- Thread starter cardiffrob
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cardiffrob
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Cripes, Andy. You've been busy! Top geezer.
I haven't even received the parcels of bits yet so I've only had a read of a few internet books on the subject. A few browses of Ebay show quite a lot of other items that could be adapted to work via the Arduino (as we said in the PMs) so I'm fast becoming a believer. I've got my eye on some water temp and oil pressure sensors which are 2 areas of the Austin that cause trouble.
You're gonna have to think of a name for the design since you put in so much work.
Optima21. Do you have any more pics or specs of that gadget? Looks like a clever idea.
I haven't even received the parcels of bits yet so I've only had a read of a few internet books on the subject. A few browses of Ebay show quite a lot of other items that could be adapted to work via the Arduino (as we said in the PMs) so I'm fast becoming a believer. I've got my eye on some water temp and oil pressure sensors which are 2 areas of the Austin that cause trouble.
You're gonna have to think of a name for the design since you put in so much work.
Optima21. Do you have any more pics or specs of that gadget? Looks like a clever idea.
its just an electronic module to replace the points and condenser in a distributor
http://www.simonbbc.com/electronic-ignition-kits/25d-powerspark-electronic-ignition-kit-for-the-mini
from here
http://www.simonbbc.com/
http://www.simonbbc.com/electronic-ignition-kits/25d-powerspark-electronic-ignition-kit-for-the-mini
from here
http://www.simonbbc.com/
cardiffrob
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Great! The box of bits has arrived (from China 
) but there are bits missing such as resistors and the LEDs. Not very well assembled with the terminal blocks not pushed down tight before soldering. Needless to say, the vendor is already fobbing me off by requiring me to photograph the missing items. Duh!
Confucious says "Buy Chinese, buy twice".
) but there are bits missing such as resistors and the LEDs. Not very well assembled with the terminal blocks not pushed down tight before soldering. Needless to say, the vendor is already fobbing me off by requiring me to photograph the missing items. Duh! Confucious says "Buy Chinese, buy twice".
ajlelectronics
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Well Rob, I have now got the serial LCD and the sensor inputs for oil and water working. I have to know what the sensor characteristics will be before I can calibrate it. I have also got a Nano to make the final unit as small as possible.
I'm now at the stage of deciding how to signal alerts....
1) Completely invisible unit with audio tones for alert.
2) As above, but a single LED for alerts.
3) LCD panel on a flylead with instantaneous readings.
4) Speech synthesiser alerts and LCD panel. Backlight comes on during alert.
Or some combination of them all.
I'm now at the stage of deciding how to signal alerts....
1) Completely invisible unit with audio tones for alert.
2) As above, but a single LED for alerts.
3) LCD panel on a flylead with instantaneous readings.
4) Speech synthesiser alerts and LCD panel. Backlight comes on during alert.
Or some combination of them all.
ajlelectronics
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Oh and Confucious also say "man who pee into wind, get it all back".
ajlelectronics
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Various methods. You need to sense the rotation of a pulley, or maybe the signal on the W terminal of the alternator, although that's apparently not so reliable. You can use a reflecting sensor that looks for a spot of white paint, a magnetic sensor, or you can interrupt a IR beam. Without seeing the engine it's difficult be give you a definite solution.
Bill Edwards
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Another method:
http://www.tinytach.com/tinytach.php
http://www.tinytach.com/tinytach.php
cardiffrob
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I've got one of these coming for me to play about with. I'm halfway through the Arduino book and it seems that all these cheap sensors are just crying out to be played with.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/391012283850?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Drill a suitable sized hole in the flywheel and insert a strong magnet (forgotten the designation of them) as a trigger. The same sort of thing is used on my aeroplane engine. The computing logic behind it seems quite straight forwards but you need plenty of experience to get it working just right.
All you need is to borrow Andy (AJLElectronics) for a while.
Andy. I have one of these coming, too. I'm hoping that it has the potential to work. Might be easy to stuff this past a rubber hose and down into the cylinderhead of the Seven?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251777792795?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Rather novel 1920s temp gauge that I saw. Rad cap had a pussycat emblem on it with the tail raised. When the engine boiled over it forced boiling water through a drilling that exited under the tail, making the pussycat pee over the windscreen.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/391012283850?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Drill a suitable sized hole in the flywheel and insert a strong magnet (forgotten the designation of them) as a trigger. The same sort of thing is used on my aeroplane engine. The computing logic behind it seems quite straight forwards but you need plenty of experience to get it working just right.
All you need is to borrow Andy (AJLElectronics) for a while.
Andy. I have one of these coming, too. I'm hoping that it has the potential to work. Might be easy to stuff this past a rubber hose and down into the cylinderhead of the Seven?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251777792795?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Rather novel 1920s temp gauge that I saw. Rad cap had a pussycat emblem on it with the tail raised. When the engine boiled over it forced boiling water through a drilling that exited under the tail, making the pussycat pee over the windscreen.
ajlelectronics
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Little update...
