Can-View Ideas

[TheForce]

I want to start a thread on ideas you would like to see in the Can-View. I know Norm has his hands full already with the plugin and Ford Escape side of the Can-View but I just want to have a place where he could come every once in a while and see what people are interested in and maybe implement some of the ideas.

I'll get us started.

1. I would like to see a fuel gauge always on the screen some where like the SOC charge thats on the bottom of the screen or an option to have 2 different things displayed at the bottom at one time. Like SOC and Fuel, Or Fuel and Voltage. ect... The graph of the Fuel gauge does not need to be displayed because I think the Prius fuel gauge does the job but I would like to have the percent numbers there some where.

2. Since the Can-View keeps track of time and has access to speed and distance I thought why cant we have something like 0-60 times? I then thought why cant we have a "drag race" screen where all it does it let you see your 0-60 or 0-XXX times, 1/4 mile or whatever mile times? Maybe include how much fuel was used during that run. You know the standard drag race stuff. Ok that lasts one was not really related to drag racing but for us hybrid drivers we can see who can go the fastest on the least amount of fuel. Dont laugh I thought this would be pretty cool to have if the Can-View can get within .1 seconds. I talked to Norm about this and he said it might be possible but it would basically take %100 of the Can-Views power to just keep track of the time/speed/distance info to be accurate enough. It would not be able to calculate other values or keep track of anything. He is devoting all of his time for the plugin side so dont count on this to happen any time soon or ever. I'm just throwing the idea out there.

3. I just thought about this one. How about a screen that lets you turn on and off the relays at any time so you can use them to control anything. I dont think I would use this option but I bet I could find a use for it. I dont plan on having a plugin Prius ( I would like to have one ) but hey you never know.

4. Some kind of graph/meter that shows you if your in the sweet spot or not ( Hobbit's notes ) and if not what you need to do to get there.


So what do you want to see in the Can-View? Something that makes life easier? harder?

[Allannde]

I have had the pleasure of meeting Norm and visiting his shop. He is quite open to ideas but also quite realistic about how much demand there is for them. He devotes a lot of time to new things, but if only a handful of people actually purchase them, he is out considerable investment as well as time.

This thread could be quite helpful, but I do not expect that Norm is anxious to make new things just to do that.

There simply is no product available which is sold in such small numbers with such high quality and which is given such personal attention as the CAN-VIEW in its various forms. Just the fact that we can consider expanding its offerings speaks to the good deal which this product is.

How about things which would attract people to owning a CAN-VIEW who do not yet?

Like displaying tire pressures from the Tire Pressure Sensing System. The Dealer's Scan tool does it when plugged in to the OBD2 port.

Or like theforce said graphically displaying the % of fuel in the tank which is a little more precise than the "guess gauge"

If there is real interest, Norm will listen.

[efusco]

Honestly I think the next stage would be a UI similar to the one we've seen being made in Japan...something that looks more OEM, less DOS-like, etc.

Feature wise I'm pretty happy. If some way to get readings from the GPS could be integrated to show altitude that would be cool.

[dmckinstry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Mar 7 2007, 04:20 PM) [snapback]401957[/snapback]</div>

Honestly I think the next stage would be a UI similar to the one we've seen being made in Japan...something that looks more OEM, less DOS-like, etc.

Feature wise I'm pretty happy. If some way to get readings from the GPS could be integrated to show altitude that would be cool.
[/b]

I'd like to see altitude too. Also, if possible road inclination. Why? You might ask. Because, when I'm getting unusually poor mileage, I like to know if it's because I'm going uphill, or that wind conditions have changed. Some hills seem quite subtle in terms of seeing them. Of course, if altitude reading is sufficiently accurate, you can tell if you're going up or down hill.

That may not be possible with what comes from the OBDII connector though. I don't know.

Dave M.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Allannde @ Mar 7 2007, 04:17 PM) [snapback]401954[/snapback]</div>

Or like theforce said graphically displaying the % of fuel in the tank which is a little more precise than the "guess gauge"

[/b]

It should be noted that although the tank % is displayed, it isn't always consistent. I doubt that it's the fault of CAN-View though. I suspect going up or down hill, or acceleration may result in a shift in fuel within the bladder that changes the reading.

I've had the reading go down by up to 3% and then go back to its original reading again.

Dave M.

[TheForce]

Dont know if the Can-View currently does this ( so much stuff in there I havnt gone through it all ) but I would like to see if the Prius is using regen or physical brakes when your applying pressure to the brake. Is this information even sent through the CAN data?

