External Gear Indicator

P1lot · 18th October 2006, 10:09

I read about a simple 7-segment display at RSC by Vladimir Kadlec, and had a go myself. He wrote a little program to send data from LFS through the parallel port.
Read the instructions at RSC forum. You need a 7 segment display, a parallel cable, a few resistors and a bit of soldering.

I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned here so have taken the opportunity to show mine off.
I sometimes found I was messing up in corners when changing to the incorrect gear, at mid corner the in-game gear display is hidden by the arms crossing (I know you can disable the arms being displayed). This external display helps with this and also looks good.
It's also possible to have a shift light on the decimal point, but I've fitted a dedicated shift light for more visibility.

In hindsight, the display I chose was not bright enough (high-efficiency red, HE Red), but it appears better contrast than the picture suggests - it was necessary to have all the lights on for taking the picture.

traxxion · 18th October 2006, 10:12

That's brilliant, thanks for the heads up Gavin!
Off to order a 7 segment display --->

Kada_CZ · 19th October 2006, 21:27

Hello, thanks P1lot for advertising my GI project :-). I'm really sorry, I'm not able to keep in touch two threads in paralel. If you have comments, please post them on the rsc thread or contact me by PM. Comments _are_ welcome.

jfgcatalan · 19th October 2006, 21:43

My display pwns yours

Just joking, I envy you solder wielding guys... I'd just burn myself.

Kada_CZ · 18th March 2007, 16:10

There is a new version of program and hadware available.

CSU1 · 18th March 2007, 16:19

Fancy schmancey stuff that !!! I just use windoze utillites 'windoow zoom' feature, resize the zoomed window and drive, simple

ted209 · 13th May 2007, 16:17

I'm interested in building one of these. I had a look on ebay and found several 7 segment displays requiring different voltages. Am I right in saying that I need a 5V one for the lpt port?

I'd like a nice bright big display - can anyone recommend one to me?

Thanks,

Ed.

Kada_CZ · 13th May 2007, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by ted209

Am I right in saying that I need a 5V one for the lpt port?

Yes. On the other hand I recommend using ULN2803 with external power source (can be higher than 5V) to protect the LPT port (see the GI page). With ULN2803, use 7-segment LED with common anode. Without ULN2803 (7-segment with resistors soldered directly to the port), use 7-segment with common cathode.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ted209

I'd like a nice bright big display - can anyone recommend one to me?

The best way is to go to the nearest shop with electronic supplies and see for your self :-). The display is cheap, it should be around one-two pounds.

AlfaLover · 13th May 2007, 23:12

I'm currently working on a high costumizable OutGauge USB system:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nggmr7WICuQ

up to 6 servos , fully configurable character LCD screen , and up to 32 digital outputs.

jschneider · 14th May 2007, 09:59

I definitly would like to buy such a great thing

.

Qgal5kap · 15th May 2007, 16:21

that's just freakin awesome ! lol

Nick A · 16th May 2007, 07:49

I would like to make your gear indicator with a built-in rev indicator, using 5 LEDs connected to the remaining pins. Something like this:

http://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?&tier1=Electronic+Components&tier 2=Optoelectronics&tier3=Light+Bars+And+Bargraphs&t ier4=5-segment+LED+Array&moduleno=29358&catRef=56-0965

I think that this is not possible with your current GI program, only a single rev limit can be used, is that right? I was wondering whether you might be able to add support for this in GI by allowing the user to set five rev values in the config file such that when revs>rev1value the LED 1 is lit and so on for the other 4? Would be really grateful if you could add it! J

Turbo Dad · 16th May 2007, 08:25

http://forum.rscnet.org/attachment.p...4&d=1176076378

Nick A · 16th May 2007, 12:06

Very nice! USB though so i guess much harder to do. Do you have a link to that thread?

Kada_CZ · 16th May 2007, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick A

I would like to make your gear indicator with a built-in rev indicator, using 5 LEDs connected to the remaining pins.

Simple answer, I don't plan to do that. There are too many different posibilities, what people would like to have in GI for their specific hardware :-). On the other hand, the sources for GI are released under GPL and you can download it and add functions you want... It is not complicated, if you know C. Let us know, if you make it work.

