Would anyone be interested in one of these?

I have the firmware done and I am working on packaging. How fancy the packaging gets depends on how many people might be interested. My intent isn't to make money, my intentions are to get enough volume so that I can make it more feasible for me to produce one for myself. This photo is a idea of the layout. If it look interesting to you let me know what you would like to see implemented, where connector exits, colors, etc...

Here is a short description-

1-compatible w/ Craig Moates adapters
2-You can assign 14 character names to each bank.
3-Menu driven set-up
4-LCD backlight for easy night viewing.
5-LCD Shutdown time programmable(wakes up when button pressed) saves power!

Let me know what you think.

 

Cool! Is it password protected? About how much?

 

Depending on price, I'd be interested.

 

That is AWESOME, but I think usng a full color LCD is a little bit overkill for something like this, not to mention $$$$. How about making and selling JUST the controller, and have an output to hook up any HD77480 Controlled LCD. Those LCD's are cheap and can be for 10-20 bucks at www.eio.com. Small momentary switches can be used for input, which could also be on a remote board with an extension. Just throwing out ideas!

Oh yea, pasword protection as mentioned above would RULE!

 

The LCD isn't a full color LCD, it is a standard 2x16 backlit LCD display. They range in price from $10- $20. As for the switches I have used an optocoupler set-up to allow the Micro to control the switching. Current Menu Structure as below.

Main Menu
1-Select Bank
This option will allow you to press Up/Dwn keys to scroll through available banks(depends on adapter/chip/bank size set-up) once the desired bank is displayed press enter and the program will change the addr lines on craigs adapter.


2-Change Bank Name
This option alllows you to edit the name of the bank currently in use.(Alphanumeric)
3-Adapter Set-up
Here is where I need some more info, right now I have 2 options (1-CMP3 8 x 512K, 2-CMP3 16 x 256K)


4-Power Save Delay
This option allows you to set the time(minutes) that the display stays on before powering off(The unit will continue to function). When the menu button is pressed the unit will wake up.

5-View Version
Displays the current Firmware version.


What do you want password protected?
Menu?
Changing Banks Only?

 

Suonds cool man. Maybe once the password is specified, the only thing you can see is the currently running program, to moev from that disply you must enter a password, which will give you access to change anything. This is for a "valet" mode or and "anti-theft mode". That way you can have a just about disabled PROM in use if some fool decides he wants to take the car out on a joyride.

 

Password protection for changing the banks. Like if you had to lend out the car and had a bin with a 3000 rpm feul cutoff burned in it, that way the person couldnt change the profile, or like a valet mode that couldnt be changed by just some fooling around.

 

Is there any way to make the thing have both a PROM (EEPROM) with multiple banks, and also have a connector to switch in a romulator for tuning?

That way, you could keep your romulator connected all the time, and keep a "known good" image in case something happens to the romulator, or for when you don't want the added of risk of driving on the romulator.

 

It would be awesome if you could make something like that, that would connect to the ALDL also so when it is not displaying what bin it is using it can show a graphic RPM meter or something cool like that. Just an idea.

 

This unit is just a switcher. What you want could be done, although it would require a different adapter in the ECM. I have looked into similar ideas. I am considering a few cool things on my next project.

 

Yeah, I want one of those. . . if the price isn't totally out of line. I don't mind if you make some bucks in it. I've bought about everything Craig has came out with, adapters, eeproms, switchers, extension cords, and have in a very small way dontated to his scanning software.

So, let me know when I can get it. I have the 730 8 program switchers running in my (non-third gen) now with Craigs digital display but that thing you got there would be untra cool!

 

The unit looks great and I'am sure if you could incorporate some type of password protection to lock out people you should have no problem selling them. Hell I'll buy one!

 

I don't understand why someone would want to run a program other then the one the engine likes the best and delivers best performance.
If I had one of those I would never use it, it would stay one one setting only-performance.
Just my opinion.

 

Valet parking, loanig the car to a relative, theft, a multitude of reasons.

 

If I only wanted one setting I wouldn't have purchased Tunercat, PP2, Craigs Adapter, etc.... I would have bought an aftermarket chip.

I believe that "Best Performance" depends alot on the conditions you are driving/racing and also depends on the perspective of the mechanic. With multiple calibrations you can select the best calibration for the conditions you are running the car in.


I don't know how it is for everyone else, but in my case I am using it in a Sonoma Truck and the modes I plan on using are Towing, Econo, 89oct fuel, 91oct Fuel,etc... I know most of the people on this forum are weekend racers and use their car to commute during the week, I can see where multiple settings would be nice for them. And if you can't afford a romulator you can burn one chip with varied setting in the parameter you are tuning, then you switch between to see results.

Everyone has different needs!

Just my two cents!

 

I want to use it a make a calibration where my car could never run so if someone tries to steal my car they can’t. For example set the rev limiter to the lowest RPM possible so it won’t even idle and set the speed cutoff to 0 mph.

