Thinking of a new gadget...

[Csory_imp]

There are a few instruments I was missing from my previous rides. Battery voltage from my scooter, engine and ambient temperature from the ST1300... I know that the CB is all about "back to the roots" and such, but not stressing the engine until oil warms up a bit seems like a good habit to me. Also, a quick look at the battery voltage would give an early warning to hook it up to the charger. Ambient temperature serves self-mocking: no, it is not that cold at all, don't be a puss*...

Always the tinkerer, decided to build a custom instrument. 3-digit 7-segment red LED, located just above the center dash in a 3D printed plastic housing that blends into the factory molding. Two temperature sensors (oil and air), battery voltage meter and an ambient light sensor to auto-adjust brightness. No buttons. It goes like this:

(a) ignition on, engine stopped: battery voltage
(b) engine running, oil cold: oil temp alternating with "OIL" message to indicate cold engine
© engine warmed up: air temp

So far got to the point of designing electronics, ordering parts, and started tinkering with the 3D model... Sorry about posting a "work in progress" but I am genuinely excited Stay tuned...

[Lord Popgun]

Don’t be sorry! This is a cool project. Especially to us techs on the board. And there are a number of us...

Please keep us posted on progress.

[max]

would be thinking about displaying batt voltage during startup and display lowest volts to ad3 and hold display for 3 sec to indicate battery state which may indicate end of useful service life early warning?

and maybe alternate engine and air temp if engine gets a bit hot?

[peterbaron]

For the thoughts, diagram, excitement/hobby and project =

In general, not to criticize above, cars are going nuts with e-gizmos cluster equipped area, multi buttons just nearby, gps, camera, HUD, LKAS, SCC +, cell phone ringing...will driver have enough time to concentrate on the road.. and how about any rider on two wheels only, with just more busy cluster to watch ? .. safety first, simplicity = success. I am happy with my CB cluster.

[Csory_imp]

max: sure, all this would be just some software-tweaking. Will see how it turns out. Was not concerned about oil temp rising since we already have an "engine temp high" light on the dash, but again, will see and thanks for the idea!

peterbaron: this is something I'm concerned about myself. Hence the effort to make it as "minimized" as possible. Will get rid of it if I ever feel distracted though...

[peterbaron]

max: sure, all this would be just some software-tweaking. Will see how it turns out. Was not concerned about oil temp rising since we already have an "engine temp high" light on the dash, but again, will see and thanks for the idea!

peterbaron: this is something I'm concerned about myself. Hence the effort to make it as "minimized" as possible. Will get rid of it if I ever feel distracted though...

Csory, happy to hear, you think safety first...but for your brain:...as popgun said, some tech members are already watching your progress

[Houtman_imp]

For the thoughts, diagram, excitement/hobby and project =

In general, not to criticize above, cars are going nuts with e-gizmos cluster equipped area, multi buttons just nearby, gps, camera, HUD, LKAS, SCC +, cell phone ringing...will driver have enough time to concentrate on the road.. and how about any rider on two wheels only, with just more busy cluster to watch ? .. safety first, simplicity = success. I am happy with my CB cluster.

I feel this way as well , too much distraction , too many steps to take to just change the climate in your car. Give me the good old knob to turn !

[decarmine_imp]

For the thoughts, diagram, excitement/hobby and project =

In general, not to criticize above, cars are going nuts with e-gizmos cluster equipped area, multi buttons just nearby, gps, camera, HUD, LKAS, SCC +, cell phone ringing...will driver have enough time to concentrate on the road.. and how about any rider on two wheels only, with just more busy cluster to watch ? .. safety first, simplicity = success. I am happy with my CB cluster.

I feel this way as well , too much distraction , too many steps to take to just change the climate in your car. Give me the good old knob to turn !

The knob for the fan speed and the lever to slide to adjust the temperature...

But I do like the idea for this display!

[SportsterDoc]

Think I posted this before, but germain to topic: Back in the day when there were several electronic stores in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, I found a zener diode with a threshold voltage of 13.8 volts, connected it in series with a key-on circuit and an indicator lamp mounted on the headlight bucket of my new 1976 CB750F. On = system charging.

[the Ferret]

Man you electrical/engineering types are worriers