Elio Gauge Cluster - Lord Elgin? - Other Options?

[Ekh]

No problem, I understand that most people do not have an understanding of how these systems work. While I already had some knowledge of them I have learned a lot more in the last few weeks researching the issue and possible solutions.

All the normal sensors you would expect in a modern car are installed in the Elio and these sensors are constantly streaming their data on the vehicles internal communication network which is called the CAN bus. The way an automotive CAN bus functions is that each sensor simply identifies its fuction in the data it streams and anything that connects to the CAN bus can see this information. On many vehicles the ECU also functions as a conduit hosting CAN bus data via the OBD-II port however in the Elio the ECU they have chosen does not support serving as a host for this data so the connection is limited to OBD-II diagnostics information.

There is nothing preventing anyone from simply bypassing the ECU and tapping into the main CAN bus directly thus accessing all the required sensor data nor is this difficult to do. This is what the Skyzmatic system has been designed to do and how it gets around the ECU limitations. Navdy could attempt to create a solution to do the same thing or my guess is that they will more likely simply provide limited functionality in the Elio by drawing power from the OBD-II port but use GPS data from your phone to determine your speed.

The issue is that OBD-II accessories are programmed to work via the OBD-II port and as such are looking to connect to the ECU. This is why I am working on a solution which would integrate the CAN bus information back into an OBD-II connector as this would allow these devices to work. To make it even more convenient I would like to include Bluetooth OBD-II functionality as well without the need for another adapter. There are several ways of accomplishing this, and some are quite easy , however which way is best will be determined by what exactly EM is doing. I have already reached out to EM to get this information and they are very willing to provide the required technical data but of course there are a few hoops I have to jump through as well.

I had no idea! You da man!

 

[RUCRAYZE]

I was hoping that by the end of the year we would have more posts about the Elio Gauge Cluster (now approx 34, 500) than reservations, Since we have no direct effect of reservations, just a few thousand more posts could put us over the top!!
We've piled 'em on thus far please don't quit now!

 

[CheeseheadEarl]

I'll start with I'm an Elgin hater. I want something more "normal", even if I have to pay for it.

There might be one more compelling reason: the Lord Elgin dash is potentially cheaper.

I came across a Mercedes-Benz C250 the other day. The center of the speedometer contains a digital display, meaning that the needle that points to the vehicle speed is mounted to a ring around the circumference of the speedometer. While I have no idea if Dakota makes the C250 dash, this same mechanism could be used to mechanize the Elio dash. Because the Elio dash only has to be lit in the viewable window, it probably doesn't require the multiple LEDs to keep the needle in the Mercedes-Benz dash uniformly lit as it travels around its circumference. This ultimately saves money, even if it's only pennies.

That one looks good, right?





































Here's the same display (blown up 2x for my caveman editing technique) crudely turned into an Elgin style display. So, are we just infatuated with the 99% of the dial we're not using? Food for thought.

Edited to show original display, hopefully.

 

[Kegger]

I guess since we're going to get it, regardless of what we say, I'm going to look at some of the positives.

• Mechanically speaking the Elgin Display is not much different in than the needle.
  • Both spin on an axis, one just has a little sliver and the other has an entire face.
• The numbers on the Elgin display are in fact larger than what a normal speedometer would have with the needles. I think the few pictures out there don't do it justice due to the fuzziness.
• Sure it has idiot lights, but ya know what? It's a running vehicle for $6,800.
  • My $10,000 Yamaha V-Star doesn't even have a tachometer...that annoys me. Has a big ole needle speedometer, and a bunch of idiot lights.
• I really like the fuel gauge. It would be nice if they balanced it out with a temp gauge on the other side, but it does have a tachometer.
• For all intents and purposes, it does the job.

 

[Dustman]

Whew, I finally finished reading this thread. It took about 3 weeks of what little spare time I can devote to this forum, but mission accomplished. Soooo, anything else besides the Great Elgin Debate been going on in the world of Elio?

 

[CheeseheadEarl]

Yes. Check out the gas cap debate. See ya in about 6 months!

 

[Kegger]

Yes. Check out the gas cap debate. See ya in about 6 months!

I could always use a bit more exercise! That's 3 more steps I have to take every month and a half when I fill up!

 

[zelio]

Whew, I finally finished reading this thread. It took about 3 weeks of what little spare time I can devote to this forum, but mission accomplished. Soooo, anything else besides the Great Elgin Debate been going on in the world of Elio?

Nice to see you here again. Missed you. :-) Z

 

[RKing]

And don't forget the gas (non) cap

 

[Jambe]

CheeseheadEarl,

I'll probably regret asking this without cogitating on it for a bit, but what is "E" and "HOLD".