Custom digital Info-tainment console for M39/M35 trucks

[SandBar]

I have been working on a project to provide a host of modern features for my M51A2.

This is a prototype, born from me designing a simple dual gauge pod then wanting to add more functionality.

I plan to source some nicer buttons, and 3d print the enclosure out of a more durable OD colored polymer for the final version. It is designed to bolt up above the dash in the center using the existing fasteners found there.

A few features this raspberry pi powered console provides:

5" capacitive touch LCD
Customizable digital gauges: EGT, Boost etc
Alarm indicators based on gauge thresholds
Backup camera
Front facing dashcam with DVR
Mp3/ FM tuner
GPS
Optional ATSC TV tuner
Digital relay control
More...

Accepts 24v input presently thanks to a buck converter. Lots more details soon.

 

[SandBar]

Reserved

 

[US6x4]

I like it! A backup camera and a forward looking trip camera would be cool. How would it communicate with analog sensors on the engine or would it need different sensors to function?

 

[SandBar]

For egt and boost, it can have exclusive access to those sending units, reading voltage and mapping the values is a snap on a pi. Tapping into the existing gauge data I am investigating now.

No reason I couldn't add service maintenance reminders also (oil life, inspection items etc).

 

[Ajax MD]

Interesting.

 

[SandBar]

Updated the design a bit and printed in a stronger polymer. The new buttons have led's in them, so I can use them to draw attention (red for an alert condition, green for status conditions). Toggle switch is power on and off, can leave it on and the system will boot up when the ignition is turned on. The software is coming along well, can fit about 7 different instrumentation elements on the screen presently (gauges, sliders, alerts).