Champagne

OK, this is the latest version:



Paul

Tony

I havent followed this from the beginning but some pretty cools stuff!

Are the vac pod actuators going to be replaced with electric servos ?

RKD in OKC

The arrows look too busy to me...

Champagne

I think we're past that one

I will have more updates later.

Paul

Champagne

The OLED is fully programmable. You could choose any color you want.

Paul

hans14914

Alan,

I see what you mean with a rotary switch, but it woudl be difficult to do with an encoder. I take that back, its possible, but would require a radial LED array to show the current status, which could be directly addressed by the micro. This woudl require more pins, and increase the price, but doable. I was considering something exactly like what you proposed for a version without the OLED. It would be three multi-function *****. I still need some more time to digest adding another button for the defrost mode. I am sure its possible, but just need to find a way to do it, without harming the aesthetic.

To answer a couple other posts, the "speaker" **** is just a volume with press-to-mute function. Any other advanced functionality like fade/balance/eq is done with the touchscreen.

All the factory climate subsytems are retained (black mixing box, vaccum manifold, vacuum pods... ) only the head unit is replaced.

S4ordie

Even Turkis Metalik?

Alan

Well some options:

Option1: make it a real 4-way rotary switch rather than an encoder and have it drive the flaps (almost) directly (simplifies your design - fewer relays) - monitor the switch status to provide a (temp) selected mode display (pictograph) on the OLED and/or or use the existing 2 LED status scheme.

Option 2 use a rotary encoder - show the selected mode (pictograph) on the OLED for a 2 second period as you switch the selector - press the encoder to see the current selection...

There are always other ways...

Alan

hans14914

Alan,

I cant use the swtich for the OLED desgin, it wouldnt work because it would always be fighting with any other source. The way the circuit is designed, the board can be interfaced by any number of 5v logic-level sources, including the front panel, and the PC. That way, if someone is very clever, and writes a VB script for real climate control, when the carputer is on, it can control and update the status on both the board, LCD, and physical controls/OLED.

Another note, the only relay being used is for the AC, everything else is done with an relay driver IC which directly controls the vacuum solenoids. This was done to make the board very small, and easy to install with all sort of other components under the console, such as an Innovate AuxBox, or HD Radio tuner.

For the simpler version of the climate that will not use an OLED, it will be using a rotary switch as you describe.

The idea of using the display would likely work, but I wanted to keep the interface simple, so you dont have to take your eyes off the road for very long.

The best way to go back and add the defrost as a dedicated function, is with a push-button for this design. I just need to find a good place to put it.

Thanks
Hans

hans14914

- Update -

After thinking about the now necessary changes that need to be made, and the unusual difficulty they have with the existing OLED design, I have decided to finish the simpler interpretation of the climate control system using three rotary encoders.

It was always our plan to have several options for the climate. The OLED version is the high-end of the spectrum. It will come to market, but in order to add the buttons required... etc, it means going back to the CNC drawing board. It may not seem like a big deal, but the translucent substrate for the backlight needs to be redesigned, as does the frame to accept them, the support PCB under that which holds the buttons, and also a new G-code written for the CNC machine (which takes more time than you would think). The OLED version is un-necessarily expensive. It doesn't add much meaningful improvements over a more conservative design, it just has a really neat "cool factor" and was the only way I could get any LCD display to exactly mimic the stock 89+ digital dash cars. The OLED version will still be available, but it is just being shifted back in the que, so we can still have a timely release of this much anticipated upgrade.

So, what we will be working on over the next several days (updates will be slow, both Paul and I have other prior commitments for the next couple days) is a symmetrical 3-**** interface, much like the Aston Martin configuration posted earlier in the thread. It will comprise of 3 rotary encoder with a push-button shaft, allowing each **** to have dual functionality. For example, the temperature adjust **** will also be the AC compressor toggle - twist as normal for temp adjust, push for AC compressor on/off. On the vent mode **** (which will include a position for the defrost) the push-button will toggle the recirculation option.

This new panel will still have the ability to interface with the carputer, or many other control devices. No functionality is lost from the OLED implementation accept the size of the temp display, which will now be handled by a radial LED display.

Be patient with us, as this is a design shift we were not planning on making for a couple weeks, but due to popular demand, we have switched the production schedule around to make this the first offering.

Thanks,
Hans

jeff spahn

Hans. The optical tach is in the mail to you today via priority mail. I like the simplified design idea and I am on board with it.

Walt L

Any Updates??

Champagne

As mentioned earlier, both Hans and I have concentrated our efforts on the simpler version of the AC controller.

We have both made some progress and I should have some renderings of the design later over the weekend.

Also in the works and progressing is our illuminated switch panel for the windows.

Paul

Champagne

Hello everyone,

as promised, here is a little update.

The following is the design for the simpler version of the AC controller. This one will be less expensive, mainly because of the absence of the OLED screen, but will update the factory unit with all the functions and will work with or without the car PC.

This unit will fit in the same space and replace the factory unit.

Each of the ***** as a lighted face and will also project a halo of light from it's base. All 3 ***** are rotary encoders and also have a push function.

Feedback is done through an array of LED for both the fan and temp *****, and by a group of icons for the mode ****. Each will light in sequence depending on the position of the ****.
The push action will light up the corresponding icon at the 6:00 PM position.



First **** is temp selection on the rotary and on/off on the push.
The first LED being full cold and the last LED full hot

Second **** is mode on the rotary with recirculation on the push.

Third is fan on the rotary with back AC on the push

Here are a few more renderings to give you an idea of the different finishes:





And for those who requested a factory finish, I can now confirm that we have and exact match, in color, sheen and texture to the factory black interior parts.

For the others who want something exotic, or want to blend the control to the center console insert, the choice will be extensive. The carbon fiber is especially nice.

Thanks

Paul

S4ordie

Paul - Looks fantastico! Manifique!

Is there are face and foot option on the second "mode" ****? Will the third **** (Fan speed and rear AC) really have 12 different speeds? Assuming each dot represents another fan speed increase/decrease.

I really like the icons and the effort in regards to the design.