Inexpensive DIY OBDII equipment, finally?

[theholycow]

http://hackaday.com/2009/05/12/obd-i...-data-logging/

[Avi Aisenberg] sent us his final project for ece 4760. His team built and OBD-II data interface. Even though OBD-II is an industry standard, each manufacturer has implemented it differently. This is where this project shines. They have built it to be capable of talking to any of them. Not only that, but it has a nice backlit LCD screen for diagnosing issues without having to go back to your computer and downloading the data. If you really don’t need all the bells and whistles, you can make one for roughly $15. They even have an OBD-II app for the iPhone.

That uses the usual ELM chip (and their finished product looks just like a ScanGauge), but...The "make one for roughly $15" link:
http://hackaday.com/2007/11/07/inexp...d-2-interface/

OBD-II became the mandatory I/O diagnostic port on cars starting around 1996 in the US. Considering that the interface consists of a couple of I/O lines, serial/usb adapters have been ridiculously expensive for quite a while – especially newer USB versions. [Renan] sent in this PIC18F2450 OBD-II interface. The designer says he can provide boards for just over $6 and programmed PICs if there’s interest. The chip is a few dollars, and everything else is pretty cheap too. Need to work on your car? This thing will cost $15 or so. I think I just might have to burn out a board on my mill later.

[GasSavers_maximilian]

On a related note my $87 Kiwi MPG arrives today.

Rats.

[GasSavers_maximilian]

OK, I looked a bit closer, and the no screen kit of complete parts with the PC board is $45 from them. I feel a bit better now...

"we must uphold the highest standards of research and development as set forth by the IEEE Code of Ethics."

We EEs are supposed to have a code of ethics? At least I didn't need to take an oath!

[GasSavers_BEEF]

but if you buy one kit, you can simply go to mouser or technitools (generic parts vendor) and order more at the cheaper prices.

I guess that throws ethics out the window

[GasSavers_maximilian]

I was just trying to do a more apples to apples comparison (at least I hope my Kiwi is no assembly required...). I couldn't seem to find anything on the price of the screened one yet. Must be too recent. Or I'm an idiot.

[dkjones96]

I may actually do this project(as though I need another one, I just picked up a 1938 Philco AM radio to restore, i have two headphone amps to finish, an audio DAC to build, an ADC scope for the computer, and a tube/solid-state hybrid amp to begin building since i bought all the parts).

You can pick up some VERY sweet LCD displays for use with these controllers. Theirs is very, very boring. But Crystalfontz makes some nice displays. I've planned on using their displays before but the project just became so stupidly expensive that I abandoned it lol.

I personally like this one.

[dkjones96]

In case anyone was having trouble finding it here is the site for the computer based one. It's $45 and a whooping $1 shipping in the US and $3 to Canada. While a cheaper one can be had on eBay pre-made. This is American!

http://www.obddiag.net/products.html

The version with the screen, the one I'm interested in, is here:

http://courses.cit.cornell.edu/ee476...a66/index.html

[GasSavers_maximilian]

I just realized this morning that their setup could be a great starting point for actually doing the control system LED bar graph display I posted about once. Couldn't use their PC board and may have to move to a different chip, but that doesn't seem so tough, assuming the pic line shares a lot between models. Never used them, personally. I don't care about seeing raw data much, myself. Maybe a couple extra warning lights would be nice.