We are looking at the viability of this project. Our race team is working on developing an LCD display for the Haltech E6K ECU, and we are trying to find out if this would be of interest to any other Haltech users. It would look very similair to the Pi and Motec LCD displays and have all the various functions. bar graph RPM read out multi light shift light and warning lights. this could replace all the mechanical gauges in the car. it would plug directly into the ECU and would not need any other sensors. also as a companion to the display we are looking to have a wireless interface to the engine output page of the programing software, so the engine could be monitored from the pits. no need to datalog to a laptop inside the car, just broadcast it back to the pits. the estimated price for the display is $700 and the wireless serial connection is estimated to cost $1000. If anyone is interested please email me at tim@wanaboo.com . at this time we do not have any pictures or other specs. we are in the preliminary stages, but I will try to get a drawing of the display very soon. any suggestions would be appreciated

 

yes, I want one

 

So what you are saying is one could adjust the haltech from the pits too? Now that would be cool to datalog and make minor adjustments without even being in the car.

 

Sounds very intreasting, when you say it replaces all mechanical gauges would it fit in the gauge bay there is now? or would it fit somewhere else?

 

yes, it would be as if the car was connected to a very long serial cable. you could monitor and adjust just like when it is on a chassis dyno, realtime.

It is not specificly designed to replace the OEM gauge pod but depending on the size it may be able to fit in the same spot. it can display all the information that the oem gauges show and more. as for packaging it will be very similair to the Pi and Motec displays. or could be an addition to the oem setup like people do with A-pillar mount gauges and center console gauges.

 

I was considering Stack instruments. What advantage would yours have? Stack would be about 1200 bux set up for my car. I guess if you can get it done I'll buy one.

Steve

 

at almost half the money that would be the big advantage, but also ours may be small enough to mount to a steering wheel and have a more modern readout. otherwise it would perform very similairly.

 

my god, having it mounted in the steering wheel would be dope and i would Have to get one

 

Damn. I would be forced to buy one also. I am broke enough. Please don't make these.

 

considering it only for E6K or for E11 too ?

 

the initial specs and build sheet will make the unit almost completely universal, so yes in a way it would be compatible with the E11(the E11 is already compatible with LCD dash systems from other manufacturers). we have an interest in making it E6K compatible because that is the ECU we use on two of our race cars, and we are trying to work with Haltech to make this a very easy to use unit with any Haltech ECU. we are trying to gauge interest since it does take some serious money to get this started. we will hopefully have some specs soon.

 

ONLY if it's reverse LCD backlit!
I still have my MoTeC ADL fund going, but I'm kinda disappointed at their lighting system...



-Ted

 

I guess I thought they were all reverse light. We are looking at all the variables, so I will check and see what our spec is at the moment. I know we specified backlighting and viewing angle. the Motec ADL style is what we are looking for with some improvements and more flexibility.

 

I would prefer if it was VFD. I have problems with LCD parts in my car in the summer time. Interior temps get up to high to have them work properly. Plus you can get VFD in orange to match the stock dash lights.

 

spec for operating temps is 135*C so interior temps should be fine. remember this is being built for track duty race cars so the street applications should not be a problem. as for the orange screen these are just to expensive for our budget. may be it could be an option later on down the line. I believe the spec is the blue back light, but we will have all the specs soon.

 

hah, i am in the same boat and sinking a little to fast


This product seems very intreasting, now would you beable to view a majority of the readouts at the same time or would i ahve to cycle though screens?

Do you have any sketches of what the preposted readout would look like? if so could you post them here or email them to me at Crack_head_mel@hotmail.com

Thanks again

 

some of the basics will be displayed all the time and several will be setup by the owner. As soon as sketchs are available I will email everyone who has expressed intrest.

 

Alrighty, sounds good to me

 

I would like to see what you have thus far.

PM me the info.

Mike

 

Mike,

so far we have logged a couple hundred emails and phone calls trying figure out a way to get this done. we want to make this as user friendly as possible so the software programing is going to have to be good. this has been taking alot of our time and this is not our full time job. we have someone to build custom LCD screens and display cards, another company to build the interface box, an a local programer is being located. we are finalising the specs for the sensors and trying to get the approval and info from Haltech. a prototype should be started soon and I hope to have an artist's sketch of the unit soon. here are the specs I have so far.

Application:
Automotive instrument panel(dash). All connectors should be automotive grade or better. Enclosure will be sourced seperately. Dash should have a minimum of 6 input channels and 16 input channels would be prefered. Dash size should be 5-6 inches by 2-3 inches. curved display would be prefered but rectangular shape is acceptable. curved readout would be prefered, but alternates will be considered. should have backlight and be 6 and 12 clock viewable.

Specs:
- ECU Control Software stored in updateable FLASH memory
-Quality Standard ISO 9002
-Billet Aluminum Housing "controller or interface"
-Sampling rate 25Mhz
-Operating Temp 40 to 150 degrees C
-Must have noise reduction components
-Power supply 12VDC automotive power source
-Voltage conditioning needed
-appropriate connectors for input channels: depends on number of channels available
-case mounted LED's for shift lights and alarm functions
-momentary push buttons for backlight, reset, and other normal operating functions

Desktop Software:
- Windows version 95 and above "V.B script?"
- Input selection: I.E "serial only, serial plus 3 channels etc..."
- User defined channels ie; water temp, oil temp, voltage, etc(automotive uses)
- User defined range for channels(to accomodate most common sensors)
- User defined AUX functions
- Alarm function that blinks readout and lights case mounted LED
- Alarm setpoints to be user defined
- RPM range should be user define between 0-16,000RPM, reads on screen from 0-10,000rpm for example
-User defined shift light sequence that lights case mounted LED's in sequence, ie; 1st green at 6000rpm, 2nd green at 6100rpm, 3rd green at 6200rpm, 1st orange at 6300rpm, and red lights and holds above 6400rpm then all cleared at 6000rpm.
-Serial connection to interface with Haltech Engine Control Unit (ECU) comunication protocol will be supplied if available from Haltech otherwise this option will be deleted

Documentation:
-Technical instructions for manufacturing and Tech support
-Consumer instruction on how to install, connector details for wiring
-Complete wiring diagram and component part list
-Software manual

 

plans for prototype continue. any other suggestions? thanks again for everyone who responded

 

whats going on with this project? its been almost a month now, any progress?

 

It is still continuing but interest has been very low. And some of the support neccessary to connect it to the Haltech is still being negotiated. all the pieces have been lined up and sources have been found, but we would need a few more interested parties to make it work. the numbers are this: we would need to make an intial run of 20-30 units to offset the cost of programming and design work. we have had about 20-30 people interested so far. this is just not enough for us to spend $3000 to $5000 to build the prototype. if we had interest from a couple hundred people we would take the chance that 20 would buy it when finished. if anything changes I will post it here.

 

Hey Tim,

Have you attempted to contact other-than-rotary Haltech groups/forums to gauge gobal Haltech audience interest? This may provide a sufficiently large "market" to offset developement cost. Definintely trying to "keep the dream alive!

Flyin, Racin, and Buildin Rotary Beasts,
Carlos A. Iglesias

 

yes, we have gone beyond the RX7 Haltech users, even to Haltech directly. Interest has just not been good enough to commit the money needed. maybe when the world economy gets back on its feet I can afford to build one for myself.