ODBII to WiFi Dongle Suggestions?

I look forward to your report(s).

Bob Wilson

 

I bought one of these:

PLX Kiwi Wifi - Connect your iPhone / iPod Touch to your car's OBD2 OBDII Port.

for use with the Rev app:

DevToaster - Rev - iPhone app development, Great iPhone apps, and more

It set up easily and works as advertised. However, the hypermilers playing with their scanguages would never be satisfied, since the user can't program anything, except to specify which pre-programmed info you want displayed as visual guages. Some items do not appear as available items, presumably because of the unique nature of the Prius. There is not an ipad version of REV, but you could presumably run the app double-sized.

I'm probably interested in selling the KIWI Wifi, since I'm not really using it.

 

Have you used it with an NHW11 model (2001-03)?

I called them and forwarded this note to their tech team:

I found the Auto Enginuity, ProLine worked fine with my wife's 2010 Prius. But without an adapter to limit signals to the other pins, it would spike my NHW11.

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

 

Good news and bad news!

I found their datasheet page and downloadable PDF: PLX Kiwi - Save Gas, Improve MPG, Drive Green, Reduce CO2

I'm looking at the Kiwi User's Manual and it shows:

Having ISO-9141 and KWP 2000 are exactly what is needed.

The bad news is the ProLine has similar specifications. It may require an adapter to limit signals to the other pins.

Bob Wilson

 

A bit more caution... Both the ScanGauge and ELM say that they support KWP. But I can't get either one to work with the Toyota version of KWP on a Gen2. The $500 Mongoose works in KWP mode on the Gen2. Somebody's missing something...

 

Regardless of the wireless angle, I'd be curious to see if someone who regularly uses a scangauge thought the REV app provided any useful gauges. I'm also not sure the wireless angle is worth it. You are still plugging a gizmo in, and you need it to be accessible in order to be able to turn it off (so it doesn't become a vampire draw on the 12v battery).

 

There are two, potential drains:

• B+ - for OBD connectors that can use USB as the power source, isolating B+ would be part of the solution.
• common mode signal drain - the ISO 9141 K-line and L-line could also drain current through the interface plus what every might leak out Tc or Ts lines. However, these should be 'in the noise.'

A better solution would be to isolate both B+ and both grounds from the OBD interface circuits. This would all but eliminate any current drain. Then when the USB or computer based power source comes on, enable these interfaces and turn on the interface logic.

The Graham miniscanner has a 'sleep' mode that requires manual intervention to enable ... the reset switch. It also notices when OBD traffic goes away and puts itself in 'sleep' mode. This is a fairly common practice in low-power, applications.

Bob Wilson

 

I'll have to take your word for that Bob.

From the REV wesite:

"Usage Considerations

Adding WiFi-broadcasting hardware to your automobile is probably a paradigm shift for most auto-enthusiasts. We ask that customers consider the following when purchasing WiFi automotive hardware for perminent installation:

Leaving the module plugged in at all times will draw a small amount of power from the battery. Check with the manufacturer for exact power consumption.
While the module is on, it broadcasts an open (by default) unsecured wireless network. There is WPA and WEP encryption support on the module, but these are far from perfect security protocols.
Please consider these items in the context of your neighborhood parking conditions, and driving frequency."

From the KIWI wesite:

"It also comes included with a power switch built-in to prevent the need for having to constantly disconnect your unit from the OBDII port."