Turbo Dad · 17th May 2007, 09:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick A

Very nice! USB though so i guess much harder to do. Do you have a link to that thread?

http://forum.rscnet.org/showthread.php?t=287355

Nick A · 17th May 2007, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kada_CZ

Simple answer, I don't plan to do that. There are too many different posibilities, what people would like to have in GI for their specific hardware :-). On the other hand, the sources for GI are released under GPL and you can download it and add functions you want... It is not complicated, if you know C. Let us know, if you make it work.

Thanks, I hadn't realised you had published the source code. I did a C++ course a couple of years ago but havn't used it since so this would be a great way for me to use what I learned (if I can remember it). I had a good look at the code and I think I've worked out how it's working, enough to be able to do what I want anyway. I will start on it tonight and keep you posted but I expect it will take me a few days.

Nick A · 23rd May 2007, 08:27

Well I got 4 LEDs working as a rev meter in an evening using the extended pins, but adding the 5th one was much harder as I had to use a pin from the non-extended pin set which is coded differently. Anyway, it’s all done now. I'm expecting to receive the parts for making the indicator itself today so will hopefully be able to upload a video of it all working later this week. I’ve been using that great little parallel port monitor program up till now. Thanks Kada!

Kada_CZ · 23rd May 2007, 13:55

Congratulations

Nick A · 24th May 2007, 11:46

Got the parts today. I need some help with the 7 segment LED though. The pins arn't numbered and the datasheet doesn't say which is which. Is there a convention for the numbering? The display has 5 pins at the top and 5 pins at the bottom.

Here it is:
http://www.rapidonline.com/productin...moduleno=64939

There is a link to the datasheet on that page. Thanks.

Nick A · 24th May 2007, 12:15

Panic over. I just noticed there are some little numbers on the diagram which correspond to the end pin numbers.

Nick A · 27th May 2007, 08:04

It's finished! I've uploaded a video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGxGe0XiTuQ

I used OutgaugeGateway to forward the Outgauge data to both MomoLEDs and my adapted version of Kada's GI program. Thanks again Kada, I really enjoyed making this!

Kada_CZ · 27th May 2007, 14:00

Stylish :-), good work

.

dadge · 27th May 2007, 20:31

i am getting my friend to build one for me, but i would also like the rev lights, i have sent Nick A a pm but going by his post count, i doubt he will see the pm :S. all i need is the wiring diagram

Kada_CZ · 27th May 2007, 23:53

I think that Nick_A has rev-diodes on LPT pins 9, 1, 14, 16, 17. The data pins 2-8 are used for gear display. The rest of the trick is in his adapted version of GI software.

dadge · 28th May 2007, 01:27

the reason i am getting my friend to make it is because that stuff may as well be dutch cuz i still won't get it

(i have no clue what you just said lol) but i have email my but the links from here and rsc, so hopefully he will be able to get something sorted

Mark_Raven · 29th May 2007, 17:08

Hi all... first of all, sorry for my bad english...i'm italian...

I just want to know: what do i need for build this gear indicator?!?
- a 7-segment display
- a LPT
- some wire
- some led
- Resistors? (how many ohm)
- what else?

Sorry for this stupid question, but i'm not good with electronic things

Nick A · 29th May 2007, 17:11

That's OK. I'm working on a parts list and circuit diagram for the rev meter version at the moment but you can find all the info you need through Kada's site and links from there. Will post it as soon as it's done.

Mark_Raven · 29th May 2007, 17:22

Thank you so much... waiting for the part list and diagram circuits..

Nick A · 30th May 2007, 12:26

Here is my version of Kada's GI program, which incorporates a 5 LED Rev Meter. The first file is the program, the second is the source code. I have also attached a pdf (also included in the zip files) which has a circuit diagram and parts list for my gear indicator should you wish to make your own.

If you have any questions just give me an email or PM. Good luck!

Edit 20/12/07: New version for patch Y with support for the FBM and adjusted rev meter redlines.

Edit: 02/03/08: V1.1 Update by Kada including output for braking lights and reversing lights and some bug fixes. Thanks

Edit: 06/03/08 v1.2 Added output for "engine running"

Edit: 26/10/08: Mistake in PDF file corrected. Pin 10 should be connected to +9V.

