Older Truck Computer?

[Bustnbig2]

I have an old Motorhome (1984). I am going through a "I wonder if it is possible" moment.

I would like to figure out if there is a way to put a computer in that I can monitor engine, trans, and other items.

This is my thinking. You are driving down the road with you dash mounted screen going. You glance at the dash and see that fuel, oil pres. and speedo gauges are normal but you wonder how the Tranny is doing. You press the gauges icon on the computer and you now has oil pressure, oil temp, cooling temp, tranny temp, and maybe even air to fuel pop up. Everything is good so you turn the GPS back on.

The easy answer is to mount the gauges, but with a computer already installed, think of the possibilites. you could pay $20 for a web cam and instead of a $200 back up cam. You could upgrade to a holley fuel injection and do adjustments from the front seat. Someone could even build a USB air shock controller so you could change pressure on the fly.

To the question. This is what I need. I need a USB devise that has inputs for oil pressure & temp, water temp, tach, etc; and a powersourve for a computer that is 12v. A program to monitor everything would be nice too. This is a motorhome so the rest is easy. What do you think?

[GreaseDog]

just buy gauges

[Redliner Raw]

I have an old Motorhome (1984). I am going through a "I wonder if it is possible" moment.

To the question. This is what I need. I need a USB devise that has inputs for oil pressure & temp, water temp, tach, etc; and a powersourve for a computer that is 12v. A program to monitor everything would be nice too. This is a motorhome so the rest is easy. What do you think?

Get a cheap laptop, and use a small 12VDC inverter.

You'll need a custom made piece, and USB input will be expensive. I'd personally go with some form of serial input, like oldschool printers and such.

You'll also need custom software, to interpret changes in voltage and current, and display them in some form of interpretable meaning.

You're looking at over $1000 to get this all done, unless you're a hardcore computer nerd who can make half this **** and write your own code.

[thekl0wn]

Gonna have to know your computer level of knowledge. Yes, it is possible, but there's no turn-key option (that I know of) for your application. IMO, if you're truly wanting to do a computer, then go over to MP3car.com, and look through the pre-built computers, and then look at something like the Fusion Brain. Then again, if you're like 95% of people, this probably isn't the best option, because without basic knowledge of PC-workings, the learning curve is steep.

Regardless of what method you do, please don't use an inverter... Get yourself a "smart" DC-DC power supply. The MP3car store has quite a few options, and has a very nice thread on choosing the right power supply for you.

[hotdogstand]

if somebody would make something like this that also had a big hard drive and windows media player that came in a D1/2 or double din, maybe DVD drive or something, I'd buy one. Add in GPS like google maps, or a touch screen, and you've got the best head unit out there imo.

[thekl0wn]

if somebody would make something like this that also had a big hard drive and windows media player that came in a D1/2 or double din, maybe DVD drive or something, I'd buy one. Add in GPS like google maps, or a touch screen, and you've got the best head unit out there imo.

Go to MP3car.com's store... It's all there. :read:

[cruizerman]

You can search on newegg or other computer hardware sites to find things like USB controllers and USB 12v relay hubs.
ALso look at MP3car.com as others have said.

[d_johnsen]

is the engine carb or TBI?

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/general-discussion/interior-tech/392235-tach-radio-location-obs.html

This thread shows an interesting touch screen system, and it appears it is mounted in an 88-94 obs which would be tbi if factory.. just thought id pass it by ya