Discussion
Just watched the Black Falcon Cars u-tube clip and I was wondering (before I finalise the position of switches) if there would be a use for an ipad. I know nothing about them or what they can do (still on Blackberry).
Could it be used an a satnav?
I know they play video and music.
I don't think they can be used as a phone?
Could it be used to monitor engine (as the screen in the video)?
What other uses could they have? Can anyone more gadget minded than me shed any light.
Paul
Could it be used an a satnav?
I know they play video and music.
I don't think they can be used as a phone?
Could it be used to monitor engine (as the screen in the video)?
What other uses could they have? Can anyone more gadget minded than me shed any light.
Paul
With reference to my recent post about the OBDII socket on the LS3 ECU, and despite the mixed answers (I'm still no clearer as to whether there is one), BUT I went and bought a Garmin Nuvi 3790t sat nav anyway along with their Ecoroute dongle that plugs into an OBDII socket and the sat nav then gives multiple dial displays showing as-it-happens info on anything from revs, induction temp, throttle position, air mass info and the list goes on.
I'm going to mount this in a custom dash I'm currently making in carbon and I've tried the satnav and dongle in my Nissan and it works brilliantly, I just hope now that the diagnostics part works in the Ultima when it's finished as it will add a whole range of addition info at my fingertips... It's also a darn site easier to find a place to put it unlike an iPad which I have no idea where that would go without getting in the road.
I'm going to mount this in a custom dash I'm currently making in carbon and I've tried the satnav and dongle in my Nissan and it works brilliantly, I just hope now that the diagnostics part works in the Ultima when it's finished as it will add a whole range of addition info at my fingertips... It's also a darn site easier to find a place to put it unlike an iPad which I have no idea where that would go without getting in the road.
In the new year I will be swapping to an iPhone from my Blackberry so rather than having a 3G iPad (3G coverage in the UK is cr*p) I was thinking of combining ipad and iphone.
Can an ipad receive input from an iphone and act as a larger screen? Can they be connected by Bluetooth?
Sorry for the daft (to some) questions but we didn't even have calculators when I was at school.
Paul
Can an ipad receive input from an iphone and act as a larger screen? Can they be connected by Bluetooth?
Sorry for the daft (to some) questions but we didn't even have calculators when I was at school.
Paul
I plan on installing a tablet in my car as my navigation/music/etc.
Depending on your tablet, yes, they can be your SatNav (programs are already installed) as they can have built in GPS. But you need an internet connection. Can either get a 3g ipad, or just tether to your phone when you do it.
It will play movies/music/etc without problems. Movies can be up to 1080p (depending on your tablet). Not sure on the quality of the output of sound though because it's just a 3.5mm stereo jack, but if you convert that to an RCA output (conversion cable), then you can connect it to a standard car amplifier. Unless you're an audiophile, I don't think the quality will be an issue for you though in an Ultima.
I also plan to use my tablet for internet browsing on the fly (restaurant reviews, hotels, travelling etc). Obviously there are also apps you can install and use as any normal phone/tablet.
Not sure about a reverse camera yet, but I can always crack the unit open, remove the camera, run it to the rear of the car, and then use it like that. Otherwise, there might an some type of external camera application. If you go for an Android tablet, if you need a custom App you can always have someone write it for you (from a freelancer website).
Depending on your tablet, yes, they can be your SatNav (programs are already installed) as they can have built in GPS. But you need an internet connection. Can either get a 3g ipad, or just tether to your phone when you do it.
It will play movies/music/etc without problems. Movies can be up to 1080p (depending on your tablet). Not sure on the quality of the output of sound though because it's just a 3.5mm stereo jack, but if you convert that to an RCA output (conversion cable), then you can connect it to a standard car amplifier. Unless you're an audiophile, I don't think the quality will be an issue for you though in an Ultima.
I also plan to use my tablet for internet browsing on the fly (restaurant reviews, hotels, travelling etc). Obviously there are also apps you can install and use as any normal phone/tablet.
Not sure about a reverse camera yet, but I can always crack the unit open, remove the camera, run it to the rear of the car, and then use it like that. Otherwise, there might an some type of external camera application. If you go for an Android tablet, if you need a custom App you can always have someone write it for you (from a freelancer website).
Storer said:
In the new year I will be swapping to an iPhone from my Blackberry so rather than having a 3G iPad (3G coverage in the UK is cr*p) I was thinking of combining ipad and iphone.
Can an ipad receive input from an iphone and act as a larger screen? Can they be connected by Bluetooth?
