Digital Dashboard (pics)

[Calhere]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

Man this looks like a terrific program, id love to put something like that to test!

 

[MERIT6419]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

Bubba,
That Is Really Cool I Think I Can Chime In On The Simple System A Display That Has Speed Tach Oil Pressure Engine Water Temp Voltage Fuel Level And Trim And Optional Fish Finder. Awesome Work Man Keep It Up.

 

[Calhere]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

Maybe on a simple version, combine the fish finder and GPS to one screen to where you can touch the screen to bring the map to the front or vs versa.

 

[MERIT6419]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

The Speedo Would Have To Be Gps To Work With The Computer So I Dont See Why Not But Man It Would Be Nice To Have Him Build A Simple System For Guy Like You And Me You Know A System That Is Not Worth More Than The Boat It Is Going Into.

 

[redfury]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

If you could keep the cost around $500 for a BASIC unit, and allow for future upgrades I could see many boaters going with it on their project boats, especially since the cost of a decent gauge set will cost you half that anyway.

Giving the average Joe a speedo and RPM gauge with the ability to add on extras by just getting the sensors and "enabling" them could easily allow this to catch on.

See, cause that's the biggest problem with most electronics purchases....I want all the features, but my budget only allows for the basics...but if I could add them on later, I could when/if my budget allowed. We upgrade our computers to get more out of them/better features instead of buying a new one, why not look at this dash idea the same way?

Personally, I'd nix the fish finder for a simple depth gauge. The reasoning being that I'd much rather have a Hummingbird side scan sonar than a basic fish finder ( talking rhetorically ) in my dash and/or I will upgrade to a new one when it comes out.

All said and done though, I LOVE this idea for this boat.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

Should it be removable. Keeping it away from the elements when not in use would prolong it's life. ...


Just a thought.

 

[redfury]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

Not to be mean but, consider what even a cheap PC (or PLC) with a monitor costs. Now add in the needed I/O card and a couple sensors. I am afraid the $500 budget won't go very far.

Oh, I know...About $500, but I wouldn't trust it to last. A quality PC with monitor is going to set you back a grand.

The only way to keep the cost down would be to make it modular.

 

[colobiker]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

bubba
"The PLC also has some other limitations I don't like. (Wireless for web browsing/communications, ability to play music/video/DVDs, etc.)"

I forgot about the music/dvd stuff.. PLC wont work for that.. (sometimes I just think too much like an engineer)

bubba, do you like the X10 stuff?? I have looked at it. i wasnt that impressed with what they were doing.

Redfury....
as far as a cheap system, or putting one it that doesnt cost more than the boat... great idea, but not very likely in the beginning.. you'll have to look at a pre canned system like the curtis Engage IV I have. if you wanna be in the $500 or less range.


Merrit6419,
much like bubba stated.. simple systems are simple systems and electronics still cost..... going from basic to pretty high end the cost isnt linear. there is a steep up front cost then the price levels off as you raise in complexity.



this stuff while cool to talk about is indeed one off category stuff and you figure its an oooh and ahhh factor more than anything. what ever money you sink into a fancy control system, you will never increase the cost of the boat by that ammount. you have to be the type (like myself) who is willing to dump thousands of dollars into a project knowing you'll never see the return of it... I had a triumph spitfire.. actuators on the doors/boot and bonnet, power windows and top.. I put as much electronics into that little car as i could.. thousands upon thousands of dollars.. but in the end. it was still a triumph spitfire. and those dont have the collectable value that a TR does. I just did it cause I could... my boat will be the same.. its a 1981 barretta, no matter how fancy I get, it will still be a 1981 barretta.. I do this stuff for my own twisted reasons.. that and to make my friends say.. gee thats cool.

all this talk has me thinking.. maybe a 26' cuddy cabin, full electronics, on board movie system totally tricked out.. kind of like the Prevost busses.
more so than a little runabout/ski boat. (hmmm future project)

 

[Yar.]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

Hi Bubba,

I am also a industrial controls nerd and I was just wondering what kind of power supply is required to run a couple of the displays and extras? The 4-20 stuff shouldn't be too much of a factor, but we do have to remember that this is a boat and unless we design one long floating extension cord.......

I like the idea and the layout though! I will have to do some more pondering on it for more feedback for you.

 

[colobiker]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

Yar,

your a controls geek too? that makes 3 of us.
bubba, you and me (colobiker)

whats your background in.. mine is PLC based.
I havent done much with computers like bubba.

I am really enjoying this thread.. it combines 2 of my favorite
things, control systems and boats.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

Revision with a Fuel Gauge. Also tossed in some digital read outs of the gauges.

Bubba

Just playing catchup on a few threads.

I really like the layout. The digital readouts add a nice touch. You could incorporate the same in the middle of the speed and tach as well so you provide both and analog and digital output.

 

[MERIT6419]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

Oh, I know...About $500, but I wouldn't trust it to last. A quality PC with monitor is going to set you back a grand.

The only way to keep the cost down would be to make it modular.

So if there was a way down the line to make a system modular. where you have a base system with speed tach and make it so you add on other items like oil pressure and water temp just by adding sensors. just a thought from a guy that thinks there is more than one way to skin a cat only problem you have to buy the cat first.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

Or at the touch of a finger change from analog to digital display of all the gauges. There in lies the beauty of using a PC, if you can imagine it, I can do it in code. (More or less. )

That would be sweet. I think that idea would transition into the gauges (3 in the upper right) for fuel, etc. Free up some real estate.

 

[oops!]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

bubba....for a full screen....like in the earlier versions.......how much room do you need....?....ill see what i can make

 

[MERIT6419]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

Bubba that looks great for the smaller screen. I really like its simplicity. So if I understand it right you press one of the f keys since it is a touch screen and you would bring up the other funtions like oil and voltage ect... will this setup have the ability to do engine diagnostics and kick out codes like a obd 1 or 2 car computer can?

 

[redfury]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

A thought occured to me (it happens every so often) and I want everyones thoughts.

What if I created a "command" interface that allowed the user to design his own screens? What I have in mind would be say four possible screens that are blank. Then you have all the gauges and graphics for the controls that you could drag to the screen of your choice, move them around, size them, etc. Heck, even make changes in the color combinations.

Would something like that have any value?

Does Myspace or igoogle have any value to people?

The ability to customize is always welcome. I like the fact that I can change what is displayed on my Lowrance X97.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

A thought occured to me (it happens every so often) and I want everyones thoughts.

What if I created a "command" interface that allowed the user to design his own screens? What I have in mind would be say four possible screens that are blank. Then you have all the gauges and graphics for the controls that you could drag to the screen of your choice, move them around, size them, etc. Heck, even make changes in the color combinations.

Would something like that have any value?

The flexibility to manipulate and change the screens to best suit the end user needs is pretty awesome. What a person thinks is important right now will be of little use in 6 months, etc and the hidden item, will be something they want up front and center. They need to use it first and you providing that flexibility would be a huge plus in my opinion.

 

[DutchMerc]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

This is hot stuff!!! I can't wait to see this available for universal use, and for an accessible price...

 

[redfury]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

I will have to say one thing about incorporating a fish finder into the dash...you don't have to worry about it walking off while you are in paying for gas ( at the dock or at the station ). A question about that actually....there is such a great deal of differences in the quality of depth/fish finders out there....what is actually determining the quality of the one you were incorporating into this design? Is it more dependent on the transducer quality in order to get the quality on the screen, or is it more software driven? I'd love one of those Hummingbirds with the side scan sonar, but a grand for the cheapest one just isn't going to happen with my current budget allowances....would be cool if I could buy the hardware to pump into my own dashboard w/sonar and get everything cheaper...but I suppose there are rights issues to contend with there....

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Digital Dashboard (pics)

would be cool if I could buy the hardware to pump into my own dashboard w/sonar and get everything cheaper...but I suppose there are rights issues to contend with there....

Red, I'd guess Bubba could best answer this but with those units you have the transducer and then in the head unit is the decoder/software, and a display.

I'm assuming it wouldn't be simple to 'interpret' or 'decode' their signals to display at which point, you'd be simply upgrading your display.

But I could be wrong (like that doesn't happen a few times a day at least)