Topic: I built my first adjustable MAP sensor, and some other junk

[midnightcwby]

A wide band O2 is an awesome idea for very precise readings. It gives you MUCH better resolution over your stock O2.  To get an idea of what’s up though, your stock O2 will work.  The A/F gauge I have plans for has an adjustable scale so it can accommodate a different sensor later.

[supryj4]

sounds great keep me informed I would really like to buy one from you if you decide to make some up

[midnightcwby]

I'm just waiting for the parts for the A/F gauge to come in from WWW.Allelectronics.com  I suggest you guys who like electronic gatgets and stuff to check these guys out!  They have some AWESOME prices.  They've got a real nice L.E.D. super bright flash light that I'm going to have to pick up.  It's nice to have a good, reliable flash light when you break at night!  They have L.E.D. head lamps for hands free work too.  They've got all kinds of crap on there at pretty great prices.  I'll see how fast this stuff gets here and how pleased I am with my order, but so far I give these guys 2 thumbs up for sure!

I have yet to find a reasonable source on the  LM3914N (DOT/Bar Display Driver) chip.  I have found a few places that will ship in the single digits (I don't want 1,000 of the damn things!) but they want about 5 bucks for the damn thing, then a few bucks to ship it!!!  Just drop it in an envelope and stick a stamp on it, get real people!  I may just break down and spend 8 or so to get one shipped, but I hope I can find a cheaper source for future reference.  I wanted to make a few of these things and sell them first come first serve to you guys, but 8 bucks for the driver chip is about 5 bucks more than I was expecting to have one shipped for. That'll add 5 bucks to the total cost for me to build them. Oh well, there still tons cheaper than the 60 dollar models at AutoZone!  Anyway, I expect to get most of the parts by Thursday or so.  As soon as I get them, I'll finish up the front panel and post some pics for you guys to take a peek.
If any of you get a connection on those driver chips for less than 8 bucks shipped, please let me know.  I'm doing my best to check all of my regular parts suppliers, but there all about the same so far!

[Ichytriggerfingr]

Wow, how fantastic. I've wanted to do this for awhile, but the electrical stuff is where my auto skills are most deficient. Geez, if I could be put on a waiting list that would be awesome. And hey, if you need a down payment to cover parts, I think it would be well worth it.
Thanks so much.

[midnightcwby]

I'm not going to want any down payments or anything.  I'm going to get these devices finished as soon as school lets me.  I'll test them, and IF they do what there supposed to, I'll see who really wants them and work with them to either help them make one themselves or just make one and ship it to them if I have the time and resources.  I don't see why I wouldn't be able to do that, but stuff seems to happen when you least expect it, so AT VERY LEAST, I'll post all of my results, all of my schematics, and all of my designs for enclosures and stuff, along with all the advice I can offer on the construction process for who ever needs it.  Either way, I'd like to be able to let you guys know some real info into this mod and clear up if it really does what it's claimed to do.

[midnightcwby]

I finally found a source for the driver chip I needed to make the Air/Fuel Ratio meter, E-BAY of course!  I get them for like $2 and it costs an initial $2.50 to ship the first one and $.01 to ship each additional one after that.  I ordered 4, so it looks like I'll be building 3 extra Map Adjuster - Air/Fuel Ratio boxes.  I also found a place that sells a nice kit that I'll be able to use one of my laser printers to print my circuit on a special film that I can transfer to the copper clad boards with an iron.  These will be pretty clean and nice looking.  I will have integrated the dual map adjustor circuit with the A/F meter circuit so I will only have to etch one board for each unit.  This will save me time and make them cheaper to make.

when it's done e-mail it to me and I'll make a nice CAD drawing for everyone including part numbers and stuff. Nice work......... your making two....right? haha

If I give you the circuit schematic, component location and layout, and PC Board dimensions, can you make a cad drawing of just the circuit in my requested dimensions?  The reason I ask is if making a printable circuit to the proper scale becomes a pain in the rear, I'd like to be able to supply you with the information and have you draw it up and save it in an image format I'll be able to print from my computer.  I can print that image directly to this special plastic transfer film and iron that directly to the PCB's so I can etch them.  I have a copy of Electronic Work Bench, and I think that will have the DIP socket templates and such that I will need to make the image myself.  If not, though, it would be nice to know of someone who will be able to hook it up so I can get a few more of these things built.

Anyway.  I know it's taking a little while, but I really am getting some where with the project, and I've got a crap load of other stuff going on too (who doesn't?!).  So bear with me  :)   I'll post info as often as I can.   I can't wait 'till these driver chips get in so I can finish this puppy and try 'er out!!!

[midnightcwby]

I've held off posting a schematic because I'm currently integrating the two devices into one design (the MAP adjustor and the A/F gauge).  I'll post it when I get it done in a day or two.  Thanks for your patience, I really hope this thing ends up earning the bacon and being as useful as I've been told it will be.  I can definitely see how being able to adjust for mods to your fuel injected engine will be nice!

[littleredbeater]

e-mail them to me at derekoflifer@yahoo.com and I'll draw them up. Just put as many dimensions on it as you can.

[midnightcwby]

Cool.  If EWB can't do what I need it to I'll send the stuff to you.  Thanks!

[midnightcwby]

All right.  I'm FINALLY getting back to this project after the move.  I have been researching better board building techniques to speed up the process for my robotics projects I'm going to be getting into.  I came across a very nice process that involves one of my many laser printers.  This will give extremely accurate, attractive, and reliable boards.  I'm gathering all the necessary materials as we speak and I'll test this procedure this weekend ( I work 3 on 3 off, 4 on 4 off; I have big weekends! )   I also bought 3D modeling software and I now have circuit design/board design software that rocks!  I have the Air/Fuel adjuster proto-type built and bench tested already, and I now have a scale printout of the Air/Fuel Ratio Gauge's circuit as well.  I'll be using that circuit as my test subject so I'll have a prototype board ASAP.  I'm also waiting on the L.E.D. driver chips.  Once I have these in my hand, it's just a matter of soldering all the parts to the board and plugging the baby in.  I really hope this thing works the way the designer says it will!!  

[SMC4WD]

The check is in the mail

[supryj4]

Me too just give me that adrress

[chardrc]

wow i didnt even read the full first pst wet(will when i have nmore time) but looks like somthing i sould have done in my electronics class for some extrem amount of points and to make somthing i would actualy use :shock:

[midnightcwby]

I got the first board done using the laser printer method last night.  I've still got some 'ironing' out to do (that's actually funny to me because I use an iron to transfer the toner to the PCB... haha), but it seems to work nicely.  I have to get my hands on a band saw to cut the board into 3 pieces so I can etch the other 2 circuits for the 2 extra boxes I'll be making; but the first one looks good.  I'll update when I get that done.

[Jeffy]

Pictures?