Gauges via laptop

[wmoguy]

I'm thinking of permanently mounting my old net book in my 93 and in lieu of loading up on gauges was wondering if there was a system I could use that somehow uses the laptop for gauges. I know it's possible on the newer trucks but how about these mechanical beasts? Does anyone make a USB type system?

 

[Diesel JD]

Maybe if you got electronic gauge senders. You might almost need to be an electrical engineer to pull it off though.

 

[ManicMike]

Sorry, but being are rig's are mechanical everything having something like that would cost A LOT of money to develop.

 

[FordGuy100]

I thought the same thing at one time. I have no idea what you would need to pull it off. Electrical gauges (ones that send an electrical signal) to some sort of interpreter box, which would then need to have some sort of programming to transform that info into numbers that would come up on a screen.

Eletrical engineer and Computer programmer

 

[OLDBULL8]

I seen something like that on one of the forums. It was a module with digital readouts and special sensors for it. IIRC the cost was $2500. Would it be worth it?

I've got one for my PSD, it's called AutoEnginuity that hooks to my laptop from the OBDll connection.. AE was $389, laptop was $850, but the readouts come from the PCM that the sensors feed into. But I can only read one thing at a time.

 

[Agnem]

All you would need is a multi channel D/A converter and some software. Very common in scientific labs. You'd just need to adapt it. Problem is, as many have said, the cost will be comparable or more than JBOG.

 

[SparkandFire]

I do PLC programming and I can tell you it certainly can be done.

Analog transducers for everything, back into an analog card on a PLC, then a simple OPC HMI software running on the laptop.

Certainly will cost more than mechanical gauges, but may be VERY cool to look at, no doubt!



http://www.automationdirect.com/adc..._Modular)/DirectLogic_205_(Micro_Modular_PLC)

 

[typ4]

i actually have my Dads engineer working on a stand alone LCD screen readout for something like this, as soon as I am off work again iI am devoting time to it.

 

[FordGuy100]

i actually have my Dads engineer working on a stand alone LCD screen readout for something like this, as soon as I am off work again iI am devoting time to it.

Have him work on a heads up projection, you know that fancy technology the upper end European cars have. I think a laster??? Projects the image of mph, rpm, essential gauges up on the window so you dont have to look down at gauges as you drive

 

[wmoguy]

i actually have my Dads engineer working on a stand alone LCD screen readout for something like this, as soon as I am off work again iI am devoting time to it.

that would be way sweet! keep us up to date on progress please!