18th October 2006, 10:09	#1 -
P1lot S2 licensed Racername: Gavin Burton Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Teesside, UK Posts: 466	External Gear Indicator I read about a simple 7-segment display at RSC by Vladimir Kadlec, and had a go myself. He wrote a little program to send data from LFS through the parallel port. Read the instructions at RSC forum. You need a 7 segment display, a parallel cable, a few resistors and a bit of soldering. I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned here so have taken the opportunity to show mine off. I sometimes found I was messing up in corners when changing to the incorrect gear, at mid corner the in-game gear display is hidden by the arms crossing (I know you can disable the arms being displayed). This external display helps with this and also looks good. It's also possible to have a shift light on the decimal point, but I've fitted a dedicated shift light for more visibility. In hindsight, the display I chose was not bright enough (high-efficiency red, HE Red), but it appears better contrast than the picture suggests - it was necessary to have all the lights on for taking the picture. Attached Thumbnails __________________ T7R\|P1LOT\| LFS Keys & Commands.pdf

18th October 2006, 10:12	#2 -
traxxion S2 licensed Racername: F1RST R. vd Kooij Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Den Bosch, NL Posts: 1,625	That's brilliant, thanks for the heads up Gavin! Off to order a 7 segment display ---> __________________ Team manager - F 1 R S T_R a c i n g - w w w . f 1 r s t r a c i n g . n l - Twitter - FaceBook Website hosted by Virtual Dynamix Race server hosted by HPR-Network

18th March 2007, 16:10	#5 -
Kada_CZ S2 licensed Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Brno Posts: 134	There is a new version of program and hadware available. __________________ 7-segment shifter indicator, OutGauge server for Richard Burns Rally.

13th May 2007, 23:12	#9 -
AlfaLover S2 licensed Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Barcelona,Spain Posts: 60	I'm currently working on a high costumizable OutGauge USB system: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nggmr7WICuQ up to 6 servos , fully configurable character LCD screen , and up to 32 digital outputs. __________________ I prefer old fast radical Italian cars. Advance Outgauge system on development Visit: www.outgauge.net

14th May 2007, 09:59	#10 -
jschneider S2 licensed Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3	I definitly would like to buy such a great thing .
jschneider S2 licensed Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3

19th October 2006, 21:27	#3 -
Kada_CZ S2 licensed Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Brno Posts: 134	Hello, thanks P1lot for advertising my GI project :-). I'm really sorry, I'm not able to keep in touch two threads in paralel. If you have comments, please post them on the rsc thread or contact me by PM. Comments _are_ welcome.

19th October 2006, 21:43	#4 -
jfgcatalan S2 licensed Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Salamanca, Spain Posts: 63	My display pwns yours Just joking, I envy you solder wielding guys... I'd just burn myself.

18th March 2007, 16:19	#6 -
CSU1 S2 licensed Racername: dodgy Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: ( . )here( . ) Posts: 4,054	Fancy schmancey stuff that !!! I just use windoze utillites 'windoow zoom' feature, resize the zoomed window and drive, simple

13th May 2007, 16:17	#7 -
ted209 S2 licensed Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: East Sussex Posts: 22	I'm interested in building one of these. I had a look on ebay and found several 7 segment displays requiring different voltages. Am I right in saying that I need a 5V one for the lpt port? I'd like a nice bright big display - can anyone recommend one to me? Thanks, Ed.

15th May 2007, 16:21	#11 -
Qgal5kap S2 licensed Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 8	that's just freakin awesome ! lol
Qgal5kap S2 licensed Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 8

16th May 2007, 07:49	#12 -
Nick A S2 licensed Racername: [XOR] ((Onion)) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 350	I would like to make your gear indicator with a built-in rev indicator, using 5 LEDs connected to the remaining pins. Something like this: http://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?&tier1=Electronic+Components&tier 2=Optoelectronics&tier3=Light+Bars+And+Bargraphs&t ier4=5-segment+LED+Array&moduleno=29358&catRef=56-0965 I think that this is not possible with your current GI program, only a single rev limit can be used, is that right? I was wondering whether you might be able to add support for this in GI by allowing the user to set five rev values in the config file such that when revs>rev1value the LED 1 is lit and so on for the other 4? Would be really grateful if you could add it! J

16th May 2007, 12:06	#14 -
Nick A S2 licensed Racername: [XOR] ((Onion)) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 350	Very nice! USB though so i guess much harder to do. Do you have a link to that thread?