 

Well today I wrote the firmware to allow locking out the menu, I included to menu items
1-Change PIN #
2-Enable/Disable Security

I incorporated a 4 digit Pin(Personal Identification Number) so when you press menu it will as you for your PIN. I figured it would be nice to disable the PIN security when making frequent changes between calibrations. I also hooked it up to my sonoma today and ran through all eight banks(512K). It worked great!

 

Let me know when you're going into production with these and the price and I'll buy 2 of them.

 

Will do, For sure.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where they would like the cables to exit the handheld unit? I was going to use shielded round cable and put a connector on the switcher. But I am not quite sure of where people will be putting the unit.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

also let me know, i would love to have one.

i would like to have it so that it can easily be mounted in the dash somewhere, so a rear exiting cable would be my prefernce.

 

Wow, that looks really cool,.....


but i dont understand what its for? I understand what it does, but is it like the OBDII controler? Does it change or play around with the PROM settings?

MAN i got to get into PROM tunning... you guys are having to much fun in here.. plus i need one for my setup.

 

This unit doesn't communicate with the ECU. You use it in conjunction with Craig Moates switcher adapters that plug into the ECU. It just switches between the calibrations that have been previously been programmed into an oversized chip. It also allows a easier way to remember what each program is and password protected(optional). I still haven't decided wether to do a batch or not.

You are right this is way too much fun.

 

Hey sign me up for one of those! I've been trying to figure out something to switch bin's on-the-fly for a while, the only thing I came up with is a device from JDR that you plug in place of the prom and hook the other end up to a PC and it simulates the prom, but the PC would have to be up b4 i could start the car. So essentially I'd have to boot my car up to get it started. Thats worse then waiting for an old diesel engine to get ready to start!

So yea I'm definately in!

Brian

 

If you make it backlit in a bright blue, I will take one!

 

So what is the status/ETA of this? Still in production or on hold?
Just wondering, looks interesting!

 

Well that is a good question. I still have not decided. I am working on another ECU project, and I am wondering if I should just implement a different form of this switcher. My current project has a much bigger scope of work. It might be more feasible for me if I do it all at once. I have completed the schematics and firmware, I just need to do the PCB layout and Keypad then it can be produced. I will try to make a decision soon.

Matt

 

Add me to the list of people that would be interested. The switcher looks great. Keepup the great work.


David

 

Hello All,
I have to apoligize for dropping this switcher. I figured that with Craig M. doing such a great job with the newer products that the lcd switcher would not be very usefull. If there is enough interest in a lcd switcher, then I might be willing to design a smaller sleeker lcd switcher that originally. I don't want to do it if there isn't much interest in it. Let me know your thoughts.

Matt

 

The password protected theft protection is the main reason for me to do it. Have a bin with the injectors,ign and fuel pump disabled and it will never start.
I guess you could just unplug Craig's switcher. I don't know since I don't have a switcher. Just an Autoprom.
Now if you included an aldl scanner so you can choose what item to display or scroll.
That would increase sales. Not everyone wants/needs to log all the time. Plus with a wb hac you can run open loop all the time and monitor afr w/o building a display.

 

I'm interested still.
I use my Moates unit unplugged for the default program with fuel cutoff at 2000 rpm and speed limited to 13 mph.
Works great when I forget to plug it back in
I have to keep notes in my car to remember what setting is which program though. Having text would be cool, but would need the password protection for changing. I only run about 4 programs regularly, the others are just for playing. Smaller is better for mounting on the dash on the dvr side.
Never saw this thread before, it is cool idea indeed.
I don't know how feasible it is to connect to the ALDL stream and show values. That would really get attention if you could scroll the data items in the std output stream as well.

Oh yea, creeeeepy... creeepy on the features again

 

Gunther, I like your switcher and Im sorry to hear that you may not offer it.

If you truly dont have the time to build them, how about posting schematics and a parts list, or sending the schematics and list out via email for a small donation? This may not amount to much, but may help fund some of your new project. We would all appreciate it, whatever you decide to do.

 

"Gunther, I like your switcher and Im sorry to hear that you may not offer it.

If you truly dont have the time to build them, how about posting schematics and a parts list, or sending the schematics and list out via email for a small donation? This may not amount to much, but may help fund some of your new project. We would all appreciate it, whatever you decide to do."


You have a good point, maybe I will tidy up the firmware, fab and assy drawing, schematics and bom and just post them.

I am going to set up a web site very soon for some of my electronics projects, and I will post the info there when I get a chance. Either way the info will be open source.

Matt

 

 

cudos.. :yourock: I'm definitly interested. If you release a schematic and a PCB layout man it wouldn't be hard at all to build. Hell I would probably just have a few (10) PCB's either made or try to make them myself and have a few built for people that want it once they see mine in action.

 

please keep us posted, and thanks!