An application field of electronics that requires high reliability and fail-safe systems.
-6
votes
0answers
108 views
Coupling a current generator to a very high impedance [closed]
I hacked my renault stock car radio, cause I've lost code. So I decided to enjoy the TDA7560 as a final stage. Actually I made an hack you can see here
It works well, but I have a few doubts. I ...
5
votes
1answer
122 views
Automotive Relays - What is the actual difference?
Or maybe my question should be 'do I really need one?'
I have a circuit where I am driving an SPDT relay with a PIC (and transistor). The relay is switching 12V and ~150 mA (it is switching the ...
-2
votes
2answers
66 views
Diagnosing and programming car/bike ECU's [closed]
I want to learn how to do this. I am interested in a universal programmer (if that exists).
Is there a machine (or laptop program) that i can connect to all cars and bikes and diagnoses problems on ...
2
votes
1answer
95 views
Diode selection for truck wiring light application
I need to know what diode I need for a light set up I am working on.
The main current flow through the diode is going to be 9v going to power a 55watt roughly ??? amp bulb. There will be ocassional ...
1
vote
3answers
111 views
I'm trying to use 3v LEDs in a 12V circuit, in my car
I'm trying to make a circuit that will run 1-3 LED in a parallel, powered by a 12V power source. I used a voltage divider calculator and it said to use a 100ohm and 33ohm resistor. when I wire them in ...
0
votes
0answers
80 views
What is this connector called? (automotive blu-ray unit)
I have an automotive grade blu-ray unit and I'm missing a cable to connecti it to a second screen.
The cable is the blue one I'm showing in the pictures (LVDS) and it is a universal FAKRA type, ...
2
votes
1answer
80 views
Switch from electolytic to ceramic capacitors in car ECU?
I'm looking into replacing the capacitors in the vehicles ECU. I know the ratings and voltages for the three. My question though is which would be better to go with, electrolytic or ceramic. I'm not ...
0
votes
1answer
101 views
Selecting an Arduino for automotive Dashboard [closed]
In an upcoming project I need to design a custom dashboard for a race car (in a student design competition). There would be at least 3-4 sensors that would need interfacing and a graphic LCD to ...
2
votes
0answers
96 views
Processing OBD-II data (J-1850)
I recently built an OBDuino32k with my Arduino Uno. Unfortunately, I built the wrong interface, so I can't use it with my car. I built an interface for ISO instead of ELM.
Is there a way I can log ...
1
vote
1answer
88 views
Controlling Analog RC Car Remote with Arduino
I want to take my RC car remote, which uses a potentiometer to control throttle, and connect it to an arduino in order to control the cars speed. The ardunio fits perfectly in the base of the remote.
...
0
votes
2answers
309 views
How can I use transistors to work as an SPDT relay using the common pin as input and NC/NO as outputs?
PS: If you're impatient, you may skip to THE_POINT below:
Basically, this is for various lights in a car - indicators, park/rear light, brake light. I want to convert the simple output from ...
0
votes
0answers
50 views
Recommend small Coldfire MCU for automotive use [closed]
Sorry to post a (sort of) shopping question, but at least it's not an arduino eh? ;)
Background: I work on hardware which uses a Freescale Coldfire V2 (MCF52259) MCU, I therefore have access to a ...
1
vote
0answers
204 views
high torque and high rpm dc motors
I am making an electric 4x4 car, will it make a difference in overall speed if:
Case1: all 4 motors are high torque and relatively low rpm
Case2: 2 high torque relatively low rpm and 2 high rpm ...
16
votes
4answers
1k views
Why Tesla car use AC motor instead of DC one?
I just watch this mega factory and wonder why they use AC motor (exact time here) which require the power inveter, instead of DC which more direct from they DC battery. Introducing inveter mean more ...
3
votes
3answers
147 views
Is Automobile Power Viable for Electronics Projects?
I have some project ideas that would be targetted for use in a vehicle. I would like to consider the possibility of tapping into the car's 12V battery to power the projects, for example through the ...
1
vote
3answers
314 views
Modifying an automotive 12V power outlet to disable power when car is off?
Recently, on a business trip, I had a rental car. Now, in my car, all of my 12V power outlets are always on. On the rental car, some of them were always on, some of them were only on when the car was ...
