First Try DIY: Oil+Fuel Pressure LCD Display

MotorvateDIY

First Try DIY: Oil+Fuel Pressure LCD Display


Here is an update on the DIY multi-function gauges I have been working on.

The main reason I wanted to do this, was to have an in car oil pressure gauge/display. I have been reading many posts of people's galley gaskets failing, and since I had already installed a 150 psi oil pressure sensor a year ago, I was already half done.

The first working prototype is done and overall it works well.
What's Good:
• Large 4.3" display
• Good resolution at 480x272
• Display has built in embedded video engine (like a GPU)
• Fast 60 frames per second graphic rendering
• Hardware anti-aliasing (give the appearance of higher resolution)
• Has capacitive (5 point!) touch screen
• Arduino Uno clone sends "light weight" commands to the LCD's embedded video engine

What's NOT Good:
• Viewing angle is small
• High cost ($130 in 2017)
• Creates analog noise that causes the gauge's "needle shake"
• LCD colours are not fully saturated.
• Too bulky resulting in no logical place to put it. However, it did fit nicely in the glove box, but that it too low and too far away from the driver in my opinion.
​​​​​​​• My oil pressure in in spec!!

As a result, the development of this prototype has been stopped.

BUT with everything learned on the first version, we will be applying it to the second generation gauges / mini-dash.

I should have the next update in a few weeks.

Here is a short video of the first prototype: