Prius CAN Monitor and data logger for Windows PC

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ May 10 2007, 09:26 PM) [snapback]439600[/snapback]</div>

I do, and I am. Thanks again for that.

I need to get my hands on the right cables (I want to hear what others have purchased before deciding) so I can do some real testing.

 

Hi Ken,

I've modified your PCM program to work with the ELM 327 chip, which is used by several (relatively inexpensive) OBDII readers (ie. http://www.obd2allinone.com). I'm personally using the USB interface version for $120. The nice thing about using these OBDII scanners is that you can also use them on other cars and they are compatible with many free programs (and a few commercial apps too).

My modified PCM program doesn't work "perfect", but it does work suprisingly well IMHO.

The main problem with the ELM 327 is that it's CAN support is limited. Specifically, it has a slower output speed (38400 baud is the max) and the CAN filter & mask support is not as fancy as the the CAN232 chip.

I could not figure out how to set the filter & mask like you can with the CAN 232 chip, and even if I could figure this out the internal buffer in the ELM 327 will overflow because some messages have high frame rates. This presents a double challenge!

The solution is to set a very specific filter (for a specific PID or a range of "slow" PIDs), collect some data, then change the filter, collect more data, etc. If you do this fast enough then you can get the ELM 327 to display CAN data from different PIDs at "close to real-time" performance at 38400 baud. (A few messages have frame rates that are just too fast for the ELM327, but none of the ones that I care about.)

Anyway, I've tweaked the delays and filters, etc. to the point where I can read most of the Prius data that I want fast enough to make me happy. [I'm not sure if the ELM 237 will "wear out" by changing filters every 1/10 a second ;-), but it seems to work pretty well so far!]

If you want I can provide you the modified source (I've also modified the GUI to fit on 640x480 screen and has a few other changes).

Cheers,
Tim
PS. Attached a couple pics of it running on the prius MFD....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(timster @ May 18 2007, 12:45 PM) [snapback]445123[/snapback]</div>

Wow, Tim! This looks great. I have a similar tool from www.tekmatetools.com but wasn't able to run Ken's program either. I would like to have the source if possible.

Tosh

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(timster @ May 18 2007, 03:45 PM) [snapback]445123[/snapback]</div>

Certainly this is a breakthrough and a nice incentive to jung and bright minds to develop new alternatives.

When the code is a Little more polished, please make it available to other enthusiasts.

Congrats Tim

 

Thanks for the compliments. It was a fun challenge getting it working...

To display my carputer on the MFC I'm using the "ultimate lockpick" from a somewhat-notorious company that provides prius add-on products. But I'm not sure that I would recommend this approach. Here's why:

<blockquote>On my orig 2004 with an orig MFD, I sometimes get an annoying "Audio Off" warning which prevents the DVD option (the ultimate lockpick creates a "fake" DVD player to enable video & audio input) from working, forcing a restart of the car (or MFD). I've tried 2 different ultimate lockpics and still get same intermediate problem. According to the company in question, it's not a bug with the ultimate lockpick. Rather, according to them, the orig 2004 Prius MFD is "too slow" and to fix it I need to replace my (out of warranty) MFD. I don't have a spare $1000 (or whatever the MFD costs) so that's not very likely to happen. So I'm putting up with this annoyance for now. At 640x480 resolution, the quality is "OK", but not nearly as crisp as a laptop display (or when the prius uses the MFD). Finally, I have to hit button on the steering wheel every time I start the car to see the carputer which is also annoying.</blockquote>
I also saw that a couple people are interested in (or have) the TekMate scanner. Their software looks nice, but I'm not sure how similar their hardware is to the ELM327-based products.

I haven't contacted them directly, but their web site seems like it hasn't been updated in a couple years? Anyway, their FAQ page(http://www.tekmatetools.com/faqs.html) says this:

<blockquote>Is the CAN unit ELM-based?

No, ELM has no CAN solution. This is our own design.</blockquote>
So I suspect that this product it isn't compatible with my modified PCM... :-(

-Tim

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(joedornan @ Mar 13 2007, 10:27 AM) [snapback]404863[/snapback]</div>

I use the vital enginering bluetooth for all my cars, including the 06 prius. I use it with the software it comes with, but I have had no problem with it. Has anyone used it with this new software?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(timster @ May 21 2007, 07:51 PM) [snapback]447019[/snapback]</div>

first off, a huge congrats on your work. This is a great direction in which to take the software.

to solve the bad video quality of the lockpick, some have attempted to use the GVIF input on the new MFDs... but so far people have only had limited success.
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=2...=gvif&st=40
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=2...=gvif&st=60

 

Thanks for the compliments... I have been running this modified version now for a couple months and haven't fried my ELM327-based ODBII scanner. So I guess it's OK to quickly change the CAN filter over and over and over....

I've still been having random (but thankfully infrequent) problems where my MFD won't detect the U Lockpick (the MFD says "audio off" when it boots up). But doing a "warm reboot" (entering the MFD diagnostic screen and then exiting again) usually fixes the problem so it's not a real big deal...

Thanks for the links to the GVIF threads; that was new info to me and it looks interesting. I may investigate that option more later....

Apparently Ken still hasn't recieved an "OK" from the original developer to post the source code online. But if it is OK with Ken, I would be glad to provide my version to whoever wants it. Or maybe I can post the .exe (binary) here?

PS. I am also using my carputer as my MP3 jukebox and it is SO NICE to have the music volume automatically go up and down with the car speed (dynamic volume control)! (IMO this could be a very inexpensive, but very nice feature that Toyota should add to all their cars.)

-Tim

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(joedornan @ Jun 21 2007, 11:26 PM) [snapback]466198[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(timster @ Jul 16 2007, 02:56 PM) [snapback]479836[/snapback]</div>

Tim,
I think by now you have made a bunch of improvement and it should be very stable

I just bought an ELM327 based tool at a very good price (look for item 160153611174 on Ebay. The seller seems to be generous on your "best offer", too). I am still waiting for the delivery but I would like to try your software when I receive it. I don't know if Ken has a go-head for distribution from the original author, though.

Thanks,
Tosh

 

BUMP

this is what i looked for
a windows program just for the prius and looking nice to

 

BUMP again

i am going to buy the elmscan 5 USB
hoping this software wil work with that obd2-rs232(usb) adpater to.

 

Is any of this software available anywhere?

 

If you purchase the Agilent 6000 series MSO with the optional CANBus interface, the software is included. We use them at work as we work with a variety of industrial CANBus devices.

I should warn you the Agilent solution is priced far beyond the reach of the hobbyist, +$38,000

 

If you purchase
and
38.000

that combination is not working

 

the reseller told me here that it wil not work with obd2
i told him that people are already using it and he checked with the dealer

i dit nog wanted to wait and when on the internet to find a adapter that stated obd2 compatible and i found this one

i got the rs232 version to be correct
i wanted a more solid connection to my laptop or pc.

 

you tell me IF YOU PURCHASE ( me bot being a millionaire )
and then at the end you say its 38.000 dollar

thx and if its not working i can always sell it second hand an still buy the can232 or canusb

i hope it works there is a lot of free software for this elmscan already and i hope i can learn to make it work when i try to write a program of me own

most important is that can readout the soc and voltage so have some information before i make some next steps in my DIY plugin prius