Reyanth
Fascinated Member
- Mar 19, 2022
- 21
- 85
I was bored one day and I decided to start a arduino project for the GR. I really wanted to get a display to show gear position (and yes, I know this can be done via can bus) but, I really wanted to use something mechanical and with more faster response.
So, I did some research how tackle to extract gear position information and ended up with a hastily thrown idea with hall sensors. As the GR's shifter works with two wires, it was simple enough to transfer that movement into two linear axles... so to say...
I also needed something with deal with the information from the hall sensors and ended up choosing and old Arduino Nano v.3 I had laying around. First it was only suppose to be only a gear position display, buuut... the idea ended up growing a bit. And I didn't have any idea how to make the Arduino do what I wanted it to do.
So I went into the internet and learned some c++.
After a week or two, some early stage ideas of how it might look:
I managed to get the code into a point that it was actually working at least somewhat like I wanted it to. I had 5 hall sensors, two measuring vertical position, two measuring horizontal position and one for reverse gear. Now I had the means to to tell the Arduino what gear I was in... thru' math.
Some testing vid: IG: HERE
Skipping a little, I made a bracket for two linear potentiometers which I connected to the shifter wiring with some rods.. Glued couple magnets onto the potentiometers which move "in fashion" depending on which gear you're in. Some magic happens in Arduino and it throws the gear on a display.
Video where the mechanism is seen in operation: IG: shifter mech
I cleaned the shifter stuff a little and made a small bracket for the display and installed it all in the car. IG: shift position display in operation
Well, like said before.. the idea kind of grew.. I really liked the idea of 3 screens but it was getting a bit too fiddly to get 3 displays working with the A-Nano. I did some research again and went to the internet to ordered some upgrades.
The new idea was to replace the Nano with Mega, add a multiplexer to run more than 2 displays and a can bus reader to able to import the data from the can for the Arduino.
The new plan and some prototyping:
At this point, I really wanted to be able to print my own 3D cases etc. parts needed for the project so I managed to score used Prusa i3 MK3S printer from a bud. Of course I didn't know anything about 3D printing or even 3D modelling so... I had to go to the internet again....
After few days or so, here is where I am currently:
There is still power / ground distribution module missing from the "box", and I need to do some wiring etc to connect it all up.. Also the Arduino code still lacks the part "fetch can bus data" and "turn it into a readable stuff on displays". Also the triple display set is going to need a own new housing, which I need to 3D model up. I also need to decide am I to use 0.96" or 1.3" displays. Currently the ones I have are 0.96"'s but, maybe the 1.3"'s would be easier to read with more space.
I know I didn't share much of the detailed info about the whole project, sorry for that.. I haven't really done -that- much documenting and didn't feel like copy-pasting some Arduino code here (for example).. IF you're interested thou', happy to share and talk about the details.
Not sure am I gonna update the thread here but, I keep IG somewhat up to date also about this project.
Cheers!
So, I did some research how tackle to extract gear position information and ended up with a hastily thrown idea with hall sensors. As the GR's shifter works with two wires, it was simple enough to transfer that movement into two linear axles... so to say...
I also needed something with deal with the information from the hall sensors and ended up choosing and old Arduino Nano v.3 I had laying around. First it was only suppose to be only a gear position display, buuut... the idea ended up growing a bit. And I didn't have any idea how to make the Arduino do what I wanted it to do.
So I went into the internet and learned some c++.
After a week or two, some early stage ideas of how it might look:
I managed to get the code into a point that it was actually working at least somewhat like I wanted it to. I had 5 hall sensors, two measuring vertical position, two measuring horizontal position and one for reverse gear. Now I had the means to to tell the Arduino what gear I was in... thru' math.
Some testing vid: IG: HERE
Skipping a little, I made a bracket for two linear potentiometers which I connected to the shifter wiring with some rods.. Glued couple magnets onto the potentiometers which move "in fashion" depending on which gear you're in. Some magic happens in Arduino and it throws the gear on a display.
Video where the mechanism is seen in operation: IG: shifter mech
I cleaned the shifter stuff a little and made a small bracket for the display and installed it all in the car. IG: shift position display in operation
Well, like said before.. the idea kind of grew.. I really liked the idea of 3 screens but it was getting a bit too fiddly to get 3 displays working with the A-Nano. I did some research again and went to the internet to ordered some upgrades.
The new idea was to replace the Nano with Mega, add a multiplexer to run more than 2 displays and a can bus reader to able to import the data from the can for the Arduino.
The new plan and some prototyping:
At this point, I really wanted to be able to print my own 3D cases etc. parts needed for the project so I managed to score used Prusa i3 MK3S printer from a bud. Of course I didn't know anything about 3D printing or even 3D modelling so... I had to go to the internet again....
After few days or so, here is where I am currently:
There is still power / ground distribution module missing from the "box", and I need to do some wiring etc to connect it all up.. Also the Arduino code still lacks the part "fetch can bus data" and "turn it into a readable stuff on displays". Also the triple display set is going to need a own new housing, which I need to 3D model up. I also need to decide am I to use 0.96" or 1.3" displays. Currently the ones I have are 0.96"'s but, maybe the 1.3"'s would be easier to read with more space.
I know I didn't share much of the detailed info about the whole project, sorry for that.. I haven't really done -that- much documenting and didn't feel like copy-pasting some Arduino code here (for example).. IF you're interested thou', happy to share and talk about the details.
Not sure am I gonna update the thread here but, I keep IG somewhat up to date also about this project.
Cheers!
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