New mechanical speedometer drive solution
This is the cool part, there will be buttons on the front of the control box. One button puts it in calibration mode, then you speed up the motor to move the needle to certain points, 30mph, 60mph, 90mph, 120mph... when you have the target speed on your dash you lock in that setting, then the controller will know how fast to turn the motor to get the target speed based on the pulses from the encoder wheel on the motor.
I have an older Mopar speedo, I am working on the mount for it. I don't know if its the same as yours. Could you get me a pic?
Zipster, you are the man! I was leaning towards the tail-shaft modification, but would rather go this route once you get it finalized. I am really interested in this for my 86 Camaro. Great job! 
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Canada
The ECM will need to be correct, gear ratio & tire size.
This is the cool part, there will be buttons on the front of the control box. One button puts it in calibration mode, then you speed up the motor to move the needle to certain points, 30mph, 60mph, 90mph, 120mph... when you have the target speed on your dash you lock in that setting, then the controller will know how fast to turn the motor to get the target speed based on the pulses from the encoder wheel on the motor.
This is the cool part, there will be buttons on the front of the control box. One button puts it in calibration mode, then you speed up the motor to move the needle to certain points, 30mph, 60mph, 90mph, 120mph... when you have the target speed on your dash you lock in that setting, then the controller will know how fast to turn the motor to get the target speed based on the pulses from the encoder wheel on the motor.
My project is a carb project with 4l80e. I was hoping to use the stock gauges but might just do a dash instead.... Or use a GPS speedo.
thanks for the information, I'm keeping an eye on this one.
Bruce
So your not taking into account the carb guys that just want to use the speed sensor on the tranz and convert this to a mechanical speedo?
My project is a carb project with 4l80e. I was hoping to use the stock gauges but might just do a dash instead.... Or use a GPS speedo.
thanks for the information, I'm keeping an eye on this one.
Bruce
My project is a carb project with 4l80e. I was hoping to use the stock gauges but might just do a dash instead.... Or use a GPS speedo.
thanks for the information, I'm keeping an eye on this one.
Bruce
Ya know I did not even think of the carbed guys! But let me look at the outputs from the controller, I might be able to send 5 volt and power the sensor to run the speedo driver. I have to look at some schematics. It might be doable.
Well I looked at the schematics, the vss sensor is a two wire sensor and it seems to be an a/c voltage generator. The computer is sending out the 4000ppm signal. I loked at a couple of aftermarket electronic trans controllers and they seem to have an output signal. now I have contacted Optishift and talked to Kevin. He said the Optishift is able to have a 5volt square wave signal. I would assume the other controllers out there will do this also. So I would have to say It will work with other transmission controllers as long as they have the capability to supply a 5v square signal.
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: West Mich
The way I seen it at least in my case there are 3 wires coming from the VSS. 5v, speed signal and ground. The Autometer guys said I can get a 5 volt regulator at Radio Shack and run most any aftermarket speedo. The reg is very cheap and leaves several options open to speedo's, aftermarket, conversions, etc.
To answer your question from earlier, the connection from the cable is like the GM push clip retainer. Tried Googling the pic it but came up with everything but.
To answer your question from earlier, the connection from the cable is like the GM push clip retainer. Tried Googling the pic it but came up with everything but.
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Brett Foote The way I seen it at least in my case there are 3 wires coming from the VSS. 5v, speed signal and ground. The Autometer guys said I can get a 5 volt regulator at Radio Shack and run most any aftermarket speedo. The reg is very cheap and leaves several options open to speedo's, aftermarket, conversions, etc.
To answer your question from earlier, the connection from the cable is like the GM push clip retainer. Tried Googling the pic it but came up with everything but.
To answer your question from earlier, the connection from the cable is like the GM push clip retainer. Tried Googling the pic it but came up with everything but.
Oh, and the prototype motor controller is being assembled and should be ready for testing be next weekend.
Last edited by zipster; Feb 15, 2012 at 08:43 PM.
I don't think I need your cluster, as long as its the same cable end as the older Mopars it will work. We are making kits so the end user can install it. Very easy to program, and only a couple of wires to connect.
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: West Mich
I'll have to pull my cluster to check the style and how much room I have. I should be able to calibrate it with my GPS? Hopefully it'll be idiot proof. There are a lot of us out there. Price range is good, I would spend that much on a aftermarket speedo and a cup to mount it.
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I have been think about this also and you got me thinking and going back to the days I did qa on embedded devices..
Something like a "Arduino Uno USB Microcontroller Rev 2" should work well as a micro controller for this project. they are only about $25-30
i was looking at this http://arduino.cc/playground/Main/DCMotorControl and it shows how to drive the motor using an additional chip such that you don't burn out the board. the board could receive inputs with some circuitry also.
I might go down this route if I have time and don't decide to totally replace my speedo on my build with a digital speedo.
The other thing this could be used as a data logger also Log RPM and Tranz vss RPM and see how much your torque converter is slipping. Lauch RPMS. RPM vs speed etc... could do a lot . I am getting more interested in this the more I look at it. Could even calculate 1/4 mile time possible form the data.... if you don't spin based on number of rotations of the tire to get to 1/4 a mile. etc... endless possibilities.
Bruce
Something like a "Arduino Uno USB Microcontroller Rev 2" should work well as a micro controller for this project. they are only about $25-30
i was looking at this http://arduino.cc/playground/Main/DCMotorControl and it shows how to drive the motor using an additional chip such that you don't burn out the board. the board could receive inputs with some circuitry also.
I might go down this route if I have time and don't decide to totally replace my speedo on my build with a digital speedo.
The other thing this could be used as a data logger also Log RPM and Tranz vss RPM and see how much your torque converter is slipping. Lauch RPMS. RPM vs speed etc... could do a lot . I am getting more interested in this the more I look at it. Could even calculate 1/4 mile time possible form the data.... if you don't spin based on number of rotations of the tire to get to 1/4 a mile. etc... endless possibilities.
Bruce
Last edited by bitterman; Feb 16, 2012 at 05:41 PM.
