Showing off my MPG: anyone familiar with MPG display interface / protocol?
#1
Showing off my MPG: anyone familiar with MPG display interface / protocol?
Has anybody taken apart the HCH dashboard to see what kind of interface the MPG display has?
This is definitely a strange idea, but what I would like to do is create a system that interfaces to some part of my '04 HCH so I can read the current value of the MPG display and display it on a large (5" x 7") L.E.D. dot-matrix numeric display which will be facing out of my rear windshield. I'd like to show off my great MPG rating to all the people that drive past me on the freeway.
The dot-matrix display will be the easy part (I have done many microcontroller projects like this), it is figuring out where to connect to my HCH and what the protocol is that will be the hard part. I don't know if this is even do-able, because I am sure Honda does not publish a detailed Chilton's (or similar manual) for the HCH that goes into this kind of detail. I was thinking that maybe there is someone lurking on this forum that might have some inside information? I'm guessing that Honda uses some sort of CAN bus network inside the car. Does anyone know details on this stuff?
Stephen
This is definitely a strange idea, but what I would like to do is create a system that interfaces to some part of my '04 HCH so I can read the current value of the MPG display and display it on a large (5" x 7") L.E.D. dot-matrix numeric display which will be facing out of my rear windshield. I'd like to show off my great MPG rating to all the people that drive past me on the freeway.
The dot-matrix display will be the easy part (I have done many microcontroller projects like this), it is figuring out where to connect to my HCH and what the protocol is that will be the hard part. I don't know if this is even do-able, because I am sure Honda does not publish a detailed Chilton's (or similar manual) for the HCH that goes into this kind of detail. I was thinking that maybe there is someone lurking on this forum that might have some inside information? I'm guessing that Honda uses some sort of CAN bus network inside the car. Does anyone know details on this stuff?
Stephen
#2
Re: Showing off my MPG: anyone familiar with MPG display interface / protocol?
Its OBDII and it is published in hondas repair manuals. You can find obdII interfaces online and hook them to a computer and interface some kind of Screen to it.
However, I believe one user had an interesting solution in that they had a cheap camera pointed at the display and just captured it and displayed it on a screen he placed in the back of the car.
However, I believe one user had an interesting solution in that they had a cheap camera pointed at the display and just captured it and displayed it on a screen he placed in the back of the car.
#3
Re: Showing off my MPG: anyone familiar with MPG display interface / protocol?
Originally Posted by sfenwick@freeshell.org
Has anybody taken apart the HCH dashboard to see what kind of interface the MPG display has?
I would like to do is create a system that interfaces to some part of my '04 HCH so I can read the current value of the MPG display and display it on a large (5" x 7") L.E.D. dot-matrix numeric display which will be facing out of my rear windshield. I'd like to show off my great MPG rating to all the people that drive past me on the freeway.
I would like to do is create a system that interfaces to some part of my '04 HCH so I can read the current value of the MPG display and display it on a large (5" x 7") L.E.D. dot-matrix numeric display which will be facing out of my rear windshield. I'd like to show off my great MPG rating to all the people that drive past me on the freeway.
I can just see people shooting at you as they drive by.
Cool idea though.
#4
Re: Showing off my MPG: anyone familiar with MPG display interface / protocol?
Originally Posted by Wangofree
Whoa Stephen, if you succeed with this endeavor, you might want to replace your windows with bullet proof glass.
I can just see people shooting at you as they drive by.
Cool idea though.
I can just see people shooting at you as they drive by.
Cool idea though.
Another option might be to have a button on the dash that you press to change the LED display so it says BACK OFF when somebody's tailgating you (and then sell it with bullet proof glass)
Last edited by ElanC; 10-30-2005 at 11:32 PM.
#5
Re: Showing off my MPG: anyone familiar with MPG display interface / protocol?
If you pop the lid off of a scangage you'll recognize what you see immediately, and sending the display signal to an alternate display should be child's play, though getting just MPG to show involves some protocol work, as you mentioned.
I loaned mine out, but when I get it back I'll try to look at the specific designators involved.
I loaned mine out, but when I get it back I'll try to look at the specific designators involved.
#6
Re: Showing off my MPG: anyone familiar with MPG display interface / protocol?
Originally Posted by ElanC
Actually, I think that if he makes it work he can create a small business selling such accessories.
Another option might be to have a button on the dash that you press to change the LED display so it says BACK OFF when somebody's tailgating you (and then sell it with bullet proof glass)
Another option might be to have a button on the dash that you press to change the LED display so it says BACK OFF when somebody's tailgating you (and then sell it with bullet proof glass)
#7
Re: Showing off my MPG: anyone familiar with MPG display interface / protocol?
Originally Posted by sfenwick@freeshell.org
Has anybody taken apart the HCH dashboard to see what kind of interface the MPG display has?
my SuperMID M-1 will help you...
https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...-t-1.3015.html
#8
Re: Showing off my MPG: anyone familiar with MPG display interface / protocol?
It's a cool idea that I've been toying with as well, but when I mentioned it to friends here in TX they all responded the same way: be prepared for some nasty action by other drivers. Even without such display, there are some drivers (mostly of giant SUVs and jacked up trucks) that have to show to you they don't care about mileage by pulling to within inches of your rear, or by cutting you off as close as they can as they pass (the same happened in my former MINI Cooper, another car that seemed to irritate a lot of SUV and truck drivers here in TX).
#9
Re: Showing off my MPG: anyone familiar with MPG display interface / protocol?
Originally Posted by MGBGT
It's a cool idea that I've been toying with as well, but when I mentioned it to friends here in TX they all responded the same way: be prepared for some nasty action by other drivers. Even without such display, there are some drivers (mostly of giant SUVs and jacked up trucks) that have to show to you they don't care about mileage by pulling to within inches of your rear, or by cutting you off as close as they can as they pass (the same happened in my former MINI Cooper, another car that seemed to irritate a lot of SUV and truck drivers here in TX).
Last edited by kenny; 12-17-2005 at 09:23 PM.
#10
Re: Showing off my MPG: anyone familiar with MPG display interface / protocol?
Most people I have talked with about my hybrid say:
1. Well, just how much more did you spend to get better mileage and laugh.
Then I have to ask them how much did you spend extra to get that big old SUV when you could have bought a simple Kia for about $9,000 and it would have got you everywhere you wanted to go and saved $30,000.
2. Then they ask about power. Does it have any power?
3. They say they want a big car.
So, I say to each, his own and go about my business and dont worry about them. Dont think I would not want a display in my rear window if I were driving my HCH conservatively in front of them, slowing them down as is the case if you really go after high mileage!
1. Well, just how much more did you spend to get better mileage and laugh.
Then I have to ask them how much did you spend extra to get that big old SUV when you could have bought a simple Kia for about $9,000 and it would have got you everywhere you wanted to go and saved $30,000.
2. Then they ask about power. Does it have any power?
3. They say they want a big car.
So, I say to each, his own and go about my business and dont worry about them. Dont think I would not want a display in my rear window if I were driving my HCH conservatively in front of them, slowing them down as is the case if you really go after high mileage!