45 replies to this topic

[gerits]

I had about the same idea for my dashboard, the only difference is that I've never worked with arduino... A few different items I'll be doing is keep my dashboard original and build a hidden docking system for my android phone...

I have a few questions for you though:
- How is the process going, any updates?
- How are you going to play music? Are you going to plugin a audio cable or do you have a separate radio?

I had the plan to use the Google Android ADK (Accessory Development Kit), so I can plug in my android phone via USB and get my info from the car through here and play my music via the USB cable (don't know yet if that's possible..)

Greetings
Ruben

[RobWill116]

Any updates?

[Rocan]

yeah, any updates? this is very cool. Curious how you will get the gauges to hook up quickly; seems it might be a pain getting the arduino to sync up with the device right away.

Also, what are you doing as far as amplification?

[Ethel]

I missed this topic, it's worthy of a bump.

Hall effect speedo drivers have been discussed before on TMF. People have stuck magnets to pot joints and mounted them through rear brake back plates. There are some cable options too Terratrip produce adapters that run in line with the mechanical cable. I used one of these by making an adapter with the alloy threaded collar off an old cable.

[Sam Walters]

Instead of the speedo cable i will use a hall effect sensor some where on the output side of the gear box. Not quite sure yet though. For RPM i will use a clip on RPM sensor over one of the spark cords. I'm still busy figuring out the logistics but hopefully i can make it simple and reliable

convention is to put it into the rear brake hub assembly. However on the pot joints would do just fine.

[chrisdeakin]

For 50 - 70 pounds depending on what you want to spend you can fit a reversing camera and screen that turns on when you start to reverse from maplins.co.uk

[jeebz]

Interested in doing this too. Was speculating even using a small pc or laptop and wiri.g up to a screen in the dash.

[Ethel]

Probably worth mentioning RaspberryPi if people are looking at including computers.

[gerits]

Probably worth mentioning RaspberryPi if people are looking at including computers.

To create something usefull you need something like the via vab800 ( http://www.viaembedd...-800_Board.html). With some decent speed and sufficient io ports.

Raspberry pi is crap, don't expect to much from a 25$ device.

[freshairmini]

Raspberry pi is crap, don't expect to much from a 25$ device.

utter crap. Have you even used one? I have one and its brilliant, lots of things you can do with it. For £25 its pretty amazing to be honest.

[gerits]

Raspberry pi is crap, don't expect to much from a 25$ device.

utter crap. Have you even used one? I have one and its brilliant, lots of things you can do with it. For £25 its pretty amazing to be honest.

Well no, it's not crap. But it's crap to put in a car. It's a fun toy, but not enough for a decent audio system.

Edited by gerits, 07 August 2012 - 04:23 PM.

[mattbeddow]

Raspberry pi is crap, don't expect to much from a 25$ device.

utter crap. Have you even used one? I have one and its brilliant, lots of things you can do with it. For £25 its pretty amazing to be honest.

Well no, it's not crap. But it's crap to put in a car. It's a fun toy, but not enough for a decent audio system.

I think its awesome!! ive got mine running XBMC and it works great, full hd and 5.1 surround sound! more than enough for an in car pc.
Ive seen a few places mention a Pi based in-car pc, ill see if i can find a completed one

[mattbeddow]

Hmm, can find one where someone has actually stuck it in their car yet, but xmbc with one of those tv head units would work fine

[Ruckus]

Xbmc/Raspbmc is a great source 'system' but the Rashberry Pi hardware has some problems as an audio source. My understanding is that no matter what you do the audio output via the 3.5mm jack has a base level of distortion. And it's worst in the higher frequencies which is worst!

The audio output from the HDMI is a lot better but that will be a pain to convert in to a usable format.

XBMC on a jail broken Gen 1 Apple TV FTW.

[gerits]

The via vab800 is really designed to be used in cars (only it's not for sale, and might never be for sale to end users). It has proper audio, connection for up to 2 displays and has sufficient in/output options to connect eg. fuel meter, speedo, oilpressure, engine temperature,... That's a kind of device you should be looking at if you want to do it the right way. The hardest part is getting your hands on such a device.