BCM Gauge Battery Data Display

[faxe]

Still waiting for my LCD's to arrive, will report as soon as hooked up.


Peter, in an earlier post you wrote:

" Note the lcd connections carefully here in this high res pic. Also the LCD cable screen is connected to ground only at the gauge pcb end not the lcd end."


What is the reason for this.

[retepsnikrep]

Originally Posted by faxe

Peter, in an earlier post you wrote:

" Note the lcd connections carefully here in this high res pic. Also the LCD cable screen is connected to ground only at the gauge pcb end not the lcd end."

What is the reason for this.

This avoids what is known as a 'ground loop'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_(electricity)

Ground loop problems and how to get rid of them

[E27006]

Originally Posted by retepsnikrep

Just checked the sparkfun code for the LCD and


So it should be on and at maximum brightness. The V1 BCM gauge code does not effect the backlight. Mark Perhaps your lcd unit has a problem?

Please can others report on this possible issue ASAP. Do your LCD's work? Is backlight on? .

I have mine working on the Bench, not yet in the Car.

I purchased the White characters on Black background version of the Display.

Powering on the gauge the Backlight would give one bright pulse then turn off, after a few restarts the light changed behaviour, it began to stay on all the time.

Adjusting VR1 on the LCD Pcb has the proper effect on the Display,

I think the Display is lazy when fresh from the Box, I will report again if I have any more problems

[retepsnikrep]

Thanks Malcolm please keep the reports coming.

If people want to try a different make / model serial display which operates at say 2400 baud then let me know, the code can re re-compiled for that very quickly. There are lots of different types on the market.

[MN Driver]

I was looking through various options and was looking for a reflective screen version so the backlight wasn't necessary or minimally necessary(such as at night). It turns out for the price I'm going to go with the Sparkfun black on green because it is the only display with a reflective backing that supports the 5v serial connection that I could find, everything else was either more expensive than I was willing to put into it or they were not as compact. I also figured I might as well follow the pack because we know the Sparkfun is compatible for sure.

[retepsnikrep]

I have added a couple more instructions to force the LCD backlight on for the V1 software, I'll make this available for download in a couple of days when i have tested it. You will need the USB programmer if you already have the gauge kit. It will be interesting to see who/how many have the backlight issues. Please report back as soon as you get them installed.

Malcolm do you have the complete system working on the bench or just the lcd? Presumably if you have the complete thing on the bench it shows the splash screens and then sits there waiting for some data from the BCM.

[NorthwestIL]

Sounds great! I would certainly be up as a beta tester/early adopter.
I do not know what I would do with the information.
My 2001 has 282, 000 on it; averaging 51 MPG. No major repair till last week when the dealer wanted to do a 277, ooo tune up for $500. (Add$ 1600 for fixing my ac) not good because they did not look at my brakes which loc up and that cost me another $700 from a Napa repair place. So I am getting a little gun shy.

[JimIsbell]

I got my display today, and it will fit perfectly just above the pull out drawer next to the door (US Model) in the two left "switch" holes and that leaves the right hole for the toggle switch.

[retepsnikrep]

Jim et al can you post some pics of this mounting spot in US cars. Thanks

[E27006]

Originally Posted by retepsnikrep

Malcolm do you have the complete system working on the bench or just the lcd? Presumably if you have the complete thing on the bench it shows the splash screens and then sits there waiting for some data from the BCM.

The Gauge is on the Bench, LCD and the Gauge PCb connected, I get both Splashscreens, Sparkfun and www.150mpg.com until the display blanks waiting for BAttsci data

No further problem with the Backlight, it stays permanently lit.

I have downloaded SerialPlayer, please may I have one of the Insight BattSci files for a PC to Gauge test?

I have the USB-RS485 adaptor for the PC, as recommended in the very early days of the Battsci/Mettsci project

best wishes,

malcolm