openinverter forum

Hi,
Using oem hardware on my "conversion" (but it should work the same for people using any other combo that uses can)
i am looking for a solution to control the analog instrument cluster using the can signals from the oem nissan vcu.
I know kinghorn ev did it in their conversion but are not interesred in sellin/helping.


I can see a few for sale to control radio and alarms but the more advanced ones cost more than my car

http://www.vboxaustralia.com.au/dac01.html
https://en.racelogic.support/VBOX_Autom ... gue_Module
https://www.lingenfelter.com/product/L460260704.html
https://www.accuratetechnologies.com/Products/CANverter
https://jv-technoton.com/products/mastercan-dac/
https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/10050037 ... pt=glo2bra
https://shop.nikutronics.eu/CAN-Bus-Modul-M-CAN
https://wibutec-shop.com/CAN-Bus-Interf ... auf-analog
https://www.speedtech.sk/product/7539/c ... an-box-uni
https://www.ebay.com/itm/290380683682
https://www.directindustry.com/prod/mak ... 72885.html


How are you guys controlling your instrument cluster / dashboard on conversions ?

In my first conversion (Polo) I ran the temp gauge with PWM from inverter and check engine with open collector output from inverter. The fuel gauge with PWM from BMS.
In Touran I run the fuel gauge with PWM using SoC from Leaf BMS and rev counter via CAN with speed from inverter (https://github.com/jsphuebner/stm32-car). Also the temp gauge and various lights.
In Zapateros Subaru we will run temp/fuel gauge with PWM and speedo (could have also run rev counter) with variable frequency square wave, all from ZombieVerter.

It's all not very hard to implement, any CAN enabled Arduino can hack it. Or STM32 e.g. starting at stm32-template https://github.com/jsphuebner/stm32-template

Before I started my conversion I spent weeks playing with the CAN to control the dash. I haven't implemented any of that yet as the conversion is on going but I'm confident it can be done. Maybe forget about converting the signals from the Nissan VCU and control it directly.

You're not likley to find a generic controller as all cars/manufacturers are differant my Z3 is a mix of analog and canbus and I built a controller specifically for my motor/inverter/vehicle combination

Front/rear drive need a ground to light up.
Odometer needs 8 pulse per meter.
For current rate and battery capacity this is a 0-12v input.

I am building an interface between Nissan Leaf CAN and, in my case Saab i-bus CAN.

I came up with the following specs:
3 x CAN bus
1 x LIN bus
4 x 5 volt input digital (analog with mod option)
5 x 12 volt digital output (to drive relays or dash boards lights)
3 x PWM output at 12 volt (battery voltage) level for dash board gauges
1 x PWM output at 5 volt level (to drive a small servo)
UART and UDC C on the board
Voltage input 9 to 16 volts.
Based on a ESP32 with Wifi and BT.

If anybody is interested I can offer a test sample once I have the first series in.

tell us when it works i think a interface like that should exist for conversions.

I will post my updates and photos here. Any feedback would be great.

Interested, keep us posted

Here is the 3D model of the interface-controler

For now I have set these specs:

The controller: ESP32 - S3 mini
I/O:
- 5 digital outputs (9 to 16 volts) for relays, LEDs etc.
- 1 analog input (9 to 16 volts) for variable input (heating level)
- 3 digital inputs (5 volts) for gear switches or any other switches
- voltage output (5 volts) to power the above and a servo motor
- 1 PWM output (5 volts) for servo motor
- 3 PWM outputs (9 to 16 volts) for dashboard gauges, RPM etc.
- voltage input at 9 to 16 volts range, basically 12 volt car battery
- 3 CAN buses for communication with VCU, heater, power steering and car at different speeds
- 1 LIN bus for heater and / or airco pump
- USB C on the board, power and data for programing
- UART on the board for extra communication with other devices like GPS
- Wifi - build in the ESP32
- Bluetooth - build in the ESP32

As soon as a have the boards here for testing I will write an update

The first boards just arrived.

Is it on GitHub ? Very interesting for my project.

I have a couple of boards available. They work with Arduino. All prototypes, but functioning never the less.
If anyone wants to experiment with them, just let me know.

The next iteration will be able to run CircuitPython as well as Arduino, and will have small improvements.

PaulHeystee wrote: ↑Wed Oct 11, 2023 1:54 pm If anyone wants to experiment with them, just let me know.

I would love to experiment with them, I have similar usecase

Please drop me a DM so we can exchange details regarding shipping etc.

Hi,
Have you managed to progress your project any? asking for a friend…

Any Schematics available?

Hi, sorry for the delay, I was working on other projects. As it looks now I have to redesign the board as it did not have the extra USB to boot micro python on it.

Is it possible to get the old version of the board?

Hi, I have one board left, If you want I can send it, at cost price.

modellfan wrote: ↑Wed Aug 07, 2024 9:04 am Any Schematics available?

I have them in KiCad, I can send you the files, if you want