ZRATED is a mate of mine and has suggested I post this here... Expressions of interest required for a production run of temperature displays... Over the last 6-12 months, I have been building an In-Car temperature display for myself that displays multiple (4) temperatures in real time. I have recently decided to redesign this unit which I intend to make available as an actual kit for your car. Pic of assembled kit : Installed in car (this has an old facia design) : It has the following features : - Displays temperatures of up to 200 degC for 3 of the temperatures - Displays temperature of up to 1000degC for fourth temperature (for EGT values) - Accuracy of +/- 1-2degC over small range and +/- 5degC over large range - Fast temperature response; Updates the values several times per second - Large numbers in a backlit LCD (easy to read at night) - Fits into standard DIN slot (underneath stereo) and uses Nissan and Toyota mounting holes for fitting - Peak temperature value display for all 4 temperatures - Peak values can also be reset on-the-go - Configurable alarms limits for two of the four temperatures. Can turn alarms off or set their alarm limits - Ultra-bright (4000mcd) 10mm Red LED and buzzer activated when alarm limits reached or exceeded - All configuration via 3 menu/function buttons on front display facia - Utilises standard K-Type thermocouples (K-Type ONLY) screwed into the back of unit - Powered from 12V from car - Professionally fabricated circuit board & metal case (NOT a backyard job) Note : This unit is designed to display temperatures ONLY and I do not intend on modifying it to display other parameters eg. boost levels, voltages, injector duty cycles etc What you wish to measure is only up to thermocouple mounting possibilities (Ambient, Intake, Before/After intercooler, coolant, oil, turbo, exhaust gas, fuel, head/block, engine bay) Work necessary after receiving the kit : Since the front of the stereo/DIN slots are slightly different sizes in some cars, the front facia (made of thin 0.6mm sheet metal) will need to be trimmed down to the size of your cars DIN slot face before attaching to the main bracket. For some cars it does not have to be trimmed as it sits neatly behind the plastic dash cover. Also, due to the variability of what temperatures people want to measure, a Word document/template and an adhesive sheet will be provided so you can modify the front facia label with anything you want - (text labels only, pictures, logos, watermarks etc). You need to print this on the adhesive, attach it on the front panel and cover with clear adhesive film. I have has this display installed in my car for at least 6 months now and I find it much more useful and subtle than analog gauges sitting on the dash/A-Pillar I need at least 10-15 people to be interested in this unit and pay a deposit to make a small production run worthwhile as I need to get the circuit boards and case professionally fabricated. I initially require a couple of people here in Perth as beta-testers for a week or so before I release it to everyone else. These Perth based people will get a 25% discount for being my guinea pigs Price will be $395 for the bare unit (without thermocouple probes) I can organise to supply high temperature (up to 1000degC) K-Type thermocouple probes with 2.5m 310SS stainless steel braided cable for $25ea (retail price is normally $40+) and brass compression mounting gland for $3ea for anyone that requires them. Places like Jaycar sell very basic thermocouples for ~$13 (not recommended for higher temperatures as it will damage the exposed wiring) and RS Components/Farnell have a good range of K-type thermocouples (although not as cheap as $25). Also, if there is enough interest, I may be able to supply washer thermocouples for mounting to eg turbo flange bolts/ oil sump plugs for around the same price. Lead time of the kits will be approx 1 month once I have confirmation of numbers and deposits and will be dependant on the bracket, circuit board fabricators and beta testing. Email me at Alan.Mears@honeywell.com or PM me if you are interested and whether you'll need any thermocouples/glands
Welcome to the forums Alan... I've seen this baby in action and it's quite impressive... very professional fit too... 8) Sure does beat the ~$1200 i've spent on 4 defi gauges and control unit! heheheh here are the pics just incase it doesn't work through imageshack... Oh and note the top pic is the real deal... the bottom one was his first prototype...
Thanks! For anyone who is more interested in the functionality of the unit, here is a link to a User/Installation Manual which I have written for it. User Manual. Note that it's not 100% complete, as I will be adding a few photos of the fascia later. -Alan
i like the idea .. and the price is probably fine .. but with the extras (thermocouple probes) and installation just a bit exxy for me.. good luck with the initiative ....
It's a pity your not in Perth. I am offering a 25% discount for a few people in Perth who want to be a guinea pig for testing my programming code before final release. Oh and btw - The unit comes with a 6 month warranty for defects and faults.
looks good > is a nice unit no quite where id like to have something like that mounted thou, for my use if it was closer to the speedo so can be easy to keep an eye on when out at the track id go for one
It actually wouldn't be hard to extend the wiring from the main circuit board to a small box say on the steering wheel surround. All the buttons and display are plugged in using headers/terminals which makes it easy. Although that's what the alarms are for - to let you know when things are getting too hot instead of having to keep an eye on them all the time.
I really like the look of this unit the light warning feature is what you really need for the track days. personally though, there are probably other things I need to get first, but definately a nice unit. good work.
Hi are you using the exsisting ecu sensors or are you intending to mount additional sensors ? regards Rodney
Website moved A dedicated site http://www.mearcat.com.au is now available for all my electronic kits & gauge pods. Any links to old site will be redirected anyway
A new revision of this kit is now available and suits twin turbo cars. - 2 of the 4 temperatures can now read up to 1000degC - Alarms for all four temperatures. - Backlighting control - Price is now a lower $350.
Price upadte Sorry - The price quoted above is slightly wrong. I have managed to source some much cheaper suppliers for the thermocouple so the price is now: $350 with ALL thermocouples included. black baz - PM on it's way...
