cj.surr Posted September 26, 2019 Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 I wanted to share my success using a bluetooth adapter since I have not seen any other posts about using one on this forum. So far I have only tested it with an Android tablet and RealDash. It has been working perfectly. Connection is fast and very reliable. There is no noticeable lag on the dash interface. There are a few advantages of using Bluetooth over USB for a tablet dash. 1) The usb port on the tablet is freed up to be used for charging (this can also be used to automatically turn the tablet on/off with key power) 2) The usb port on the ECU can be dedicated to the Laptop usb cable for tuning (dash cannot be used simultaneously with laptop, but less plugging/unplugging) This is assuming that your Link ECU has separate tuning and CANBUS ports. The Bluetooth Adapter I have been using is one made for Megasquirt MS2/MS3 – PerfectTuning is the manufacturer. https://perfecttuning.net/en/accessories/26-bluetooth-adapter-for-ms2-and-ms3.html There are a few other BT adapters for megasquirt, they are all likely the same Bluetooth chip and work the same. The Megasquirt uses a DB9 connector for serial connection, so that is what comes with the BT adapter. In order to connect to the Link you will need a Link CAN connector http://dealers.linkecu.com/CANF_2 These connectors need to be soldered and can be somewhat difficult due to their small size. Cable pigtail is also available but fairly expensive. The following is the pinout on CAN connector, the BT DB9 connector and where those wires need to end up. This can be wired a few different ways. Either the DB9 connector on the BT adapter can be mated to with a female DB9, or it can be cut off and hardwired (or use a different style connector). The two serial wires will go to the CAN connector on the ECU (TX to RX, and vice versa). The 5v and GND wires will need to go to a 5v power source. Do not use the 5v supply from the ECU, the BT adapter can draw up to 30mA. 12V DC to 5V power supplies are very common, it is the same voltage as USB chargers. What I did was buy a USB charger and hardwire a USB cable pigtail to make the connection. I used and like this model: I recommend powering the 5v power supply from the ACC terminal (radio power) on the ignition switch. This way there is still power to the Bluetooth with the key in position 1 (ignition off). This will allow you to power cycle the ECU without killing power to the Bluetooth adapter – leaving it wirelessly connected to the tablet. This means that the dash will be live in about a second instead of 5-10sec. In order to use the tuning port to connect a laptop, either the CAN connector must be removed or a 2 pole switch/relay must be put on the serial wires coming from the CAN connector. The switch must be within about 20cm of the ECU, otherwise the serial stream may become active and not allow the laptop to connect. Once the laptop has been connected, the ECU must be restarted to allow the serial stream to become active again. Hopefully in the future this can be changed by Link so that the serial stream is reactivated upon laptop disconnect. If there is interest and the forum allows, I could possibly make and sell a plug-and-play Bluetooth solution for the Link G4+. Cost would likely be just a little more than the Perfect Tuning adapter. Here is a video of my dash on a “cold start” – Powered up and connected in less than 10 seconds. Realdash can be set to allow the tablet to sleep when charge power is killed from the tablet. It works well as a OEM style dash and I don’t need to manually touch the tablet at all. This is what the inside of the PT BT adapter looks like. Blue = 5v Orange = GND Grey = RX Yellow = TX h82lose91 and pasta 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dooley391 Posted February 6, 2020 Report Share Posted February 6, 2020 Is it possible for you to make me one of these adapters? I would really like to get rid off all my gauges =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joelostberg Posted March 17, 2020 Report Share Posted March 17, 2020 Hello! Just wondering, could i not use my existing tuningcable, and instead of the DB9 just wire in a female usb port to the bluetooth adapter? That way all you need to do is to unplug the BT adapter, plug in your laptop and powercycle the ecu? That way i dont need a pricey can connector? Or is the tuningcable not the same as the canconnector? Greetings, Joel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adamw Posted March 18, 2020 Report Share Posted March 18, 2020 9 hours ago, joelostberg said: Just wondering, could i not use my existing tuningcable, and instead of the DB9 just wire in a female usb port to the bluetooth adapter? That way all you need to do is to unplug the BT adapter, plug in your laptop and powercycle the ecu? No, the tuning port is USB only, not RS232/serial. Since the bluetooth device is serial, you will need to connect it to the serial port. 9 hours ago, joelostberg said: That way i dont need a pricey can connector Do you mean the LTW CANF connector? They are under like USD$15 from most electronic suppliers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muskwatch Posted March 21, 2020 Report Share Posted March 21, 2020 I just had a friend solder me a spliced cable to power my tablet, with power coming into it from a different plugin, so I can now be connected to the ECU and charging at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Kriedeman Posted March 27, 2020 Report Share Posted March 27, 2020 I use proper OTG (ON THE GO) cables from GADGETS FOR GEEKS here in Australia. They are a Y shaped cable and allow for data transfer and device charging at the same time. The part number is (S - PC- 4562B) from memory it cost approx. AUST $15.00. Regards Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Schneiderbanger Posted April 8, 2020 Report Share Posted April 8, 2020 does this work with real dash for IOS yet? if not what small device do you recommend for me to buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradsm87 Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 On 3/18/2020 at 5:43 PM, Adamw said: Do you mean the LTW CANF connector? They are under like USD$15 from most electronic suppliers. https://dealers.linkecu.com/CANF_2 Your plug looks like the Amphenol LTW AU-06BFFA-LL7001 but with a sleeve over the top of the centre according to the pic on your web site. What's the go with the sleeve? dx4picco 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adamw Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 That is the correct part number. Its been a long time since I looked at one but from memory they come with that "sleeve" which is actually the rubber gland that goes inside the backshell. So just the photo on the website is not correctly assembled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradsm87 Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 2 hours ago, Adamw said: That is the correct part number. Its been a long time since I looked at one but from memory they come with that "sleeve" which is actually the rubber gland that goes inside the backshell. So just the photo on the website is not correctly assembled. Excellent. Yes that makes sense. I saw that piece in the datasheet. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genetix Posted June 11, 2023 Report Share Posted June 11, 2023 Hello are you able to make an adaptor I’m very interested. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adamw Posted June 11, 2023 Report Share Posted June 11, 2023 You can use the MeatPi for CAN/wifi connection to realdash. OBD2 version: https://mou.sr/43TkD5q wired version: https://mou.sr/43NFY0B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manu30 Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 @Adamw can you please explain how to set up the Meatpi WICAN? I have a G4+ Monsoon Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adamw Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 Wire it to CAN H/L, set ecu to transmit dash2pro on ID1000. Set up realdash as per the instructions here: https://realdash.net/manuals/supported_can_lin_analyzers.php choosing the Link short CAN description file. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stranger24 Posted December 30, 2023 Report Share Posted December 30, 2023 Trying to buy a meatpi and no stock:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adamw Posted December 30, 2023 Report Share Posted December 30, 2023 Crowdsupply and Mouser both show the wiCAN is in stock for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stranger24 Posted December 30, 2023 Report Share Posted December 30, 2023 Yeah but not in UK:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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