Keeping trip record for fun & early problem detection

Thanks! Originally I was going to get one of the ASUS tablet PCs that runs less than $500. Eventually I decided to get this Fujitsu at about 3X $$$ but with a larger, higher res, brighter "outdoor" screen among other things - better CPU, more memory, HDMI, DVD drive, ... etc. And of course there are countless hours spent learning to do the programming...

The temp readings may be confusing because I use "NASA units" - the ambient and engine coolant temps are in F but the inverter, MG, battery, and cat temps are in C. I only started collecting inverter temp data since a few weeks ago. Ambient was between -8 and 3 C and max inverter temp recorded was 33C (ranging 20s to 30s). I only have the chance to measure my commute route which is all local roads ~ 18 miles one way. Hope this helps.

 

Yes with some small gaps left open in both upper and lower grill.

 

Well I hesitate to go that far - it's in the middle of the winter, I do leave some gaps in the blocking, and my drive is only local roads with PSL<=40MPH so plenty of ICE off time. Last winter when I had full grill block the max ICE coolant temp shot up to 206F a few times (route was half highway half local back then). Later in spring it went up to 209F twice even with some small gaps opened up. So in general I would say don't grill block too aggressively unless temps are monitored carefully. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks! Once I got it finished (it's still evolving) I will share for sure. There are a number of tablet/slate PCs supposed to be coming out this year that may be less expensive options than the Fujitsu I am using. The OBD-USB adapter I use is
ScanTool.net LLC - OBDLink Scan Tool/OBD Interface - ScanTool.net
It is not the lowest priced product but they have very good tech support. Also I would rather buy from a US based company that design their own product with technical expertise, as opposed to the so called "Chinese clones".

 

Is your device this one:
ScanTool.net LLC - ElmScan 5 Compact -- ELM327 based scan tool - ScanTool.net
?
If so then it is made by the same company so it may work fine. Being able to work with Ken's program is a good sign too.

 

Technically true, but they are compatible. Specifically
ScanTool.net LLC - OBDLink Scan Tool/OBD Interface - ScanTool.net
accepts most relevant ELM commands. The company started out using the ELM chip and later developed their own chips. That's part of the reason why I bought their product - I want to support US companies that still do their own R&D.

 

Toying with HUD.

Camera roughly at eye level (no interference with field of view for normal driving):




Close ups for more detail (camera in front of half silvered mirror):

 

Thanks! I did come across the Mac Prius site at some point. I am thinking doing a carPC install also. It's getting tedious to get the tablet in and out every drive.

 

The mirror is semi-transparent and only cover a few feet in front of the car. Although I agree often times it's fruitless to reason with the cop. I have since moved the speedometer, tachometer, and engine coolant T further up so they are near the top edge of the mirror and easy to glance with my peripheral vision.