[wrprice]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Mar 7 2007, 08:20 PM) [snapback]401957[/snapback]</div>

Honestly I think the next stage would be a UI similar to the one we've seen being made in Japan...something that looks more OEM, less DOS-like, etc.
[/b]

If this were done, I would consider dropping $400-500 on the unit (w/ Nav integration). As it is right now, the data is neat but I wouldn't *want* to look at it very often. Extended ASCII line-art doesn't suit the Prius' beauty.

And as an owner of an '05, I'd want this while keeping the "V3" ability to integrate w/ the MFD and not require a separate LCD touch panel.

My $0.02. Even as-is, it's simply an amazing piece of work for hacking the essentially closed-box Prius.

[dmckinstry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theforce @ Mar 7 2007, 05:20 PM) [snapback]401932[/snapback]</div>

I want to start a thread on ideas you would like to see in the Can-View. I know Norm has his hands full already with the plugin and Ford Escape side of the Can-View but I just want to have a place where he could come every once in a while and see what people are interested in and maybe implement some of the ideas.

I'll get us started.
So what do you want to see in the Can-View? Something that makes life easier? harder?
[/b]

Actually, I would like a feature that some of you already have, but was left off CAN-View V3 with the relay boards installed. I don't know why it was left off. Maybe just additional screens that require more programming. In the documentation, it was hinted that the "deficiency" was in the "current" version.

In any case, what I'm talking about is the mileage bars similar to the 5 minute bars on the regular MFD screen.
The mileage bars seem a lot more informative in terms of actual driving results.

Dave M.

[TheForce]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Mar 17 2007, 01:00 PM) [snapback]407408[/snapback]</div>

Actually, I would like a feature that some of you already have, but was left off CAN-View V3 with the relay boards installed. I don't know why it was left off. Maybe just additional screens that require more programming. In the documentation, it was hinted that the "deficiency" was in the "current" version.

In any case, what I'm talking about is the mileage bars similar to the 5 minute bars on the regular MFD screen.
The mileage bars seem a lot more informative in terms of actual driving results.

Dave M.
[/b]

That was left out because there was no more space left in memory. You either have the relay option or you have more features. Plugin option Vs. Just viewing data. Thats a hard choice to make but if you plug in your car you already have the better choice.

[dmckinstry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theforce @ Mar 17 2007, 10:09 AM) [snapback]407415[/snapback]</div>

That was left out because there was no more space left in memory. You either have the relay option or you have more features. Plugin option Vs. Just viewing data. Thats a hard choice to make but if you plug in your car you already have the better choice.
[/b]

OK. I was wondering about memory limitations, but didn't know for sure. But I won't convert to a plug in for at least a year. When I bought the car (~ 1 1/2 years ago), one of my thoughts was that the design was such that when the warranty runs out on the original batteries, if they go dead I would replace them with a new state of the art set of batteries, and maybe turn it into an electric. This was before I got onto PC, so I didn't know anything about plug-ins then. The hybrid still seems the best of two worlds (since I still intend to do some cross country driving), and the plug-in a step up from that. In any case I won't be retiring for at least a year, and won't be doing any conversion until then.

I understand Norm is working on a conversion himself. I would hope if he gets it done to his satisfaction, he'd publish an instruction manual for the conversion process.

Thanks for the clarification.

Dave M.

[eflier]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Mar 17 2007, 10:00 AM) [snapback]407443[/snapback]</div>

OK. I was wondering about memory limitations, but didn't know for sure. But I won't convert to a plug in for at least a year. .... .
Dave M.
[/b]

Hi Dave, it is a memory limitation with the V3 that forced two separate sets of code. The way the microprocessor manufacturer (Silicon Laboratories) markets their chips, you can't just buy the same version with more memory, they change the pin numbers and other functions at the same time which means a different PCB. I loaded your V3 with the relay code because you ordered the relays. But if you are not doing a plug-in conversion for a while, until then, why not buy that $35 USB programming adapter from Mouser or Digikey and download from my web-site the none-relay code that does have the bits you want, like the MPG screen.

Yes I am working on my own plug-in conversion and am documenting the whole process. I've started to add it to my web-site under 'plug-ins' but its a spare time work-in-progress. I am hoping to find time to get it running within the next 30 days, but building bigger packs out of used Prius NiMH battery packs and making them fit unobtrusively under the trunk floor is taking longer than I planned.

As to the graphical GUI, I considered that and priced it out but in these tiny quantities I couldn't build one at a price anyone is willing to pay. Which is probably the reason that we've heard nothing more about that neat Japanese CAN-view-like prototype.

I may find time to add the suggested performance page after I get the plug-in working as it might help document any performance changes. Added weight should translate into poorer acceleration unless the added power can compensate. Nobody seems to have documented this aspect.

Meanwhile the swamp is still full of alligators....