Nxt Mod: Replace Stock Gauge Cluster with DASH2

[perryeyges]

Originally Posted by Brent Bauman

Perry,
Why don't you use the EFI dash since you have their ecu? It's capabilities are nearly endless as well.

I guess you have a good point there...
Casey!!!

[Bgwilly31]

Originally Posted by perryeyges

If you look along the bottom there is an odometer at the left and a trip meter on the right..

I want this mod!! My inst cluster has burned out lights anyway
One thing i don't see is a CEL... I like.... I want.....
How much????$$$$$$$ installed?

I saw that but how does it legally transer over the miles. ?

[perryeyges]

Originally Posted by Bgwillyelise

I saw that but how does it legally transer over the miles. ?

You have to program it yourself.. You would just be fooling yourself in this day of readily available information if you were to do anything but enter the correct mileage.

[turbophil]

The odo on the Dash2 is non-resettable. So I'll simply put in the miles I've got on the car and let it go from there. Maybe I'm kidding myself here, but I doubt milage is going to be someone's main consideration when purchasing my car anyway (if/when I ever sell it)... If someone wants a low milage stocker, my car won't fit the bill... although it is pretty low milage at just about 9,000 on the clock. I obviously spend more time tinkering with it than I do driving it

Regarding the AIM dash, it's just more than I need. Heck the RT stuff is more than I need, although I'll enjoy several of its features. At well under 2 grand, RT seemed like a great way to go and I don't see that I'm sacraficing any big features with it for what I'll use it for. DL1 has the ability to overlay video as well from what I understand. I'll be feeding it Lambda, 2 MAP readings, engine temp, wheel speed, RPM, GPS, brake signal, TPS, it has internal G-Force, and what else????
... so again, I think this package will be pretty awesome. It should arrive next week...although I'll be tinkering with ClamHinge tomorrow and most of next seekend, so I won't be able to make any dash preperations until when???

Best,

Phil

[perryeyges]

[quote=turbophil;921985]The odo on the Dash2 is non-resettable. So I'll simply put in the miles I've got on the car and let it go from there. Maybe I'm kidding myself here, but I doubt milage is going to be someone's main consideration when purchasing my car anyway (if/when I ever sell it)... If someone wants a low milage stocker, my car won't fit the bill... although it is pretty low milage at just about 9,000 on the clock. I obviously spend more time tinkering with it than I do driving it

Regarding the AIM dash, it's just more than I need. Heck the RT stuff is more than I need, although I'll enjoy several of its features. At well under 2 grand, RT seemed like a great way to go and I don't see that I'm sacraficing any big features with it for what I'll use it for. DL1 has the ability to overlay video as well from what I understand. I'll be feeding it Lambda, 2 MAP readings, engine temp, wheel speed, RPM, GPS, brake signal, TPS, it has internal G-Force, and what else????
... so again, I think this package will be pretty awesome. It should arrive next week...although I'll be tinkering with ClamHinge tomorrow and most of next seekend, so I won't be able to make any dash preperations until when???

Best,




Phil,
Can I just plug in an EFI cluster to my EFI stand alone??

[turbophil]

I would assume so, but I shouldn't even be doing that, as I really don't know... I would think since you're running EFI, you would consider their dash provided that it's comparable to the RT products and it integrates smoothly. If not, for not a whole lot of money you could buy the RT setup I just did... It should be here this week

Best,

Phil

[charliex]

The efi unit should just plug straight into your ecu perry, they've got the wheel too.

http://www.efitechnology.com/dashdisplay.html

[perryeyges]

Originally Posted by charliex

The efi unit should just plug straight into your ecu perry, they've got the wheel too.

http://www.efitechnology.com/dashdisplay.html

Thanks for the link. I want that steering wheel....

