Virtual Gauge Display using OBD2 and Torque Pro
My tow vehicle is an Astro van and it doesn't offer much in the form of gauges or monitoring for the drive train. Dash real estate is also pretty limited, so I decided to add some "glass" to create an information center for monitoring critical stuff like transmission fluid temperature, torque converter slip and a tachometer (since GM didn't deem this vehicle worthy of a rev counter).
I picked up a couple of used LG Android tablets off eBay, a few cheap-o OBD2 bluetooth adapters just like this one (two of each, because I set one up for my uncle's rig at the same time) and a nice dash-mounted tablet mount. I reused the USB power supply that was already in the truck.
In both cases, I opted for tablets that were cell network-ready in order to have integrated GPS (I have oversize tires on my van and like to know exactly how fast I'm traveling).
Last, but not least, an installation of Torque Pro from the Play store to do the actual data displays.
First is my 7-inch tablet and second is a newer 8-inch tablet.
Now I can see the exact data that the ECM sees and a lot more information that can easily be display in a fixed gauge setup. There are dozens of PIDs (Parameter ID) for the various bits of telemetry monitored and controlled by the ECM. Newer vehicles can report things like A/C high pressure measurements, individual wheel speeds and shift timings!
I picked up a couple of used LG Android tablets off eBay, a few cheap-o OBD2 bluetooth adapters just like this one (two of each, because I set one up for my uncle's rig at the same time) and a nice dash-mounted tablet mount. I reused the USB power supply that was already in the truck.
In both cases, I opted for tablets that were cell network-ready in order to have integrated GPS (I have oversize tires on my van and like to know exactly how fast I'm traveling).
Last, but not least, an installation of Torque Pro from the Play store to do the actual data displays.
First is my 7-inch tablet and second is a newer 8-inch tablet.
Now I can see the exact data that the ECM sees and a lot more information that can easily be display in a fixed gauge setup. There are dozens of PIDs (Parameter ID) for the various bits of telemetry monitored and controlled by the ECM. Newer vehicles can report things like A/C high pressure measurements, individual wheel speeds and shift timings!
