Thread: Arduino Modular Engine Sensors Unit (~$50)

I like the idea - I could think of a few things you could do with it. For a start, a basic engine monitoring package - oil pressure, coolant temp, low coolant, etc. You could display the results, as well as set off a lamp or buzzer when a warning value is reached. I could think up a few fun things to go on top of this as well.

One of the things I eventually want to do is replace all the dash globes with LED's - all easy and good, but wouldn't it be better if you could dim them properly, and have them fade up and down using a PWM output from the processor? Rather than have the dimmer pot on the dash, have a button that fades the LED's up and down to the desired level when pushed...

Also, I'm sure we could find a use for the LOL (Lots of LED's) display...

Wiring wise, I personally would take care of all that myself, but I would be interested in getting the box of tricks all programmed up the way I wanted...

As I think of more, I'll post them...

Cheers - Gav

Edit - Haydent - did you just edit your post while I was typing this???

Ooooh - Just had a thought - use the LOL shield to display any warning that the system was monitoring - how cool would that be???

Bring it on. Was thinking of a controller for a variable geometry turbo could be a good job for an Arduino.

For the display a 4.3" GPS touch screen with an AV input could do the trick as they come with a suction mount, ciggy lighter power via the USB connector. They run Windows CE so I don't know what other smart trickery you could get the thing to do. Last time I got one from the net (DX Deals Extreme) they were about $100 now they are down to $50ish.

i was even thinking wireless link between engine box and cabin readout for even less wires but that would be more work and something to consider after the basics are worked out.

this arduino stuff is soo cheap, you can get a nano for $11 that pretty much would do everything we are talking about

and the possibilities are many,

i got to thinking about all this for the fact that the engine already has all these sensors but not audible alarm, when you need to know right away if your oil pump bolt fell out and there is no pressure or you coolant hose just popped off...

ill be the first to admit i may not see a visual dash alarm straight away, due to road distractions

so i think ill start there (with the default sensors), but you can get thermocupler's cheap to put any where you want:
Bolt-On Washer Thermocouple Assemblies

plus any other VDO or whatever brand sensor you can buy


i was also thinking bluetooth to your phone ! but that may not be so usefull for some of the chaps around here who havent gotten a grip on that technology yet

i think making it as open and adaptable is the goal, as some people might just want a audible alarm and nothing else for that extra minimal look, while others might want to see everything at once.

arduino lcd | eBay

arduino nano | eBay

Yes, I can't believe how cheap all the stuff is.

One more thing - is there an RFID Shield that could be used to make some sort of ignition activation circuit - so if you are close enough with the correct RFID tag, the car could be started without a key like some of the new flash cars out there...?

for sure, this is the thing. we're not talking about rocket science. prob everything we want has been done, there are plenty of guides and equipment for Arduino RFID

ive ordered a nano to get things started

Hey guys,

I'm actually in talks with some guys in commercializing a similar product. I'd love to contribute to something like this.

Here's a video on what I've been working on: YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

I've also got it reading out Oziexplorer data

Alex