[turbophil]

My box came from RTUSA this morning. Both the Dash2 and DL1 were nicely package in their own carrying case

The Dash2 is much more substantial than I thought it would be. It's comprised of a sturdy aluminum casing and is quite a bit tougher than one might think. All the connectors look very strong and well put together. Next stop is to get a some primary wire in a variety of colors to take care of the install, build a housing for the D2 to fit in place of the stock cluster, and wire everything together. I forgot just how small the DL-1 is. It's about the size of two decks of cards stacked together so mounting should be a breeze. I'm thinking that a spot under the dash would be perfect.

I'll try to update with some pics as things come together...

Best,

Phil

[perryeyges]

Originally Posted by turbophil

My box came from RTUSA this morning. Both the Dash2 and DL1 were nicely package in their own carrying case

The Dash2 is much more substantial than I thought it would be. It's comprised of a sturdy aluminum casing and is quite a bit tougher than one might think. All the connectors look very strong and well put together. Next stop is to get a some primary wire in a variety of colors to take care of the install, build a housing for the D2 to fit in place of the stock cluster, and wire everything together. I forgot just how small the DL-1 is. It's about the size of two decks of cards stacked together so mounting should be a breeze. I'm thinking that a spot under the dash would be perfect.

I'll try to update with some pics as things come together...

Best,

Phil

Pics, pics, pics....

[noel_audio]

+1 on pics!

[charliex]

Yep hurry up phil, i was supposed to install this weekend, but i'm being whisked back to LA again to work on other peoples cars again

[turbophil]

Originally Posted by charliex

Yep hurry up phil, i was supposed to install this weekend, but i'm being whisked back to LA again to work on other peoples cars again

Man, I hear ya. Your tuning tasks are like some of our projects... Lately it seems like I'm always working on other peoples' cars. Fortunately it's fun to design, fabricate, and give fellow Loti family some fun stuff to play with

I did get a bit depressed this weekend about the 1/4" of dust on my Liz and the fact that it's still strung across two shop stalls for "R&D." It will feel REAL GOOD to actually do something constructive for her in the near term while we wait for clamhinge parts to come in...

I'm fresh out of sheet aluminum and need to pick some up to create the mounting system for the Dash2. It will probably be best to use a good junction block rather than soldering wires together for the internal/analog (ie. direct) connections to the dash (Fuel, speed, RPM, power, common ground, turn signals, high beam, and lights). This should make future changes and servicing cleaner/easier and still provide a secure signal. The data between the Dash2 and DL1 is via serial port and supplied cable.

The DL1 can use the inputs that go direct to the Dash2 and vise-versa. The idea here is to make the Dash2 have the ability to be a stand-alone and retain crucial street sensors in the event I have the DL-1 pulled... The alternative is to run all sensors through the DL1 and have the DL feed the Dash. That's fine as long as the DL1 is in the car... Can't imagine why I would ever need to pull the DL1, but I figure it's better to be safe now than sorry later, so I'll stick with wiring some sensors straight to the Dash2...

I'll post pics when I can.

Best,

Phil

[turbophil]

I just had a few seconds to snap some shots on the way to work this AM. I thought these would show how the Dash2 looks as well as the size of the DL-1 next to my cell phone and the two carrying cases. One each for the Dash and the DL-1...

I tore my dash apart to the point you see in the pics in litterally 5 minutes (still wearing my suit and tie while doing so)... Believe it or not, I didn't even break anything while doing it

I must say these are some sexy little units

Best,

Phil

[Dave]

Those pics are as close to porn as it gets! Anxious to see this progress!! Guess you know where you can pick up cheap electronic installation components

[turbophil]

Originally Posted by Dave

Those pics are as close to porn as it gets! Anxious to see this progress!! Guess you know where you can pick up cheap electronic installation components

Thank you sir. I'm excited. I'm actually putting a little cart together on your site now

Questions:
Does anyone have the pinouts handy for the lotus gauge cluster (not the CAN pinouts, but the big pack)? I'm quite certain I can sort through it with a MM, but it would sure be nice to have the pinouts to save some time

I also need some data points from the temp sensor. Specifically the voltage output and corresponding water temp readings. Charlie furnished me 4 points between 32 and 172 degrees and I have a decent formula that will probably work (I'll post my equation later for those who are wanting to do this with their own data loggers or external gauges), but it would be nice to have a handful more data points especially at higher temps to perfect the formula...

