Hey, you just gave me a great idea! I will install the LCD in the same place other guys put their boost gauges, between the windshield and the driver's window. I'll see what I can build tomorrow with a dremel and some epoxy.

Wait until this is finished and then, if you still want one I can build it for you. Something that you just connect to the ECU wires you want to monitor, including the CEL light and it will decode the failure for you.

I want one too!

Buzo

04-07-2012, 09:58 AM

I created a couple of extra screens where a horizontal bar is filled in proportion to the value of the MAR, RPM, TPS, etc.

I changed my mind on the location as you can see, but I still would like to somehow blend it to the Instrument Panel.

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/133/finish1p.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/593/finish1p.jpg/)

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/8155/finish2f.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/840/finish2f.jpg/)

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/1284/finish3b.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/820/finish3b.jpg/)

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/6980/finish4.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/27/finish4.jpg/)

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/379/finish5q.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/841/finish5q.jpg/)

FresnoCA5

04-07-2012, 10:11 AM

that's pretty cool. :)

A18A

04-07-2012, 04:05 PM

sweeet. are those RPMs more accurate than the stock tach?

Buzo

04-07-2012, 05:18 PM

A short video to show it in operation.

http://youtu.be/56e4pC-gKj8

At this time I already covered the display with some black foamy, so the green PCB around it can't be seen anymore and added a "switching menu" message when the button is pressed to switch from the numeric to the graphic modes.

I already drove the car using the display, it looks pretty nice and its easy to read, even in the busy numeric mode. I love it!

Buzo

04-07-2012, 05:21 PM

sweeet. are those RPMs more accurate than the stock tach?

Absolutely, this is a digital processed signal, and not analog like our stock tachometers.

Buzo

04-09-2012, 07:47 PM

...I will go to the YJ tomorrow and see if I can find a couple of things, one center console to fit my Message Center and hide my MS, and a spare Cluster Instrument so I can start playing with the 7" LCD...

I found a center console but its very different to mine. It has the cup holders, but the opening where the shift goes, is wider than mine.

Has somebody tried to adapt this center console and what was the result?

If somebody tells me it is possible, I need to come back to the YJ and buy the parking brake part since i only got the front side today.

5 or 6 3geez where there before, only one remains in the yard today, the rest of them have been send to scrap which sounds weird to me, I though the YJ was the final destination for these cars, but I was wrong.

It didn't have the dash anymore, so my 7" LCD needs to wait a little bit.

lostforawhile

04-09-2012, 09:14 PM

I found a center console but its very different to mine. It has the cup holders, but the opening where the shift goes, is wider than mine.

Has somebody tried to adapt this center console and what was the result?

If somebody tells me it is possible, I need to come back to the YJ and buy the parking brake part since i only got the front side today.

5 or 6 3geez where there before, only one remains in the yard today, the rest of them have been send to scrap which sounds weird to me, I though the YJ was the final destination for these cars, but I was wrong.

It didn't have the dash anymore, so my 7" LCD needs to wait a little bit.
post pictures of it

2ndGenGuy

04-09-2012, 09:16 PM

Killer work! Love the little display!

AccordB20A

04-09-2012, 10:43 PM

good work

Hazwan

04-11-2012, 03:48 AM

Have you considered building a CarPC for it?

Awesome work BTW!

Buzo

04-11-2012, 06:09 AM

Have you considered building a CarPC for it?

Awesome work BTW!

Thanks! I would like to have a car PC and monitors instead of the stock instruments, but the only thing that stops me is that I'm deciding if I would prefer to learn linux, Mac, or any other SO from scratch, or take the risk and run under windows :).

89HatchbackLxi

04-11-2012, 10:20 AM

Thanks! I would like to have a car PC and monitors instead of the stock instruments, but the only thing that stops me is that I'm deciding if I would prefer to learn linux, Mac, or any other SO from scratch, or take the risk and run under windows :).

You're obviously really good with electronics... Any chance you would ever make a HUD system for your accord? ;)

cygnus x-1

04-11-2012, 01:03 PM

Thanks! I would like to have a car PC and monitors instead of the stock instruments, but the only thing that stops me is that I'm deciding if I would prefer to learn linux, Mac, or any other SO from scratch, or take the risk and run under windows :).