1
vote
1answer
75 views
Spec'ing an always-on alarm/tracker for a car battery
What is the specification of a standard car battery (e.g. of a 2008 Jetta)?
Say, I want to connect an always-on alarm or a tracker to the electrical system of the car.
Is it likely to deplete the ...
1
vote
2answers
149 views
Automobile Project (Electrical Parts Requirement)
I'm looking at putting together a circuit board to be used in an automobile. It will only be connected to a 12 V and ground. Everything else will be internal to my board.
I was planning on putting a ...
1
vote
3answers
141 views
Why would this wire be shielded?
I'm trying to work out how I might emulate this assembly to replace the seat weight sensors below. I'd guess the sensors are just strain gauges, so a variable resistance or maybe capacitance. ...
2
votes
4answers
331 views
Picking out correct MOSFET for solenoid PWM control?
I'm attempting to control an automotive solenoid with PWM at 1250hz. At peak, the solenoid draws 3.75 Amps at 14.4 Volts. The specific problem is that any MOSFET that I've tried gets too hot and ...
2
votes
2answers
141 views
What is the proper name or part number of a 12V DC female car adapter with leads?
I've searched hobby sites like SparkFun, Digikey, BGMicro, and Jameco. I'm starting to wonder if I'm calling this item by the wrong name. What I'm looking for, exactly, is a 12V female car adapter ...
2
votes
1answer
178 views
How to measure the car battery charge with good precision
My goal is to replace the analog battery gauge in the dashboard - with a more accurate, digital gauge.
My first idea was to look for a specialized IC. I'm familiar with battery gauges for LiPo ...
0
votes
3answers
802 views
Charging a car battery through cigarette lighter
I have an extra car battery that I'd like to charge on a long upcoming drive. I have a spare cigarette lighter plug with ~16 AWG wire. If I use that to connect the battery to the cigarette lighter ...
3
votes
3answers
296 views
Choosing a transistor and resistor for PIC input pin protection from Car Power
Further to my previous question,
Using a PIC to perform switch on and timed shutdowns in automotive environment
I've been pointed at zener diodes and voltage dividers, but I'm now confused by the ...
1
vote
2answers
167 views
Using a PIC to perform switch on and timed shutdowns in automotive environment
I would like to build a circuit to perform a timed shutdown, based on logic inputs from headlamp wires and ignition wires.
I have decided on PIC10F200 (datasheet) to perform the logic.
I also have ...
1
vote
1answer
72 views
Help with grounding a generator on a running vehicle
Ok, this may be basic, but I can't seem to find a solid answer. If I have an AC generator in use on-board a running vehicle (that is being driven), is a GFCI enough or must some sort of grounding be ...
7
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the polarity of a car cigarette lighter adapter?
There is a center pin, and two outside tabs. Which are positive and negative?
1
vote
4answers
213 views
Why don't gas pumps spark and explode?
What Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protections exist in the gas pumps at gas stations? I believe that here more than ever even one spark is intolerable. How can a it be assured that there is never ...
0
votes
3answers
256 views
20 Amp automotive thermatic fan PWM controller
I have an older car which tends to over heat in the summer, so a 20 Amp electric fan was added in front of the radiator. Currently its driven by a on / off relay.
I want to build an Arduino PWM ...
0
votes
0answers
569 views
What sensors are commonly used for vehicle detection?
I want to make a vehicle detection prototype. I find there are multiple choices of sensors that can be used to detect a vehicle, such as acoustic, ultrasonic, infrared, magnetic inductive sensor.
I ...
6
votes
1answer
344 views
Simulating an automotive load dump with a bank of charged capacitors?
I've been working on a data logging device that will eventually go into my personal vehicle. I've scoured the interwebs and built what, in theory, should be a fairly stout power supply capable to ...
0
votes
3answers
595 views
Why do I get feedback in my speakers in my car?
I have a Galaxy Nexus which I have with my everywhere. One of my favorite uses of this device is to play my music. Unfortunately, I have noticed something bothersome and I was wondering if I could get ...
3
votes
2answers
164 views
Possible to reliably run USB over a non-standard USB cable?