Best,

Phil

[turbophil]

I made some progress this evening and sorted the cluster pinouts. These are the signals that we can just tap into and obtain a signal unlike the CAN bus wires...

A1- ABS Speed Signal (tied to odometer, non CAN)
A2- Ground
A3- Fused IGN Power
A9- High Beam Indicator
A10- Alternator/Charging System light
A11- Left Turn Signal
A12-Right Turn Signal

B1-Brake Fluid/Parking Brake Indicator
B3-ABS Warning
B4-Seat Belt
B6-Parking Lamps (illuminates cluster when lights on)
B7-Alarm indicator via shift light
B8-Fused Power via Cabin fuse #3 (under dash)
B11-Warning Buzzer (tied to door open/close switch)
B12-SRS Airbag warning

Notice that Lotus ran both left and right signal wires to the dash and then added a relay in the cluster to eliminate a dedicated LT and RT signal indicator. Go figure

Also, this is the equation that will give your data loggers a decent read on water temp by tapping the signal of the stock water temp sending unit at the ECU. We could firm this up a bit with some more inputs (equation was built off only 4 data points), but this is close enough to identify a hot engine vs. one at normal temps (176F was one of the data points, thx CW)...

Temp= -3.64(x^3) + 27.87( x^2) - ( 87.43x ) + 115.21
Where x=volts

Hope that helps someone in the future and me this weekend

Best,

Phil

[charliex]

bit simpler -3.64(x-3.28566)((x-4.37093)x+9.63311)

[Dave]

So if we tie A1 to ground will that roll back the ODO?

That is a bit wacky going to the trouble to add a relay to save a turn lamp. I could use that distinction when driving home from keg/bachelor parties Is there also a relay on the shift/alarm light or is that fed before it reaches the cluster? PS: I checked and your goodies should be there today or Monday.

[turbophil]

Originally Posted by Dave

So if we tie A1 to ground will that roll back the ODO?

That is a bit wacky going to the trouble to add a relay to save a turn lamp. I could use that distinction when driving home from keg/bachelor parties Is there also a relay on the shift/alarm light or is that fed before it reaches the cluster? PS: I checked and your goodies should be there today or Monday.

You can give the trick with A1 a try and let me know how that goes

The turn lamp thing is wacky to me too. It's almost as if someone forgot to include the signals in the dash and had to improvise... It surely isn't a weight or space issue. I wouldn't think it's a cost issue either... Perhaps just a little from the Lotus creators

The D2 has a provision for both turn signals. I'll soon be the only lotus driver in town that knows which signal flasher is on, Whoo hoo

Yes there is a relay of sorts for the shift/alarm light to seperate the Alarm and shiftlight signals. The shiftlight signal comes through CAN obviously.

There appears to be two signals for wheel speed. One via CAN and the other comes from ABS controller and is analog. The Lotus service sheets indicate that CAN functions are:

Speedo
fuel
MIL
Oil Pres
Tach
Water T
Shift Light
Tire Pres

It makes no mention of the odo. I think the odo/trip get their signal via the ABS unit rather than CAN. I can see that the Speedo and odo are connected, but for what, I dunno. In any case, it would be real cool if there's a nice square wave signal on pin A1 to tap into for a speed signal to the D2... That would save running 1 wire from the ECU anyway Which leaves me with just 3 wires to run for the Dash2 in particular: Temp, RPM, Fuel Level. With those three I'll have an *accurate* version of what the car came with and the Dash will be able to stand alone.

Adding the DL-1 into the mix will bring a whole host of other sensors and display options into the mix

Best,

Phil