okfoz

I found this at MCM Electronics today, thought you might be interested in it:

part # 28-4766

Two line x 16 character display is fully programmable and stores up to 14 alpha numeric messages. Backlit display allows viewing in any light. Messages can be individually displayed by closing specific contacts on terminal strip mounted to the board. Programming is easily done via a menu programming, similar to that of VCR or camcorder text. Data can be sent between multiple units to allow fast programming of a many units. Board dimensions 90mm x 65mm x 25mm. Display board dimensions 122mm x 44mm x 15.7mm. Screen dimensions 99mm x 24mm. Requires 12VDC, 300mA.



http://www.mcmelectronics.com/

I am thinking of eliminating some of my "idiot Lights" and replacing them with one of these. What I would do is install this display, and close to it have different color lights to turn on at the same time. It would clean up the Firebird dash...

John

86IROCZ

It looks like it could be used to replace those silly dial things in the overhead console too.

TexasLT1

thats sweet, my dad uses that kinda stuff at work so I doubt it would be too difficult to program it. Im like you okfoz, have different lights come on too for warnings and such. maybe even add some kind of warning tone for the important stuff. ahhh....the possibilities (insert sound of gears turning in head)

dreeew

That is a great idea. Put it in the roof console. replace that stupid little meter thing, you know what i am talking about.

okfoz

Whelp, I just got my Programmable Display today, and unfortunately, I do not believe it will be possible to put it in an overhead console, its about an inch too wide...

BUT I am thinking about the dash...

its fun to play...

TexasLT1

so you can put any message you want in the thing? how do you program it. is it fairly easy? and you say it just takes closing certain contacts to display a single message?

igotslicksNchix

sounds like some knightrider stuff to me, i like! keep me posted, i wanna see how this works out, pics too please! and how do ya program it? also, how much does one of those bad boys set ya back?

Absalom

I like the idea about the over head console.. sounds like the bastard son of the "On Star" family

TexasLT1

well, I checked it out on there website the other day and its only like $70 or something like that. it seems pretty reasonable for what it can do. I might think about it some more when I get ready to do my panel

igotslicksNchix

i checked out the price at MCM by the part number itself, i came up with like 145. what did you do wrong? lol. I still wanna know the specifics on programmin the SOB.

TexasLT1

hey come on now, so I was a LITTLE off on the price. ah well, I was going from memory anyway. still pretty cool though

okfoz

To program it there are 5 buttons on the board, you program in what you want it to say, for each of the 14 messages then when you close the connection between one of the connections and "common" then it will display the message. it will take some work with some relays...

John

Ergo60

OK, how many of you are interested in building something like that from a kit?
I work in electronics for a living and duplicating what they have there can be pretty easily done. The LCD display modules can be had for 10-15.00 and the rest is all done in the micro controller(did I mention that I can program them?) 145.00 is way steep. A basic 8051 micro can be had for around 5.00. And can run the LCD and all the inputs that you need. A simple 1.50 EEPROM can hold all the display data, and you could even add serial comm with another 1.50 RS232 converter chip. All the hard work is done in the Micro.

TexasLT1

Ergo, so basically what you are saying is, you can do it for cheaper and make it more powerful and easier to interface?

okfoz

will that also be backlit?

Ergo60

TexasLT1,
What I am saying is that it can be made cheaper, and easier to use. 145 just seems a little steep for what it does. I made essentially the same thing several years ago as a project that would pop up a different saying depending on what switch you press. It took an LCD/Micro(PIC or 8051)/and an EEPROM. Not really much else. There are several free programers for micros, and most of them use either Basic or C as the language. If I have some extra time this winter I can demo one up and give the source and a parts list. So YES I can do it cheaper and make it easier to use. I could even write the windows program to transfer the data to it(did I also mention that I am a software programmer?) But I usually do not do that kind of project in the summer time, and I am working right now on getting my project car done. If there is enough interest here I would be willing to spend a little time on it now, and then refine it later.

okfoz,
backlighting is easy, most modules come with it, and it is easy to implement. And they come in all shapes and sizes. I am working with one right now that is a VFD with the LCD interface, and it is bright enough to see from across a room!!..

