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DisplayLink meets Laptop/computer in the car


Paul Moran

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I love the idea you have put forth with the DisplayLink, but I'd like to run the DisplayLink software on my laptop or better yet a computer built into my car with a dash mount LCD screen.  Would you make the software (or a driver so I can make my own software) available to get a read only view of what the (old) LinkPlus supplies on the serial output connector?


I've considered using the DOS based logging program you provide, but the DisplayLink is very close to what I'm looking for.  I'd like to be able to add a Speedometer based on the RPM and overall drive ratio - probably displaying 4 possible speeds - one for each gear I may be in.

Paul...

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I think we have covered that one .... Its call PCLink!!! (excuse the sarcasm)  PCLink can display all runtime data on a PC/laptop in the form of plots, graphs, graphical gauges and all the other limits, setting and tables.  You will need a SerialLink or ComLink to plug your laptop in.  PCLink is a free downlaod (you need V2.5)...

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi Ashley - Yes, I'm very familiar with PCLink, but I feel really designed for tuning the link with most of the display dedicated to the fuel and spark grids.


What I'm looking for is a program dedicated to a "Dashboard" where the whole screen would have nice gauges for every aspect of the LinkPlus.  I know you can reconfigure PCLink to show any values on any of its preconfigured gauges (as well as the min, max and warning levels) but I guess I want more.


Would LinkElectro consider making a driver available to allow development of our own custom "dashboards" with just a read only view of the outputs from the ECU?  I would not want to be able to set/store any values, just have read only access.

I keep picturing some of the displays that you see on the LCD dashboards in Fast & Furious.  PCLink is not at that level.

Paul...

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If you could make a 'Fast and Furious' display then I would be the first person keen to see it working!!!  There is a special communications protocol designed just for display and logging of EUC parameters used by some people for special tasks.  There is no 'Dirver' as such and a software developer would have to write some serial comms routines, which to anybody capable of making something that clever and graphical would be redicuously easy...

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  • 3 months later...

Ashely, I also wish to run a laptop in my Link G3 based rally car. I however have no issues with PC Link. The gauge set, logging and tuning all suit my needs. However, and you knew this was coming, I need to start the app automatically (no problems), connect automatically, log automatically and display gauges... automatically. Is there a command line interface for PC Link, a startup script, or will I have to write something like a "MS Test" script to automatically punch buttons? Regards Daniel.

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You can setup PCLink to automatically connect.  Automatic startup of the app is easy.  The latest version of PCLink should startup with the screen setup how you last had it.  You will have to set up some sort of macro/script to get the logging running.  Remember you will need to save the log files with a different name before each time you shut down...

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  • 3 months later...

Hi Ashley. Im very curious about the special communications protocol you mentioned above as id also like to have a few dedicated gauges running on my in dash LCD. Ive already got a car PC running on it with a PossumLink and PCLink 2.5. I have some basic PIC and Visual Basic programming knowledge so id like to have a try at making a standalone gauge program. I was hoping you could give me some pointers on what the actual protocol is or how I can read the COM output. Ive tried Google but I couldnt find anything on the subject relating to Link ECUs.. maybe I was searching too specifically? Thanks for the great products and look forward to your reply. Ciaran.

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You wont find anything on our communications protocols as they have never been published.  The special protocol I was talking about is only available in G2/G3 ECU's.  Older ECU's such as the PossumLink each have their own protocols.  Unfortunately I am not allowed to give out that information, but I can tell you that if you were to use a program to watch the serial communications, or set it up so you can see it in a terminal program, you will find that figuring out how it works is pretty easy.  Sorry I cant be more help...

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