Go to Maplin, they have plenty of boxes you can mount it in. I am putting my one in the glove box. A black plastic enclosure box costs about £3

would look good replacing the ashtray, suppose im ok, dont smoke

excited to get my hands on one of these...

no chance of a HUD version is there?

Would be intrested in one too.

I would like to too. Should of bought one last time!

Not going to be a head-up version - but for info: the bare circuit board and display are 75mm by 45mm by approx 20mm deep. The display active area is 50mm by 25mm. This is slightly smaller than the earlier versions.

barnacle> Can the source-code be downloaded somewhere?

Looks good Barnacle! Is it possible to get oiltemp on 20vt from the ECU?

Source code and construction details for the MK1 are available here: http://www.circuitcellar.com/avr2006/winners/DE/AT2625.htm

You'll need to source different display and rewrite the driver code as required. It's modular, so not too difficult.

I'm not releasing the code for the MK4 yet

Oil temp is not an ECU function, so no reading available

Neil

What is the difference between MK1, 2 and 3?

Mk1 used the original larger displays with an electroluminescent display backlight which dims with age, and a serial port.

Mk2 - only two or three of those, I think - used a different display but was still serial port.

Mk3 - yet another display (in a couple of backlight variants), but with USB connection.

Mk4 - is currently under development; the screen has higher resolution that previous versions and it's a USB connection.

when are these going to be available to buy? Does the start up screen only disply 16v or can it be changed or even blank with just the pic of the car? I have a 20vt how do i know what engine it is or am i being thick?!!!!!

There's a description of its use in the FAQ section, which should save me writing it all out again but - the device is set by me before I ship it to the coupe type you've chosen, so for you I'd set it to 20vt and that's what the picture would be. The default is, of course, for the 16v since that's what I have.

It can also be changed using a terminal program on a laptop if it's in the car. It needs to be told what to talk to as there are three different protocols involved.

They're going to be a few weeks yet; I'm waiting for a batch of circuit boards from Bulgaria and once they're here I'll knock up a second prototype and run that for a while to make sure it behaves (as the code has changed a lot from the early versions to cope with the larger screen) and sort out the carbon fibre mounting plates.

Neil

Is there any chance that you can change the display of a MK1 to a MK4 display?

Not tidily; the holes don't line up. I'm using a MK1 board with the Mk4 display for testing, and the display is effectively held in with gaffer tape and elastic bands.

Im sure the is alot of excitement getting about these. Im guessing this will be a first come first serve basis?

Oh yes

yes so look back on the first page, oh and i should be near the top then

Will be keeping very close tabs here then, only heard great things

Would be annoying if you missed your 'now on sale post' only to end up at the back of a very long queue!

There is no formal list at this point - and there won't be, until I have completed the testing and worked out a price. Once that's done, I'll announce here and a couple of other places - probably the FAQ thread and in technical - with a pointer to a new thread with 'for saleness' about it.

That will likely be in either group buys (where the original sale threads were) or 'parts for sale' - depends what the other mods think is the best option.

When they're available, it will be a case of *first paid first served* - I've been bitten too often with folk being absolutely certain they want one, real soon now... leaving me with a pile of stock I can't sell in case they decide to buy it but costing me dosh in the meantime. I build them once I get the dosh because they're expensive and this is not my day job; I'm not a factory that can afford to tool up and make thousands in advance...

But... I've just been advised that the first circuit boards are on their way from Bulgaria.

* Please Lord, let thy Barnacle list these widgets for sale when I'm not working. Have mercy on those who don't access Fccuk during their working hours - thank you*

Haha Theresa, i bet it all goes live and i am at work not even knowing that these babies are going. Barnacle can i give you a nice backhander to secure my widget status at the top

I am following this with eagle eyes as its a fantastic idea and very beneficial to the coupe.

Ash

same here thats what im worried about, they get posted up and im at work, come in log on and they are gone

And while we wait for the Mk IV boards to get here, I have been working on the MK V: http://www.avrfreaks.net/modules/PNphpBB2/files/p3300043_723.jpg

It's a little larger than the previous versions but it has a lot of advantages:

- bluetooth connectivity
- wifi updates (or use it for drive-by checking of email)
- full colour display up to 14" diagonal
- voice warning of faults, in your choice of iambic pentameter, or haiku:

- uses the new 'Sofia Proll' format for advanced engine analysis
- auxiliary sensors permit testing of systems not normally available, e.g. exhaust colour, passenger terror level, time to next breakdown
- manages all car systems to ensure e.g. that the spare is flat, the jack is missing, and the locking wheel nut remover is still at quickfit

I need only to reduce the ninety amps or so it takes and get the size down for better packaging. Shouldn't take more than a year or so...

Neil

^^^ PMSL - nice one Neil.

Now only if it could do all that. Time to next breakdown (Monday morning Lay in)

Well I managed to overclock my widget last week. The results are amazing !!

I will post up results later but I am generally seeing a 10% increase in performance. Have tried to increase the front side bus voltage to +9.4 volts but its becoming a little unstable. My friend has offered me some 400mhz memory for a reasonable price. Once that is fitted I reckon I could get at least another 5% on top of what I have already.

Neil I have fitted the prototype this morning but on the 20VT is it possible to get the Home Service?

what a wonderful Haiku - nice one!