You can even get them in different colors, the sky is the limit, well maybe the wallet is the limit.

omnipotentgoku

iTrader: (1)

:hail: show us the way

okfoz

ergo60,
can you get me some of the electroluminescent sheet so I can play with it??? I am willing to pay.

John

Ergo60

okfoz,
Check these guys out for EL Sheets:
EL Link

I think I need to clarify something, I do not make the LCD panels. I have used several, in different projects, and different sizes, but I do not actually make the panel itself. I have experience in using them, and programming microcontrollers. But to actually make an LCD is beyond the capeabilities of the equipment that I have access to.

omnipotentgoku,

Any time. Like I said I will look into it, but my priority right now is getting my car finished, you all should undeerstand. But I will have some time next next week while on a business trip to Texas, and I will start on a basic layout for a prototype that you guys can play with.

I could get started earlier if you guys want to come to my place and sandblast the rust off my car (yeah right)

okfoz

thanks ergo60...

Hey I just noticed your sig, converting to TPI, I did that in one of my cars... Its a big job but its worth it. (Its easier if you strip your car first of EVERYTHING that will not be needed, then start taking pieces off a donor car and put it on yours.)

John

TexasLT1

ergo, on those EL sheets, they showed a Reebok thing at the bottom. are they showing you that you can have it display whatever you want or is it just a single design that you can get to light up? basically Ive been looking for something that you could use as a display, kind of like an LCD touchscreen or something like that. any ideas? I want something that I could hook up to a computer or a chip or something.

Ergo60

okfoz,
I have not done it yet, I have a good line on the engine/tranny combo with complete wiring harness and computer from a 89. I dont think it should be a big deal. I have done several conversions on Jeeps. MOn mine I swaped in a 4.3 Vortec and the 4L60E transmission, and assisted two others in an LT1/NV4500 and an LT1/4L60E. I dont think the Camaro can be any harder than thoes. Anything beats the carburate POS that is in it now. Nothing personal against the carbs, but I just love Fuel injection. I am hopig to finish the body work by then end of next month, then I can have the engine bay painted, and then work on the engine install.

TexasLT1.
Thoes are just backlighting sheets, that is what an EL is. It is just a way of spreading out the light for say, backlighting an LCD screen. As far as touch screen and others, just do a google search, there are many out there, but most will require some programming skills.

igotslicksNchix

hey ergo, sounds like i'd pay ya whatever it costs, to make it and a lil extra, my firebird won't be finished until at least next spring so i can definately wait till winter. Kepp in touch, i'm interested in buying it!

igotslicksNchix

also guys, i found a similar concept i cam up with when browsing the All Electronics discount catalog. Found an infra-red mini camera w/ outputs for 97 bucks, and a 4" LCD screen (kinda like the ones from a game gear, a lil bigger though). the screen is 140. i figure, mount the infra-red camera up front and the screen in the car somewhere and then you could see stuff like deer in the street at night. Plus sometimes the firebird lights don't wanna pop up, perfect use for it! sound like a good idea?

okfoz

If you had a way yo flip over the image then show it on the windshield like the cadillac, that would be a REALLY cool mod too.

John

Ergo60

igotslicksnchix,

No problem, like I said I am going to have some free time this next week while on a business trip, and I will see about getting started on something. The cost shouldnt be to high, since you will be buying all the parts yourself. I will even give you part numbers and places to get it from, there are many out there that are waaaayyyy cheaper than MCM on this kind of stuff. I will let you know how it went when I get back...

igotslicksNchix

okfoz, that mod would cost more thn the car itself! i think the color LCD video screen is a better way to go. Maybe in a few years when one of those caddy's are in the junkyard............

I think we are all the bastard sons of GM's electronics dept. lol