I totally want a carputer instead of using my netbbook for tuning. Here's one option I'm considering:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856119050

It doesn't come with RAM or storage (HD) but a 4gig memory stick is $20. And if you run Linux you can use an SD card or even a USB flash drive for booting and storage. Unfortunately a couple 7" displays will cost more than the computer. :hmph:

C|

cygnus x-1

04-20-2012, 08:49 AM

Just found this for cheap 7" VGA screens:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370605664896?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

This is easily the best deal around.

C|

Hazwan

04-20-2012, 09:02 AM

Just found this for cheap 7" VGA screens:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370605664896?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

This is easily the best deal around.

C|

Woah that is cheap. Mine died few weeks back (N) and I really miss it :(

Also, try to stay away from Windows if you can ;)

cygnus x-1

04-20-2012, 10:00 AM

Woah that is cheap. Mine died few weeks back (N) and I really miss it :(

Also, try to stay away from Windows if you can ;)

My main computer has to run run Windows 7 for CAD/CAM stuff. My file server and netbook run Linux though. I intend to run Linux on the carputer (some day) as well. My MediaPC is still running XP, and I should probably upgrade it soon. Thing is, Netflix refuses to support Linux (because Netflix uses MS Silverlight :banghead:), and Netflix is the primary reason for the MediaPC. So I'm stick with Windows something or other.

C|

2ndGenGuy

04-20-2012, 10:17 AM

Buzo

04-21-2012, 09:03 PM

Have been busy experimenting with alphanumeric and graphic displays.

Here is an example of my last Display design. This one is almost twice the size of my first LCD. I am looking for the right size, color and form. Still not satisfied.

I have three Graphic LCDs more to experiment with and I will select one or two to put them in place of my Dashboard.

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/173/vfdn.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/585/vfdn.jpg/)

Buzo

04-23-2012, 07:30 AM

Just found this for cheap 7" VGA screens:

Damn, that IS a deal. :jaw:

The Graphic LCDs I have are about 2"x5" (160X64 pixels) and another 4"x4" (128X128 pixels). I checked their cost online, ~160 USD.
The VFD in the below post is 86 USD and it's only 4x20 characters.

So whatever 7" LCD in that price is a bargain.

I got mines in an electronic equipment's junkyard and what I like about them is that they need to be driven with a microprocessor, so no OS involved but low-level programming.

Thanks for the link. I'll try to get one of those VGA as well.

Buzo

04-23-2012, 07:06 PM

Here is the LCD already working. I have two of this model so I can put them in two rows or whatever.

I added the check mark only to show that it can display some graphs too and not only characters.

It will look like an old video game (asteroids?) haha, but at least it has very good image even in the direct sunlight.

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/7434/newlcdt.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/192/newlcdt.jpg/)

87roach

04-24-2012, 06:40 PM

Awesome! Great work.

89HatchbackLxi

04-24-2012, 09:58 PM

Buzo

04-25-2012, 05:47 AM

You're obviously really good with electronics... Any chance you would ever make a HUD system for your accord? ;)

I just googled for HUD system. A few years ago I built a wall projector using a 7" LCD that turned into a 100" image projection in the wall. So, I do have some experience working with lenses and light.

What I need to do is to get a smaller display (the one from my old sony handycam perhaps?), remove the backlight and use a 250 W light plus the proper lenses. The windshield could be a nice screen if I add some tint to it.

But before going there, what I am going to do is to mount my LCD lying flat in the dashboard, so I will see a 1-1 mirror image of the display reflected in the windshield. I believe that I can do something to write from left to right to the LCD (like making my own set of characters that will be the mirror version of the standard ones).

Oh my! I guess I just got a new project for this car!

87roach

04-25-2012, 07:53 AM

Man, some really cool ideas you're bringing up! I am looking forward to seeing what you end up doing.

2ndGenGuy

04-25-2012, 09:21 AM

I know that when you buy those aftermarket HUD kits, a lot of them come with a little piece of square plastic that you stick on the windshield to help the display show up. Lots of times during the daylight, the regular windshield glass just isn't quite good enough. Factory cars that have HUDs often have a different windshield with a special coating for the HUD as well.

