1975 K-10 Project

[LTZ C20]

"Top notch work"? I am embarrassed and truly humbled.

No need for either.  Your product and the manner in which you express yourself speak for themselves.

"the crucial systems warning platform (in the final breadboard stage of development)"

More info please!

I'm developing a warning/shutdown system that integrates with factory and aftermarket gauges & senders.  The circuit design is mostly complete save for a few amendments and circuit refinements.  Still need to prove functionality of the charging system monitor, layout the ICs on the PCB, and build the harness that connects the module to the cluster.

BD, like an engine failsafe system to shut down the engine incase of overheat, ignition loss, oil pressure loss or some kind of terminal engine failure?

[BBM3]

bd,
Interesting project.
When you say shutdown are you planing to kill the engine if an input signal is out of whack?

I have designed and built a number ATMega based projects. Everything from simple wireless remote temperature and humidity alarm / monitoring to an IP to IR controller that gives my disabled wife control over all of the functions of our AV equipment in the family room with her iPad.
I have become pretty good at hardware design and etching my own circuit boards at home. My C+ skills are still lacking.

[BBM3]

LTZ C20 beat me to the same question while I was typing.

[bd]

It's a rudimentary system... but I was bored.      The system performs a 6-second self-test each time the ignition is cycled on.  Timed audible and continuous visual (LED) alarms will draw attention to the offending oil pressure, coolant temp, fuel pressure or volt gauges whenever the respective parameters violate adjustable thresholds.  A visual only indication (flashing LEDs) is associated with transmission temp and engine oil temp gauges mounted on the A-pillar, and a visual only indication (amber LED) is associated with low fuel level.  3mm LEDs are mounted in the faces of the factory instrument cluster gauges; 5mm LEDs are mounted adjacent to the aftermarket digital gauges mounted on the A-pillar.  Engine shutdown occurs only if oil pressure drops below ~10 PSI, since catastrophic engine damage will occur quite rapidly.  Engine shutdown has an override feature.  In addition, I hope to buffer the fuel gauge to dampen rapid needle swings caused by fuel slosh in the tanks.  I have no estimate of time frame to complete the project since, as I stated, I tinker with it sporadically when I'm bored.

[LTZ C20]

That's very interesting. Ide very much like to see how that all looks when done. Ide be interested to know also how your going to buffer the fuel gauge, the needle swings from fuel slosh drives me absolutely nuts, I hate it. I've considered updating to Dakota Digital to go along with the new EFI engine but I've also considered one of those float - less sending units to avoid the needle bounce. I've also thought about switching to the 87 style baffled tanks but I'm not sure if those are steel or plastic as I want to keep steel tanks, I like it better than the plastic and currently I have factory steel units for both tanks.

[AZ87V10]

I have an 87 with dual tanks and I can confirm that they are both factory original and both are steel! Although the left side has a crack just below the filler neck nipple, so it leaks gas when the tank is completely full. As far as I know, they are baffled since my needle doesn't bounce too much with gas slosh.

[LTZ C20]

I have an 87 with dual tanks and I can confirm that they are both factory original and both are steel! Although the left side has a crack just below the filler neck nipple, so it leaks gas when the tank is completely full. As far as I know, they are baffled since my needle doesn't bounce too much with gas slosh.

Well that's good to know. Mine depending on how abrupt the motion of the ocean can bounce as little as 1/8 tank or almost 1/2. This really is a topic for another time tho. BBM3, you can have your thread back lol.

[BBM3]

Well that's good to know. Mine depending on how abrupt the motion of the ocean can bounce as little as 1/8 tank or almost 1/2. This really is a topic for another time tho.
BBM3, you can have your thread back lol.

I have an idea how to damp the fuel gauge. I'll get on it ASAP.
This is good stuff keep it going.

[LTZ C20]

Well that's good to know. Mine depending on how abrupt the motion of the ocean can bounce as little as 1/8 tank or almost 1/2. This really is a topic for another time tho.
BBM3, you can have your thread back lol.

I have an idea how to damp the fuel gauge. I'll get on it ASAP.
This is good stuff keep it going.

What are you thinking there? If you don't mind sharing?

[BBM3]

Use a micro controller that samples the sawtooth analog output from the fuel level sender(s) and output a smoothed, averaged, slightly delayed output to the fuel gauge.
At the same time it would be possible to accurately calibrate indicated full and empty.

[LTZ C20]

Use a micro controller that samples the sawtooth analog output from the fuel level sender(s) and output a smoothed, averaged, slightly delayed output to the fuel gauge.
At the same time it would be possible to accurately calibrate indicated full and empty.

I'm interested because right now dakota digital is looking really nice. I wanna little modern update to the cluster anyway.

[BBM3]

The Dakota system is in a whole different league.
You peaked my interest in simply attenuating the slosh effect of non baffled fuel tanks.

[BBM3]

Here is an informative update......
I accomplished nothing on the truck today.
For anyone following I may have some more exciting news tomorrow.
Or not.

[LTZ C20]

Haha "or not." That made me chuckle.

[BBM3]

"OR NOT" for the win!
I did flog the Mustang and nearly finished destroying the rear tires this morning and later watched the Broncos Defense win another game.
Not a bad day.