OBDIIC&C Gauge

[retepsnikrep]

Originally Posted by sharpmj

Anyone know the best place to source all the parts for putting the OBDII C&C together. I have the PCB OBD plug and switch already.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...tTnRwc1E#gid=0

[davenm]

I finished fabrication and assembly of the mount for my gauge today. The design and location criteria included:

*Not on the dashboard or windshield to avoid melting in the sun, blocking forward vision, interfering with placement/removal of sun shade and not as readily visible to thieves looking to smash window(s) to steal what they think is a GPS.
*No or minimal drilling or use of adhesives to attach mount to car.
*Prefer display and lean burn LED at least within peripheral vision.
*Avoid location that blocks regularly-used controls and any heater vent.
*Easy to either move mount with gauge attached or remove gauge when parked in high-risk areas to minimize opportunity for theft.
*Leave at least one cupholder free for daily use. Other cupholder should not be completely blocked.
*Minimize chance of gauge and mount becoming projectile hazard in collision.

Until I made a mount, I had the gauge sitting on the cupholder area and (tried) to keep it from sliding around with twist ties, one of them tied to the 12V outlet cover.



A mount utilizing the cupholder seemed to meet my criteria, but the commercial ones I found did not have arms or other means of getting the gauge elevated as high as I wanted and almost all of them completely blocked the cupholder. I came across microphone goosenecks as a viable option for the height and flexibility and set about making something that would fit in a cupholder, keep its space somewhat useable and firmly hold the gooseneck. It turns out that a driveshaft in the metal pile was nearly the perfect diameter. The cupholders are slightly tapered, so after cutting off a piece of driveshaft I machined some steps to reduce the diameter and welded on a tab to hold the gooseneck. The gooseneck threads are 5/8-27 and since this is not a common bolt thread, I got an adapter to 3/8-16 for the base and tapped the ID of the other end to 7/16-20. The L-shaped tab engages with the mounting plate on the back of the gauge.







continued in next post

[davenm]

Assembled, painted flat black and test-fit in a cupholder. Taper is just about right, and it is a firm press fit.



The mounting plate that attaches to the back of the gauge box is a sandwich of metal plates, the slot being the same thickness as the L tab. Welded up the sandwich, painted it and attached to the gauge.





The finished product, moved to the right cupholder.



a few more pics in next post

[davenm]

After some adjustments, it is in the right spot. I can easily get to the radio and climate control
buttons I use most frequently and the nighttime glow is just about right.







If, after road testing, the gooseneck is still too flexible, I will add a piece of
1/4 inch copper tubing inside it to stiffen it up. The gooseneck length is 13".
Total parts cost was about $10. This was a fun project.

[eq1]

90 degrees? You sure like your cabin temps hot.

Just kidding. Nice work.

[Gadget01]

Nice fab work. It has a nice, professional appearance. My only critique might be the weight since the materials appear to be mostly steel, but that probably helps stabilize it. It would be really cool to have it as a Corvette-style heads-up display, but putting the unit on the dashboard has undesirable effects as you mentioned.

[Willie Williford]

Good job. The only negative thing that I see, is that (I watch the gauge like a hawk).
With the gauge mounted in that position and watching it, the human reaction is to "drift" in that direction.
That's why my vacuum/boost gauge is mounted on the dash above the steering wheel view.
(My case at least)
Fabrication is fun though,

Willie
Good job though and your preference.

[TopFuelTim]

Nice work on the cupholder mount.

Tim

[davenm]

Originally Posted by eq1

90 degrees? You sure like your cabin temps hot.

Just kidding. Nice work.

Today was the first day it got above freezing in about a week and my toes are finally warming up. I do not always have the heat cranked this high.

[eq1]

I presume this is most unlikely, but I'm wondering if it would ever be possible for the OBDIIC&C to have a 'disable background charge' feature? I know one can use a calpod switch to do it manually, but this is pretty cumbersome.

My car kicks in a background charge at 65% SoC like clockwork, and keeps charging until SoC goes above 70%. This seems unnecessary. I'd prefer to use the battery pack in the mid-range as much as possible, but the background charge makes that difficult...