89HatchbackLxi

04-25-2012, 09:58 PM

I just googled for HUD system. A few years ago I built a wall projector using a 7" LCD that turned into a 100" image projection in the wall. So, I do have some experience working with lenses and light.

What I need to do is to get a smaller display (the one from my old sony handycam perhaps?), remove the backlight and use a 250 W light plus the proper lenses. The windshield could be a nice screen if I add some tint to it.

But before going there, what I am going to do is to mount my LCD lying flat in the dashboard, so I will see a 1-1 mirror image of the display reflected in the windshield. I believe that I can do something to write from left to right to the LCD (like making my own set of characters that will be the mirror version of the standard ones).

Oh my! I guess I just got a new project for this car!

Alright! I can't wait to see how it turns out! I've always loved the HUD type of setup in cars.

obdriver6

04-30-2012, 06:52 PM

Great work and I would love to see an HUD in our cars!

Buzo

05-06-2012, 09:14 AM

Making this GLCD work took me long time, but here it is finally acopled to the MS.
I removed the very first LCD I uploaded in this thread because it has no backlight, then I put the Vacuum Fluorescent Display but it can't be seen under direct light of sun, so I finally found this one that meets all my expectations.

There is still a lot to do with it. I found a website where they have all the routines I was trying to reinvent, they even have a graphical application that makes the LCD look like a windows application (with its limited resolution of course) Menu, all kind of graphs, fonts, etc.

I will switch my processor type because PICs haver very limited memory space, so need to learn the new AVR type but it will pay back very soon.

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9906/glcd.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/208/glcd.jpg/)

87roach

05-07-2012, 11:27 AM

Where did you find this display?

It's good to hear you found something to do most of what you want!

ChaseR

05-07-2012, 07:09 PM

http://www.hispeedchase.com/nbp/hybrid/07APR12/11.jpg

I have something like this for my android tablet in my Hybrid... I also use it for the Si,.

Buzo

05-08-2012, 07:46 PM

http://www.hispeedchase.com/nbp/hybrid/07APR12/11.jpg

I have something like this for my android tablet in my Hybrid... I also use it for the Si,.

This is great! Similar dashes can be created using the Megasquirt's Tuning Software, but the problem we are facing is how to permanently install your LCD in the car. a 7" is too small and a 13" is too big.

Buzo

05-08-2012, 07:55 PM

Where did you find this display?

It's good to hear you found something to do most of what you want!

I became a LCD-maniatic. So I often visit the electronic equipement junkyards and if i see any equipment with any type of LCD, I buy it. I have like 4 types of LCDs waiting to be tested, besides the ones I presented here already.

cygnus x-1

05-08-2012, 10:05 PM

This is great! Similar dashes can be created using the Megasquirt's Tuning Software, but the problem we are facing is how to permanently install your LCD in the car. a 7" is too small and a 13" is too big.

The native resolution on a 7" is pretty low, but I think some of them do their own rescaling. I need to get a couple of those ones I posted above to mess with.

BTW, you're going to love the AVR MCUs. Those things are amazing for how little they cost.

C|

Buzo

05-12-2012, 08:05 AM

A few pictures of the final installation of my message center. I screwed it up when cutting center hole in the foam, but I can fix it later. I actually plan to machine a metal cover for the display.

I took some plastic from the center console i bought and didn't fit my car, so it matches the color of my instrument panel.

The exterior pic is hard to see due to the reflection of the light but paying some attention it looks like another instrument cluster.

I confess I borrowed the Idea from an Audi car I saw while parking in a store.

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/6867/imagen320.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/600/imagen320.jpg/)

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/6397/imagen325pa.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/195/imagen325pa.jpg/)

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/5383/imagen323.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/442/imagen323.jpg/)

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4591/imagen326s.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/341/imagen326s.jpg/)

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7599/imagen325c.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/20/imagen325c.jpg/)

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/9229/imagen317n.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/339/imagen317n.jpg/)

catalin

07-08-2012, 10:10 PM