I'm planning on building a device for my car that sits somewhere in the rain tray or behind the dashboard. It will use automotive connectors so that things are sealed, easily connected and ...
4
votes
1answer
160 views
Why not run high power truck-mounted electronics from the truck's engine?
At Burning Man, I see a lot of "art cars" based on internal combustion engine platforms using generators separate to the original vehicle's engine to power their LED displays and sound systems.
Why ...
1
vote
0answers
87 views
Does anybody recognize the 4way automotive connector? [closed]
The picture is as this I just know it's used on vehicle ignition.
thanks...
0
votes
0answers
65 views
Why are the different connectors marked the same Delphi PN, 12020829? [closed]
We use Delphi connector 12020829 for quite a long time. Last month, we swithed to new supplier on this PN. We met trouble while we got the shipment from new supplier. The part from them is slightly ...
1
vote
3answers
647 views
How does and iPhone DC car adapter work?
I know that the car cigarette adapter provides 12 V and around 80 A, while USB is 6 V and x mA (I'm assuming it draws a small amount of current). How then does a car USB adapter work to recharge an ...
1
vote
2answers
166 views
Does anybody recognize this (other) automotive connector?
Similar to my other question, I have another connector I can't identify. Does anybody recognize the series? I am wanting to build my own, so I need to know what series it is and what pins it ...
2
votes
2answers
246 views
Would a digital compass work reliably when installed in a car?
I'm working on a project that needs dead reckoning sensors to combine to GPS readings, and is to be installed under the dashboard of a car. Currently I have an accelerometer and a gyroscope for that.
...
5
votes
3answers
528 views
Car security solution - designing the right motion detector
My car gets broken into quite frequently. The car is right outside of our bedroom window. The break ins happen at night, and we never hear them! They must be very sneaky.
I would like to design (or ...
5
votes
4answers
233 views
Does anybody recognize this automotive connector?
I'm trying to repair a wiring harness, and I'd rather pin and install a connector than splice into a junkyard pigtail. Does anyone recognize this and know where to find them? There's some serious ...
3
votes
2answers
275 views
Turning on and off car ignition - created two pulses?
I'm building a car DVR using a GoPro. The GoPro can be turned on by shorting out two pins on the gopro bus and then turned off by shorting out the same two pins.
So when the car's ignition is turned ...
3
votes
2answers
216 views
Solar MPPT charger causing regular voltage spikes
I have a van which has two 12V solar panels on the roof. The charger is connected to the batteries and seems to constantly be outputting about 13v. I've had it installed for a couple of days and ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
What's the purpose of the diodes in this circuit?
I'm trying to get my head around the headlight wiring in my car, and I'm curious what purpose the two diodes in this diagram serve. Hoping one of the clever people on here can explain it for me:
Is ...
2
votes
6answers
410 views
Can I safely use a HDD in a car?
A few months ago I bought some new speakers and an amp for my Jeep. I made a little face plate with an ALPS potentiometer to control the volume and it has an iPod dock (no head unit, just the pot).
...
3
votes
3answers
848 views
sending signal to open car with microcontroller
I am interested in a way of how to open the caar's doors with a microcontroller device's extension hardware (I have an Arduino Uno Rev 3).
I know that the key can do it as well but I want to program ...
2
votes
1answer
367 views
ARM or AVR for car system
I just wanted to ask, which platform is the best suitable for a small commercial car system. It will comunicate with our server via 3G/EDGE (upload and download database with points of interest). It ...
0
votes
0answers
2k views
How many devices can you plug into your car's cigarette lighter plug? [closed]
I was thinking about getting a dual USB adapter for my car's cigarette lighter plug. This would be used to charge my Ipod and phones. There is available, however, an adapter which splits the outlet ...
1
vote
2answers
201 views
How does Magic Sky Control work in the new mercedes-benz?
I came across this new technology implemented by Mercedes Benz that allowed windows to be tinted just at the pressing of a button. I figured out that some voltage applied at the actual window would ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Arduino in car: capacitor for extra 3 sec of power
I want to install an Arduino Uno in a car, powered by a consumer 12V->5V car voltage regulator plugged into the lighter socket. The socket is switched, i.e, there's no power when the motor's off. When ...
