New project: GPS speedometer

[Mike]

This is the forum for the GPS speedometer project.
http://www.opengpstracker.org/gps-speedometer.html

[aj7]

These little mini projects are quite cool! Keep it up!

[roswald]

Hello, I am handy but not an EE. Where can I purchase the plans, parts list and instructions for the GPS speedometer?
dr_roswald@hotmail.com

[Mike]

I can provide you with a parts list. There are no formal plans as such, it depends on your application. What are you trying to do with it?

[roswald]

Hi Mike; This will be a car speedometer. The display will be in the center of the drivers line of sight. The controle box will be remotly mounted but accessable for setting the speed limiter. I prefer 1 1/2 in characters. This looks like a wonderful solution for speed monitoring in my Ferrari 360. I have a unit based on a Hall effect sensor but the hook-up is difficult. I would love to find a project that mounts the whole unit including the antena in the steering wheel with the display imbeded at 12 o'clock. It mite be one based on a wrist gps unit. Well, I guess thats for another day. Buying a ready made unit is also a very viable option from my end. Thanks, Rich

[Mike]

So you would want 1.5 inch characters for the speedometer, and some smaller display for the setpoint?
1.5 inch characters, bright enough to see in daylight, require serious power. You would need power
transistors one per segment. Since it's a Ferrari, I also imagine you would want a three digit display!

Do you have the LED modules you want picked out?

Mike

[roswald]

Hi Mike; The set point display would be small and remotly mounted. The main display should be three characters and brite for daytime viewing. I do not have a display picked out. Even though the main display characters are large the smallest package possible would be the best.Rich

[Mike]

Okay, some design work and coding would be required. Do you have any funding for this project? Is there a market? What's wrong with the speedometer on the Ferrari?

[roswald]

Hi Mike; All Ferrari guages are useless once you start driving. The analog speedometer is to small, stuck in a corner and not clibrated for low speed (30-70 mph speeds) use. Even the HUGE tack can't be read while monitoring the road. The car requires shift lights. This speedo is a one off unit. Realy, why would any self respecting Ferrarist CARE about the speed. Well, except me. My speeding is reserved for the track. Also, I realy don't care about the set points. They can be deleated. So, what can you do and how much? Thanks much Rich

[Mike]

I am in the process of constructing one for another customer (parts on the way) and will send you a picture when it's ready. Probably around $100. The GPS is $51. This will have bright 0.8" digits.

From what you say about Ferrari gauges being useless, there might be a commercial market there. Especially if you took an inductive feed off a spark-plug wire and displayed the RPM as well. Have RPM setpoints and a light or tone to tell you when to shift.

Mike