23rd May 2007, 08:27	#18 -
Nick A S2 licensed Racername: [XOR] ((Onion)) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 350	Well I got 4 LEDs working as a rev meter in an evening using the extended pins, but adding the 5th one was much harder as I had to use a pin from the non-extended pin set which is coded differently. Anyway, it’s all done now. I'm expecting to receive the parts for making the indicator itself today so will hopefully be able to upload a video of it all working later this week. I’ve been using that great little parallel port monitor program up till now. Thanks Kada!

23rd May 2007, 13:55	#19 -
Kada_CZ S2 licensed Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Brno Posts: 134	Congratulations __________________ 7-segment shifter indicator, OutGauge server for Richard Burns Rally.

24th May 2007, 11:46	#20 -
Nick A S2 licensed Racername: [XOR] ((Onion)) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 350	Got the parts today. I need some help with the 7 segment LED though. The pins arn't numbered and the datasheet doesn't say which is which. Is there a convention for the numbering? The display has 5 pins at the top and 5 pins at the bottom. Here it is: http://www.rapidonline.com/productin...moduleno=64939 There is a link to the datasheet on that page. Thanks.

24th May 2007, 12:15	#21 -
Nick A S2 licensed Racername: [XOR] ((Onion)) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 350	Panic over. I just noticed there are some little numbers on the diagram which correspond to the end pin numbers.

27th May 2007, 08:04	#22 -
Nick A S2 licensed Racername: [XOR] ((Onion)) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 350	My Gear / Rev indicator It's finished! I've uploaded a video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGxGe0XiTuQ I used OutgaugeGateway to forward the Outgauge data to both MomoLEDs and my adapted version of Kada's GI program. Thanks again Kada, I really enjoyed making this! Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Nick A; 27th May 2007 at 08:22.

27th May 2007, 14:00	#23 -
Kada_CZ S2 licensed Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Brno Posts: 134	Stylish :-), good work . __________________ 7-segment shifter indicator, OutGauge server for Richard Burns Rally.

27th May 2007, 20:31	#24 -
dadge S2 licensed Racername: ATC Dadge Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Derry Posts: 2,849	i am getting my friend to build one for me, but i would also like the rev lights, i have sent Nick A a pm but going by his post count, i doubt he will see the pm :S. all i need is the wiring diagram __________________ Please be patient, flaming will start soon DEMO: Limited versions of games made available for free to impress gamers and encourage them to buy.

27th May 2007, 23:53	#25 -
Kada_CZ S2 licensed Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Brno Posts: 134	I think that Nick_A has rev-diodes on LPT pins 9, 1, 14, 16, 17. The data pins 2-8 are used for gear display. The rest of the trick is in his adapted version of GI software. __________________ 7-segment shifter indicator, OutGauge server for Richard Burns Rally. Last edited by Kada_CZ; 27th May 2007 at 23:58.

28th May 2007, 01:27	#26 -
dadge S2 licensed Racername: ATC Dadge Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Derry Posts: 2,849	the reason i am getting my friend to make it is because that stuff may as well be dutch cuz i still won't get it (i have no clue what you just said lol) but i have email my but the links from here and rsc, so hopefully he will be able to get something sorted __________________ Please be patient, flaming will start soon DEMO: Limited versions of games made available for free to impress gamers and encourage them to buy.

29th May 2007, 17:08	#27 -
Mark_Raven S2 licensed Racername: PLZ_MarkRaven Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Terno d'Isola, Ber Posts: 54	Hi all... first of all, sorry for my bad english...i'm italian... I just want to know: what do i need for build this gear indicator?!? - a 7-segment display - a LPT - some wire - some led - Resistors? (how many ohm) - what else? Sorry for this stupid question, but i'm not good with electronic things __________________ Naturalmente...le sculacciamo tutte!!! http://www.myspace.com/geminiroserock

29th May 2007, 17:11	#28 -
Nick A S2 licensed Racername: [XOR] ((Onion)) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 350	That's OK. I'm working on a parts list and circuit diagram for the rev meter version at the moment but you can find all the info you need through Kada's site and links from there. Will post it as soon as it's done.

29th May 2007, 17:22	#29 -
Mark_Raven S2 licensed Racername: PLZ_MarkRaven Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Terno d'Isola, Ber Posts: 54	Thank you so much... waiting for the part list and diagram circuits.. __________________ Naturalmente...le sculacciamo tutte!!! http://www.myspace.com/geminiroserock

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode