ECU Diagnostic Software Re-Write

[mk1fan]

aide said:

Android is really great. It connects via the same cable just that my phone has a usb mini port so had to get an adapter cable.
It's for Android as the Apple rules for connecting to 3rd party hardware are pretty restrictive.

This post from page one may still be relevant.

Given how cheap an Android Tablet can be had for how about a dedicated unit?

[aide]

Stunned Monkey said:

2) If I turn ignition off and back on with the app connected, I have to unplug the lead to get the app to start reading properly again. Any chance of a "reset inputs" button or somesuch?

Hi

I've fixed this.

If you turn off the ignition and then back on, while the app is running, it senses that the connection has been lost (at the ECU side) and reconnects. No need to plug the lead in and out anymore.

RS-AJP (v1.09) is now available.

Kind regards
Aide

[HarryW]

For the hard of thinking here....me.......
My old laptop has died and my works laptop will not allow applications to be added. I now find myself with only a iPad so can't conect to the ECU, what do people recommend. Get an old laptop, or get a cheap android tablet thingy.
My preference would be to get the latter and jamming it into the front speaker recess as a semi permannet fitting. What do you recommnd I buy and can someone do a real idiots guide/schematic for connecting it too......

[mk1fan]

I would have thought any latest spec 7 / 8-inch android tablet would suffice - Maplin or Tesco would seem the 'cheapest' high street options. If need be, root the new tablet and load on the minimum operating system (ie with no added crap) so all it does is the car diagnostics.

[FarmyardPants]

HarryW said:

For the hard of thinking here....me.......
My old laptop has died and my works laptop will not allow applications to be added. I now find myself with only a iPad so can't conect to the ECU, what do people recommend. Get an old laptop, or get a cheap android tablet thingy.
My preference would be to get the latter and jamming it into the front speaker recess as a semi permannet fitting. What do you recommnd I buy and can someone do a real idiots guide/schematic for connecting it too......

I'm in the same position, have got a nexus 7 for the purpose but currently considering how to connect it to the db9 port and still be able to close the lid of the ecu. Thinking one of the ftdi USB-rs232 converters with bare wires at the rs232 end, and soldering pins onto the wires to jam into the sockets and cut a notch in the case. I'd like to mount the nexus on the flat bit of the dash above the stereo but still working out how to do that, too. Also my ecu has a little breakout cable with a 2 hole socket on the end, not sure what that is(?). I know some cars have a 3 socket rs232 breakout cable...

The nexus7 (2013 version) is a nice tablet with high res display (will also be used as satnav and maybe for recording video) but a bit pricey compared to some.

[thefrog]

Since this topic has resurfaced, Aide, is there any chance you could fix the scaling issues on the latest nexus 7 ?

Whenever I reset the display it's all over the place and relocating everything takes a long time, even with a mouse.

I appreciate you're busy so no sweat if it's not possible.

Greg

[FarmyardPants]

Couple of cheeky enhancement requests if you're in the code:

Option to limit the max speed indicator (incriminating)
Shift light, eg turn the background red above a configurable rpm

[aide]

HarryW said:

For the hard of thinking here....me.......
My old laptop has died and my works laptop will not allow applications to be added. I now find myself with only a iPad so can't conect to the ECU, what do people recommend. Get an old laptop, or get a cheap android tablet thingy.
My preference would be to get the latter and jamming it into the front speaker recess as a semi permannet fitting. What do you recommnd I buy and can someone do a real idiots guide/schematic for connecting it too......

Hi HarryW

I use a Samsung Galaxy S3 - the Nexus 7 is perfect as well.
If you have a 9pin ecu connection then you just need:
1. A Usb OTG Cable
2. And a Prolific USB to RS-232 DB9 Serial Adapter

Connection procedure:
1) Connect your cables together
2) Connect cable to your ECU
3) Connect cable to your Android device

When you connect the cable to your Android device you will get a popup asking you to run the app.

That's it!

HTH
Aide

[aide]

FarmyardPants said:

I'm in the same position, have got a nexus 7 for the purpose but currently considering how to connect it to the db9 port and still be able to close the lid of the ecu. Thinking one of the ftdi USB-rs232 converters with bare wires at the rs232 end, and soldering pins onto the wires to jam into the sockets and cut a notch in the case. I'd like to mount the nexus on the flat bit of the dash above the stereo but still working out how to do that, too. Also my ecu has a little breakout cable with a 2 hole socket on the end, not sure what that is(?). I know some cars have a 3 socket rs232 breakout cable...

The nexus7 (2013 version) is a nice tablet with high res display (will also be used as satnav and maybe for recording video) but a bit pricey compared to some.

Just for info - it's prolific only! no FTDI support.
Best wishes
Aide

[FarmyardPants]

aide said:

Just for info - it's prolific only! no FTDI support.
Best wishes
Aide

Ok thanks. Do people run with the ecu lid off then?

[aide]

thefrog said:

Since this topic has resurfaced, Aide, is there any chance you could fix the scaling issues on the latest nexus 7 ?

Whenever I reset the display it's all over the place and relocating everything takes a long time, even with a mouse.

I appreciate you're busy so no sweat if it's not possible.

Greg

Hi Greg

When you have everything relocated, why don't you save your layout?

Menu -> Options -> Save Layout

When you click on Save Layout the app creates a file in a directory called rs-ajp in DeviceStorage.

The filename is just a timestamp with a .rs-ajp extension.

With the following format:
YYYY-MM-DD hh-mm-ss.rs-ajp

That way, if you have to reset the display, all you have to do is locate the directory and click on your saved layout.

HTH
Aide

[aide]

FarmyardPants said:

aide said:

Just for info - it's prolific only! no FTDI support.
Best wishes
Aide

Ok thanks. Do people run with the ecu lid off then?

I'm not 100% sure - I have a a three pin fly lead so don't have to open the ECU.
I believe someone has cut a perfect hole the size of the cable housing in the ECU lid and it works well.
And I recall seeing someone with an RS232 ribbon cable mounted permanently with the lid on.
HTH
Aide

[aide]

FarmyardPants said:

Couple of cheeky enhancement requests if you're in the code:

Option to limit the max speed indicator (incriminating)
Shift light, eg turn the background red above a configurable rpm

Max Speed - I can remove the indicator altogether if you like (I think mine is permanently stuck in the "custodial sentence / six points" zone.

I added the G-force and lateral-G meters to the app to actually learn each car's individual acceleration characteristics so that the app could specifically tell you when to up shift. The data is all there, I just haven't had time to add the feature.

Best wishes
Adrian

[FarmyardPants]

Fair enough, yea the option to not record/display max speed would be handy.

Thanks again, will be downloading the app in the next few weeks

[TimJM]

aide said:

I'm not 100% sure - I have a a three pin fly lead so don't have to open the ECU.
....

So your app doesn't require the rs232 in inside and will run off the 3 pin diag lead? I thought that lead never worked - or did it just never work on the TVR laptop software?

[aide]

TimJM said:

aide said:

I'm not 100% sure - I have a a three pin fly lead so don't have to open the ECU.
....

So your app doesn't require the rs232 in inside and will run off the 3 pin diag lead? I thought that lead never worked - or did it just never work on the TVR laptop software?

Hi Tim,
If you have the 3 pin fly lead then you will need the 3 pin diag lead in conjunction with the other two.
HTH!
Aide

[TimJM]

aide said:

Hi Tim,
If you have the 3 pin fly lead then you will need the 3 pin diag lead in conjunction with the other two.
HTH!
Aide

I will check - I have had that many cerbs now I can't remember them all but I can remember one had the 3 pin fly lead as I though that was the diag lead until somebody tole me the diag connection was inside and you had to remove the cover.

But to confirm if I have the 3 pin fly lead then I need another lead as well but then I don't need the rs232/lid off? Is that right?

[RFC1]

TimJM said:

I will check - I have had that many cerbs now I can't remember them all but I can remember one had the 3 pin fly lead as I though that was the diag lead until somebody tole me the diag connection was inside and you had to remove the cover.

But to confirm if I have the 3 pin fly lead then I need another lead as well but then I don't need the rs232/lid off? Is that right?

Later ecu's have a 3 pin fly lead for diagnostics (like mine 2001) car. and yes you do need the extra lead.

Sandy

[aide]

TimJM said:

But to confirm if I have the 3 pin fly lead then I need another lead as well but then I don't need the rs232/lid off? Is that right?

Yes, that's it exactly Tim.
HTH
Aide

[thefrog]

aide said:

When you have everything relocated, why don't you save your layout?

If only I had done that
I was never 100% happy with my layout though, yours looks much better out of the box on screenshots