Cheap 2nd EFIS Screen for backup or backseat.

[loopfuzz]

Here's a little project I created on for the back seat of my RV-4, though it could also be useful for just a backup screen in a side by side. It takes the serial output data from a dynon efis and displays it on a small lcd screen. I wrote all the source C. And I bought a already assembled board designed for making embedded applications like this.

Now my GF can be my autopilot on our flight to Oshkosh next week!

It could easily be written to also pull engine data from the dynon engine monitor but I don't have one of those to test with. And I might make it support some of the other efis units that output serial data, but I don't have a list of all of them that do. I think the MGL that I'm putting in my 6 may have a option for this.

The board cost about $40, the case cost about $6, and I can't really put a price on the source code. I may release it as open source if people are interested. But I'll have to clean it up a bit, I wouldn't want people to think I write sloppy code. I did do a couple small modifications to the board, like soldered on a screw terminal for the power input and hooked up the backlight power for the lcd.

I made a little youtube video about it:
Here is a link to a video demo of it on youtube

Here is a updated picture from the back seat of my rv-4




Christopher.

[Jamie Aust]

Hi Chris,
That was a great project, your video and code was also very good.
Have you looked at this http://www.iflyez.com/EFISRecorder.shtml
I used an old laptop to start with, I think a better option would be an EEEpc , they are only a few hundred now days.

P.S , That engine mount I got from you is going to be painted RED, the same as my Engine.

[MrNomad]

Jamie & Chris:

After reading both of your creative posts it occurs to me that you guys could solve a problem several folks are having with their gps hooked to dynon units. My Lowrance gps seems to work ok, but on cross country flights the autopilot loses the gps data and goes off line. Dynon claims it's the gps but another post claims that the problem also occurs with other gps so the prob is not just with Lowrance.

If I could capture the data that comes out of the Lowrance gps and simultaneously save it on my pc while it also travels into the dynon, perhaps we could determine if the data is bad due to a lost gps signal or is the dynon messing up.

I used to write C++ but it's been almost 20 years. Yes, my laptop is plenty fast. Is there any way to collaborate on such a project or at least get us started?

Thank you in advance.

[llavalle]

Originally Posted by loopfuzz

I may release it as open source if people are interested. But I'll have to clean it up a bit, I wouldn't want people to think I write sloppy code.

Don't worry, we all do sloppy code when were "coding on the corner of the table". Ever heard of a guy that documented all his code with nice declaration and such when he was doing a small application for himself. I haven't

This is a very interesting project. I'm looking forward to where it will go!

[loopfuzz]

Originally Posted by Jamie Aust

Hi Chris,
That was a great project, your video and code was also very good.
Have you looked at this http://www.iflyez.com/EFISRecorder.shtml
I used an old laptop to start with, I think a better option would be an EEEpc , they are only a few hundred now days.

P.S , That engine mount I got from you is going to be painted RED, the same as my Engine.

Jamie, Yah I did see the efis recorder project, I just didn't like the idea of having a full computer in the backseat and waiting for boot up times. His project is great for logging all that data though. Which is why I think he created it. Boot up time for my monitor is like 5 secs. much smaller and less power consumption.

I'm glad you like the mount and that its going to good use!

[loopfuzz]

Originally Posted by MrNomad

If I could capture the data that comes out of the Lowrance gps and simultaneously save it on my pc while it also travels into the dynon, perhaps we could determine if the data is bad due to a lost gps signal or is the dynon messing up.

Yah if you end up recording this data, I would be interested in looking at it. I made a dynon serial splitter cable so I can feed the gps data in from a gps while I can also pull the serial data out of the dynon for showing on this new device.

I havn't flown to much with the dynon hooked to the gps yet so I don't know of any issues. But like I said we'll be flying to oshkosh soon so that should be a good test.

I'm using the bendix/king av8or gps. Which gps are you using?

Christopher.

[MrNomad]

Originally Posted by loopfuzz

I'm using the bendix/king av8or gps. Which gps are you using?

Christopher.

Hi Chris. I am using the Lowrance 2000c gps. It hooks to my D180 via a serial connection. I tried various baud rates but the problem continues. I'd be willing to fly my next cross country with the laptop running, secured to the floor, using a converter and the cigarette lighter in my panel, collecting data as I travel. The gps and the Dynon lose comm at least twice on every 3 hour trip so it's almost a certainty it will happen again. I can build the redq cable but could use some help with the C++ code.

My intent goes towards solution of the problem and helping Dynon solve it. Everyone is feeling the pain of the economy so I'm inclined to work together with friends and fellow pilots and try to solve the problem.

If you want to help, that would be great. Lemme know what the next step is.

Barry
Tucson

[Jamie Aust]

Hi All,

I will keep this short as I dont want to get off topic, maybe start a new thread ?
Anyway 3 things to look at.
1) If a gps looses a fix ( even for a few seconds) it will stop the output of NMEA data, it would restart, but the A/P may disconnect by then.
2) My old Garmin gps has a log feature build in so I can replay into my Pc when I get home. ( default log mode may need to be turn on )
3) Here is a GPRMC string.
$GPRMC,123519,A,4807.038,N,01131.000,E,022.4,084.4 ,071281,003.1,W*43
The most importent thing in the above string is the "A"
"A" = valid data, but "V" is in-valid data ( eg a loss of fix, even if only for a few seconds)

Back to topic.....LoL... yes I understand boot up time is a pain in the a$$, you have made a very project, that must have been fun, its a great feeling when you see it working just the way you want it.

P.S google DIY Gps Logger, if that help.

[Mel]

Originally Posted by Jamie Aust

P.S , That engine mount I got from you is going to be painted RED, the same as my Engine.

Jamie, be aware that dark colors tend to "hide" cracks on welded tube structures. Most people now use white or a very light color on engine mounts so that cracks are more easily detected.

[loopfuzz]

Some more pictures of the simple case I used for it. I think I want to make a case out of Aluminium. It would look better



Christopher.