Computer controlled

Right, ok. So I was thinking yesterday what to do to my defender to make it mine. I don't want to change the dash much by adding any aftermarket dashes and don't like the idea of hitting my knuckles on them all the time.

So my idea is to create a computer control system that would control anything electronic, such as winch, different light combos, electric windows if I ever fit them etc. There would also be the potential to control the stereo through the canbus interface. And do central locking if I make it secure enough.

The idea is that there would be a weatherproof pc of some kind (maybe arduino) somewhere, then a touch screen on the dash. I could then make an app and control everything via Bluetooth on my phone.

Does anyone know something that has been done like this before? Or think it is a good idea?

James

Hmmm, as I`m old school but ex CNC machinist from aerospace componant manufacturing, yes you can control just about everything from one central weather proof control function centre, but at a cost.
then my memory of leaking landies comes back to haunt the thoughts of adding new electronics into a known area of defect becoming apparent....

would I ever do such a thing as you suggest ?

ok, would I ever trust my non electrickeryfied disco 1 to have a supurb restructured electrickey systems fitted to make it better -
answer = you gotta be joking mate.

A quick appraisal of my old J plater disco diesel is
Me - a key - and a non electrickeryfied diesel pump = a landrover that starts at a turn of a key without question, day or night, blazingly hot or cold enought to freeze your eyelids.
DONT UPSET THE STATUS QUO.....

Not sure what's been done before, but these guys do a combined screen and controller plus comms modules Unitronics - PLC - HMI

Not affiliated with them, just do industrial control systems for food.

Schneider did an IP67 rated unit once, though knowing Schneider I doubt it's cheap. Click on Twido Extreme Programmable Controller - Twido - 10 to 100 I/O 1 µs per Instruction - Products overview - Schneider Electric

These may be a bit over the top for what you want, as they designed for industrial processes, but might give you an idea.
http://www.schneider-electric.com/p...l-machines/533-programmable-controller-twido/

Probably not very practical, there's probably much easier, sensible and reliable ways of doing those things. But who cares, I think its a fab idea

I've had a look at those development boards in the past but never got 1 to play with. I think they're all ARM based, so could a Android tablet be used? They have all sorts of ports on them these days. You could use it for SAT/NAV/GPS with a Google Maps app.

Amazing what the humble old BBC Microcomputer evolved into - powering billions of phones, gadgets and now possibly LR Defenders Actually they probably have ARM chips in them from the factory!

Yep, my idea has evolved as I am spending time looking at this instead of working!
So I would get:
Arduino control board
Arduino controlled relays
Bluetooth connector
Some other analogue connectors and sensors
Prob a blue LCD display because it looks cool!

Then I would make a control app, probably for a windows tablet, as my phone is windows. Shouldn't be too difficult really. I have programmer a friend at McLaren who is going to help as well.

I like the idea of satnav! And the dream would also to be able to control some kind of air suspension, but that is waaay down the line!

jonnier said:

Not sure what's been done before, but these guys do a combined screen and controller plus comms modules Unitronics - PLC - HMI

Not affiliated with them, just do industrial control systems for food.

Schneider did an IP67 rated unit once, though knowing Schneider I doubt it's cheap. Click on Twido Extreme Programmable Controller - Twido - 10 to 100 I/O 1 µs per Instruction - Products overview - Schneider Electric

These may be a bit over the top for what you want, as they designed for industrial processes, but might give you an idea.
http://www.schneider-electric.com/p...l-machines/533-programmable-controller-twido/

Click to expand...

Those control systems look great, if a little expensive!

james6546 said:

I like the idea of satnav!

Click to expand...

Sync the phone and the system - if the car's moving and the phone aint near it - text the phone "CAR'S BEEN NICKED - Currently at Geo ..,..." !

GrumpyGel said:

Sync the phone and the system - if the car's moving and the phone aint near it - text the phone "CAR'S BEEN NICKED - Currently at Geo ..,..." !

Click to expand...

Like this idea, but I guess then I would need to have a sim card in the tablet, and leave the tablet in the defender which isn't a clever move seeing as it doesn't really lock!

Ordered this so I can have a go with some programming

[Sintron] Uno R3 Kit with LCD Servo Motor Sensor + PDF Files for Arduino Starter | eBay

make sure you can take it out when you sell it.

personally, i try to limit all electrics and electronics from my landy to improve reliability and maintainability.

trax said:

make sure you can take it out when you sell it.

personally, i try to limit all electrics and electronics from my landy to improve reliability and maintainability.

Click to expand...

Yeah, it will only be controlling things that I add on, like spot lights and a winch, so should be easy to take out. And if it goes wrong it won't be controlling anything that will imobilise the defender.

Will also get it displaying battery voltages and fuel levels if I can work out how to do that!

Plan now is
Release 1- spot lights, flood lights and winch
Release 2- battery levels, fuel levels, dual tank controls, rev counter if I can work it out
Release 3- stereo control
Release 4- locking and alarm
Release 5- air suspension

Easy to do, reliability the issues

I have done this to my land rover, and I changed the name from defender to discovery.

Ha, I don't think the electrics will be that intrusive into the normal running, though currently trying to work out how to add some cameras into the system

james6546 said:

Yeah, it will only be controlling things that I add on, like spot lights and a winch, so should be easy to take out. And if it goes wrong it won't be controlling anything that will imobilise the defender.

Will also get it displaying battery voltages and fuel levels if I can work out how to do that!

Plan now is
Release 1- spot lights, flood lights and winch
Release 2- battery levels, fuel levels, dual tank controls, rev counter if I can work it out
Release 3- stereo control
Release 4- locking and alarm
Release 5- air suspension

Click to expand...

did you not fancy using a pi?

you could stick on cctv at each corner of the roof and have it upload pics to inet

Your idea seems very interesting, and I'd like to see the results, but the technology is way beyond my knowledge!

If you want to make the Defender your own, for a lot less money, have you thought of applying a "One Life...Live It" sticker? I bet no-one's thought of that before.


:behindsofa:

trax said:

did you not fancy using a pi?

you could stick on cctv at each corner of the roof and have it upload pics to inet

Click to expand...

Until the memory card corrupts-don't ask

wattfield said:

Your idea seems very interesting, and I'd like to see the results, but the technology is way beyond my knowledge!

If you want to make the Defender your own, for a lot less money, have you thought of applying a "One Life...Live It" sticker? I bet no-one's thought of that before.


:behindsofa:

Click to expand...

Ha, yeah maybe I will do that...or not.

I did look at using a raspberry pi, but it would be a lot more work. The arduino stuff seems specifically made to do this kind of thing. You can actually get cameras for it, but I have my doubts about how well they would work over bluetooth, so it may be a couple of small screens somewhere in the dash.
If I have to do any graphical displays I will probably use a raspberry pi as well as an ardunio, but then it's probably getting a bit too complicated...

The good thing about my idea is that there is nothing to press or interact with, so I can put it wherever it will fit and I can get wiring to. With the battery under the passenger seat is the easiest at the moment in a sealed tupperware box.

My Fender has fully functioning binary interfaces for most things, and they are about as reliable as it is possible to get without spending an absolute fortune on new plc's and graphic displays.

Circuit diagrams could be made available I suppose, but do I really, really, really want to share all of my years of trial and error and experience??

kids these days...

i remember when i first got my LR i wanted to make it bigger and noisier, now this guy wants to bolt a microwave into the dashboard!

each to their own etc james and make sure the build is well documented for others to take inspiration from, but im mostly interested to know where you get your drugs from!!!