I have developed the code a bit further and now have analogue sensing of temperature, fuel level, OAT, humidity and oil pressure. They will appear on a 20x4 LCD that I intend to graft into a Kitten's (by Smiths) fuel/temp gauge case. I will probably use a push button under the dash somewhere to switch "pages" of info.
I can get everything into the case easily by using a Nano Arduino, I just need to fabricate a bezel and find a good way to secure everything.
I have developed the code a bit further and now have analogue sensing of temperature, fuel level, OAT, humidity and oil pressure. They will appear on a 20x4 LCD that I intend to graft into a Kitten's (by Smiths) fuel/temp gauge case. I will probably use a push button under the dash somewhere to switch "pages" of info.
I can get everything into the case easily by using a Nano Arduino, I just need to fabricate a bezel and find a good way to secure everything.
Wendelspanswick
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Pictures?
ajlelectronics
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I am busy cocking up the housing as we speak!
The test bed is still all on breadboards, but this is the start of the Nano build...
The test bed is still all on breadboards, but this is the start of the Nano build...
cardiffrob
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"OMG" doesn't quite cover it!
I have read 90% of "Arduino for Dummies", have made an LED flash on demand and have got as far as fixing some Neodymium magnets to a small 3V motor whilst awaiting my latching and non-latching Hall-effect sensors. I've developed a greatly increased appreciation of the genius required to make these things work. Andy, are you sure you aren't Chinese???
You might have a little 'business opportunity' there?
I have read 90% of "Arduino for Dummies", have made an LED flash on demand and have got as far as fixing some Neodymium magnets to a small 3V motor whilst awaiting my latching and non-latching Hall-effect sensors. I've developed a greatly increased appreciation of the genius required to make these things work. Andy, are you sure you aren't Chinese???
You might have a little 'business opportunity' there?
ajlelectronics
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Well what do you want to buy? ;-)
I can sell the software with source code
A programmed Arduino
Complete unit built to spec....
Just as an aside, the fuel gauge sender for the Kitten has a resistance range of 15R empty, to 275R full. I need to whip out the temp sender now and calibrate that. I am going to incorporate the interior lights into the computer and then I can do intelligent courtesy lighting etc. Also, a low fuel and ice warning indication becomes easy to add.
I have had the prototype working on the Kitten, so happy that my isolation interface is doing what it should. Couldn't test for long as it was too cold to open the workshop doors!
I can sell the software with source code
A programmed Arduino
Complete unit built to spec....
Just as an aside, the fuel gauge sender for the Kitten has a resistance range of 15R empty, to 275R full. I need to whip out the temp sender now and calibrate that. I am going to incorporate the interior lights into the computer and then I can do intelligent courtesy lighting etc. Also, a low fuel and ice warning indication becomes easy to add.
I have had the prototype working on the Kitten, so happy that my isolation interface is doing what it should. Couldn't test for long as it was too cold to open the workshop doors!
ajlelectronics
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cardiffrob
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I'm going to persevere for a while to see if I can teach myself a bit of coding but will definitely call you if I crap out.
One 'random' thought that wormed its way into my head was "Hall-effect sensor - Arduino - stepper motor - Revcounter with piece of Meccano as the needle and facia.
Anyway, one other 'avenue' that might be worth exploring is homebuilt aircraft which need ultra-lightweight instruments. SSDR category aircraft must be under 300kg when full so your concept might work well for them.
A system that measured air temp and pressure could be used to 'predict' the presence of carb icing and relay a heater element on. I have a simple fridge thermometer probe in my carb to do the same but it isn't automated (and therefore not failsafe).
How good is the oil pressure sensor? The A7 runs at between 10psi (cold, running) to 1psi (hot, most of the time).
As they say, the world is limitless with these gadgets!
One 'random' thought that wormed its way into my head was "Hall-effect sensor - Arduino - stepper motor - Revcounter with piece of Meccano as the needle and facia.
Anyway, one other 'avenue' that might be worth exploring is homebuilt aircraft which need ultra-lightweight instruments. SSDR category aircraft must be under 300kg when full so your concept might work well for them.
A system that measured air temp and pressure could be used to 'predict' the presence of carb icing and relay a heater element on. I have a simple fridge thermometer probe in my carb to do the same but it isn't automated (and therefore not failsafe).
How good is the oil pressure sensor? The A7 runs at between 10psi (cold, running) to 1psi (hot, most of the time).
As they say, the world is limitless with these gadgets!
ajlelectronics
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Oil pressure sender that will suit you is here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/15psi-Press...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item27cea17b49
I have started building the Nano version and have found that the 20 x 4 LCD will not fit, so it's back to the 16 x 2.
Shouldn't be a problem to create a carb ice sensor and anything else all in a lightweight device.
I have started building the Nano version and have found that the 20 x 4 LCD will not fit, so it's back to the 16 x 2.
Shouldn't be a problem to create a carb ice sensor and anything else all in a lightweight device.
ajlelectronics
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