Sorry for the daft (to some) questions but we didn't even have calculators when I was at school.
Paul
No an iPhone cannot control an iPad. Bluetooth can only be used for connecting headsets, OBDII readers etc, Can an ipad receive input from an iphone and act as a larger screen? Can they be connected by Bluetooth?
Sorry for the daft (to some) questions but we didn't even have calculators when I was at school.
Paul
An iPhone won't see an iPad on Bluetooth and vice versa, the iPad may see e iPhone if you use it as a personal hotspot over Bluetooth but I'm not sure as my iPad2 is 3G so I have no need.
I don't really think an iPad is suitable to a dash as small as the Ultima's.... however, if you were Jailbroken, there are tools to allow you to do more with the pair of 'em. Not really easy tho'.
My chosen route is a 7" open frame touch screen LCD, mounted in a custom centre console that runs from the top of the dash, down to the gearstick. A mini-PC will be mounted on the front bulkhead, behind the passenger footrest. Once I've done the final fit on the side pods & rear bulkhead, I'll start to look at the dash and get the console mocked up.... I'll post some pics when I get there.
My chosen route is a 7" open frame touch screen LCD, mounted in a custom centre console that runs from the top of the dash, down to the gearstick. A mini-PC will be mounted on the front bulkhead, behind the passenger footrest. Once I've done the final fit on the side pods & rear bulkhead, I'll start to look at the dash and get the console mocked up.... I'll post some pics when I get there.
Storer said:
You might find it gets a bit too warm down there for a computer that has limited cooling (due to size).
Paul
I've put a lot of work into heat proofing the cabin and as an IT saddo, I've been researching the correct spec of components to minimise heat issues within the PC chassis, inc mini fans. Should be OK, but the proof is in the pudding Paul
chucknorris said:
With reference to my recent post about the OBDII socket on the LS3 ECU, and despite the mixed answers (I'm still no clearer as to whether there is one)
There is a lot of confusion about all things OBD, but in simple terms:The OBDII standard that came into force in the USA in 1996 mandates certain parameters for diagnostic systems in cars.
1) standardised underdash connector (the J1962 connector)
2) standardised set of diagnostic PIDS (parameter ID's) see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OBD-II_PIDs
3) standardised set of dianostic troubel codes (DTC's)
4) standardised types of communications protocols and physical layers (wiring etc)
Because of this, every engine ecu produced since that time will have some type of diagnostic capability. However, each manufacturer had their own protocols and physical layers (GMLAN, FORD PWM, KWP2000, CAN etc). Also, because the OBD connector has a mandated position (within 150mm of the steering column in the passenger cabin) generally most engine looms do NOT have the actually conenctor built into them. The engine ecu will have the communications bus pins comming out of its main connector, but usually that will interface with the body / underdash loom, and this part will contain the actual J1962 socket.
In the EU, due to the influence of the German OEM's and the all encompasing power of BOSCH, most manufacturers standarised on CAN (Controller Area Network) as the communications bus standard. This is a "two wire, differential voltage" signalling system, which is robust to noise and interferrence, and can handle relatively high traffic loads. From 2008 onwards, CAN became the global Standard for OBD, and all cars worldwide are now required to output data on a CAN physical layer.
It is also important to understand the difference between "broadcast" and "polled" traffic on whatever communications bus is used. Broadcast data is availible on the bus at all times, it does not have to be "asked for" (or polled). For example, the speedo needs to know the cars speed all the time, and hence the ABS will broadcast the vehicle speed message onto the communication bus continuously without being asked for it specifically. This will be true for all commmon messages (eg. rpm, engine temp, fuel level etc).
Some data however is "polled", and in this case the specific ecu must be requested for that data.
This is where the PID's come into play. The OBDII std mandates the PID ID's for lots of common parameters, so that any other system can simply request that data.
For example a plug in scan tool communcations exchange might go as follows:
scan tool: anyone there
engine ecu: yes me
scan tool, send me the engine rpm (PID 0x0C)
engine ecu, here's the engine rpm
Lots of the aftermarket OBD plug in's use these OBDII mandated PID's to provide this data to the driver or to log it etc.
On top of the OBDII mandated PID's generally each manufacturer will have serveral hundred (and sometimes several thousand!) of their own specific and non published PID's.
At the most basic level, you will require 2 main connections at the OBD socket
1) power and gnd
2) the communications bus wire(s)
The positions of those pins within the OBD connector is also mandated, see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics
If you can find the pinout for the GM LS3 ecu, then adding your "own" OBD connector becomes very easy!
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