Sensors for Automobile Computers?

Bombcar asks: "I'm going to be installing an EPIA mainboard in my car, using a DC-DC power supply. It is mainly for playing music, but it has the potential for so much more. I know I can get LCD displays, and I know that various sensors are made for automobiles, but I want to combine both these with the computer. Most car sensors are analog, so does anyone know of an easy way to interface with analog (and perhaps some digital) sensors? Anything used would have to be able to stand up to the rigors of automobile use. The EPIA board has 4 serial ports, a parallel port, and some USB ports, along with a PCI slot. I plan to use this for display purposes only (not control any important vehicle functions), but am also leaning towards some 'fun' improvements, such as playing certain songs when the pedal is floored."

Comments

look here

[austad]

Search the mailing list archives at dsm.org. I seem to remember some people talking about this, specifically, someone had found a small box that plug in via USB if I remember right, and it had like 24 analog inputs and 8 digital. I think there were even linux drivers for it.

Additionally, if you're car is OBDII compliant, you could order a cable and use FreeDiag to pull the information. All of those sensors feed back to your car's computer anyway, why try to duplicate the data collection functionality when it's already there. Plus, you won't have to worry about skewing the signals received by your ECU when you start tapping wires into things. You won't have to worry about finding the specs on each sensor either (like 0-1 volts == 0-1200 degrees)

I was considering doing a similar thing to you awhile back, and freediag seems like the best way to collect this data. If you manage to get something working, you should start a sourceforge project for it. I'd definitely be willing to contribute.

Also, a couple of years ago, some company came out with an 8" TFT touchscreen that plugged in via USB. They had released a driver for linux that allowed you to run an X-server on it. It was $300 or so. Does anyone remember the name of this thing? It would make an excellent display to mount in the dash.

Try the superbird

[gmhowell]

Given the choice, I'd rather have the Superbird. The Charger was a bit of barely functional body kit. The Superbird, while superficially similar, was quite a different beast under the hood.

Unfortunately, NASCAR, yet again, buried their heads in their ass and banned wing cars. Can't have the MOPAR crowd beating up on GM too much. These are the same asshats who got hemi headed engines and OHC engines banned. And hence we have the technological backwater that is NASCAR. Way to go.

Lots of Sensors from OBD-II

[mcowger]

All cars produced after 1996 are required to support something called OBD-II (On Board Diagnostics II). This is the computer that causes your check engine light to come on, and its the computer that reports to the mechanic what the cause is. You can buy interfaces for this system that lets you monitor all sorts of engine sensor data, as well as things like throttle position, calculated load, etc. There are plenty of companies thats make serial interfaces to this system....www.digimoto.com is one that I like. Even cooler, the law requires that the port be accesssible within 3 feet from the driver!