Display your MPG to the world

elbweb · 10-11-2007, 12:30 PM

I want to be able to show off how many MPG i am currently getting from my prius, through an LED display, or something like that, that would be somewhere in the car.

I'm sure you've all seen the LED signs that are everywhere, I've even seen them in a licesnse plate holder, so i thought, maybe there would be a way to show off my current MPG...

Anyone have any ideas about a way to go about this? I really have no expirence in this stuff, but was wondering if anyone could help me out. Worst case scenario, i guess we could try to find a way to interface with and get the MPG and then have an LED sign that also can be used with the pc.. that shouldn't be to difficult, albeit probably expensive, but the downside is that there must be a pc running in the car to just display a few characters..

Anyone got any other (simpler) ideas?

Thanks in advance,

elbweb

Rae Vynn · 10-11-2007, 01:58 PM

I think an LED panel on the back of the car that shows current MPG would be nice....

... right up until a P*SSED-OFF <insert large gas-hog vehicle here> driver decides that you are being SMUG, and shoves you off the road.

I think rubbing their noses in it isn't the most prudent thing. Just tell people when they ask how you like your Prius what your current MPG is.

usbseawolf2000 · 10-11-2007, 02:18 PM

You are going to need to connect to the MFD to sniff up the realtime MPG data. I am not sure if CAN-VIEW can show MPG.

If it can, just get CAN-VIEW model with the external LCD screen. Stick the LCD screen on the side or rear hatch window. :-D

ericbecky · 10-11-2007, 02:35 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(elbweb @ Oct 11 2007, 11:30 AM) [snapback]524130[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I want to be able to show off how many MPG i am currently getting from my prius, through an LED display, or something like that, that would be somewhere in the car.

I'm sure you've all seen the LED signs that are everywhere, I've even seen them in a licesnse plate holder, so i thought, maybe there would be a way to show off my current MPG...

Anyone have any ideas about a way to go about this? I really have no expirence in this stuff, but was wondering if anyone could help me out. Worst case scenario, i guess we could try to find a way to interface with and get the MPG and then have an LED sign that also can be used with the pc.. that shouldn't be to difficult, albeit probably expensive, but the downside is that there must be a pc running in the car to just display a few characters..

Anyone got any other (simpler) ideas?

Thanks in advance,

elbweb
[/b]

The easy, under $75 solution is to buy an led sign like I did.

See details at http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/hardware/t-...ideas-6055.html

All you do is plug it into your cigarette lighter, type in your message and you're set.

I have many messages pre-programmed.
All I do is type in the appropriate 2-digit number and it scrolls across the screen.

Such as "Currently Getting 75 MPG"
or "Visit PriusChat.com"

No complicated interface needed.

bwilson4web · 10-11-2007, 07:15 PM

Ebay, $45.

My vanity plate: C-52MPG

I use the LED sign to encourage folks to pass me instead of tailgating. The scrolling sign says, "Go Round 25-38 mph." Testing suggests it works since the tailgaters are already too close.

Bob Wilson

Rae Vynn · 10-11-2007, 09:26 PM

24-3? what does that mean?

ericbecky · 10-11-2007, 10:22 PM

The md-550 was under $50 on ebay (Can't remember exactly how much.)
I've also seen them on craigslist.
Nice thing is that that it is large enough so that people can see it from far away.
If I remember right it's about 4 inches high.

I don't need anyone tailgating just to try to read the sign.

It also has four levels of brightness so that it's not too bright at night.

bwilson4web · 10-11-2007, 10:56 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ericbecky @ Oct 11 2007, 09:22 PM) [snapback]524370[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

. . .
I don't need anyone tailgating just to try to read the sign.
. . .
[/b]

I use the text "Go round 25-38 mph" to let tailgaters know that I'm holding my speed. It works.

Bob Wilson

Vincent · 10-12-2007, 06:42 AM

Try a license plate.

Mine is 48MPG

ericbecky · 10-12-2007, 09:33 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vincent @ Oct 12 2007, 05:42 AM) [snapback]524502[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Try a license plate.

Mine is 48MPG
[/b]

But then you can't change it when you do even better.

This morning I also used the sign to say "Nice Hybrid!" to a Highlander Hybrid and "Nice Prius!" to a friendly Prius driver. I have a 30 mile drive in to work on a very open 4 lane 55 mph highway. I see lots of hybrids every day.

LinkBacks (?) LinkBack to this Thread: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/38546-display-your-mpg-world.html
Posted By	For	Type	Date
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10-11-2007, 12:30 PM	#1
elbweb Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I want to be able to show off how many MPG i am currently getting from my prius, through an LED display, or something like that, that would be somewhere in the car. I'm sure you've all seen the LED signs that are everywhere, I've even seen them in a licesnse plate holder, so i thought, maybe there would be a way to show off my current MPG... Anyone have any ideas about a way to go about this? I really have no expirence in this stuff, but was wondering if anyone could help me out. Worst case scenario, i guess we could try to find a way to interface with and get the MPG and then have an LED sign that also can be used with the pc.. that shouldn't be to difficult, albeit probably expensive, but the downside is that there must be a pc running in the car to just display a few characters.. Anyone got any other (simpler) ideas? Thanks in advance, elbweb

10-11-2007, 01:58 PM	#2
Rae Vynn Tree-hugging Vegan Witch Join Date: May 2007 Location: Grays Harbor, WA, USA Posts: 4,155 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 258 Thanked 61 Times in 51 Posts Friends: 66	I think an LED panel on the back of the car that shows current MPG would be nice.... ... right up until a P*SSED-OFF <insert large gas-hog vehicle here> driver decides that you are being SMUG, and shoves you off the road. I think rubbing their noses in it isn't the most prudent thing. Just tell people when they ask how you like your Prius what your current MPG is.

10-11-2007, 02:18 PM	#3
usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 3,254 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 106 Thanked 178 Times in 111 Posts Friends: 59	You are going to need to connect to the MFD to sniff up the realtime MPG data. I am not sure if CAN-VIEW can show MPG. If it can, just get CAN-VIEW model with the external LCD screen. Stick the LCD screen on the side or rear hatch window. :-D

10-11-2007, 07:15 PM	#5
bwilson4web 03 and 10 Prius Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Huntsville AL with 2003 Prius Posts: 3,849 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: #1 Thanks: 146 Thanked 366 Times in 202 Posts Friends: 20	Ebay, $45. My vanity plate: C-52MPG I use the LED sign to encourage folks to pass me instead of tailgating. The scrolling sign says, "Go Round 25-38 mph." Testing suggests it works since the tailgaters are already too close. Bob Wilson

10-11-2007, 09:26 PM	#6
Rae Vynn Tree-hugging Vegan Witch Join Date: May 2007 Location: Grays Harbor, WA, USA Posts: 4,155 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 258 Thanked 61 Times in 51 Posts Friends: 66	24-3? what does that mean?

10-11-2007, 10:22 PM	#7
ericbecky Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 441 My Car: Other Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 9 Thanked 33 Times in 28 Posts Friends: 45	The md-550 was under $50 on ebay (Can't remember exactly how much.) I've also seen them on craigslist. Nice thing is that that it is large enough so that people can see it from far away. If I remember right it's about 4 inches high. I don't need anyone tailgating just to try to read the sign. It also has four levels of brightness so that it's not too bright at night.

10-12-2007, 06:42 AM	#9
Vincent Don't Wait Until Tomorrow Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 635 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: V Package: Navigation Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 13 Posts Friends: 0	Try a license plate. Mine is 48MPG