LCD readout of Alltrax controller

[pvancorenland]

I ordered a DCX500 controller for my 2002 EZ-GO PDS and I'm interested in building a system that can read out the Alltrax parameters like voltage, current, temperature, .... while I am driving.
I don't have the controller yet, but I wanted to get started, so with a bit of help from Google I reverse engineered the Protocol that the Alltrax software uses and I have a micro emulating the Alltrax controller.
I am now building another system that extracts the parameters and shows them on an LCD. This is working fine for the typical stuff that the controllerPro SW will show you, but since I will placing this system in my cart already, I am looking for more stuff to display.

Here are a few things that I would like to look at as well:

-) Speed: The Alltrax does not use the speed sensor from the motor, so I'll haveto find a way to read the speed
-) Individual battery voltages (I have a different post about that)

Does anyone have any other ideas?

I am using an Arduino microcontroller and (for now) a4x20 LCD which brings the total cost to less than $50 or so.

[scottyb]

I would like to see from a controller monitor would be amperage flow and operating temperature.

[Hotcat]

I have been thinking about this lately too. I plan on getting 6 LCD voltmeters to monitor individual battery voltage(I already have one to read full pack voltage and one to read my acc. 12v batt voltage). I would like to get 3 LCD amp meters with shunts, to monitor battery pack amp output, Controller amp output, and motor amps (I don't know if this is possible or good to have all these shunts inline with my 36V circuit).

You can get the Alltrax ex-ray speedometer to monitor speed, average speed, max speed, distance, odometer, and motor/controller temp. You can also program it to have warning indicators for motor/controller over temperature.

[pvancorenland]

The SW I cooked together last night already lets me read out battery voltage, motor current, temperature,... I am planning on adding the individual voltages on the same screen, I just need a clean way to read them out.

I have looked at the ex-ray, but it's more fun to build this thing yourself, especially if it's a lot cheaper...

How does the ex-ray get it's speed information? The Alltrax does not have the speed sensor connected.

[pvancorenland]

I just got it. You have to mount a bunch of extra sensors for the speed, temp,... measurements on the Ex-ray

[kdeerman]

Originally Posted by Hotcat

I have been thinking about this lately too. I plan on getting 6 LCD voltmeters to monitor individual battery voltage(I already have one to read full pack voltage and one to read my acc. 12v batt voltage). I would like to get 3 LCD amp meters with shunts, to monitor battery pack amp output, Controller amp output, and motor amps (I don't know if this is possible or good to have all these shunts inline with my 36V circuit).

You can get the Alltrax ex-ray speedometer to monitor speed, average speed, max speed, distance, odometer, and motor/controller temp. You can also program it to have warning indicators for motor/controller over temperature.

Hotcat,
I have a digital meter installed now that measures pack voltage. I was thinking of adding a seven position switch to measure each battery individually (positions 1-6), and pack voltage (postion 7), however you would not be able to see all individual voltages at the same time.

[Hotcat]

If you have the "know-how" then go for it, I would love to see what you come up with. The ex-ray has two external sensors, one for motor/controller temp and one for wheel speed(uses a magnet and magnetic pick-up).

I made up a sketch of the display I'm thinking of, but cant resize it enough to upload.

I could mount my display with a clip to the roof support, and remove it from the cart when not needed.

It would be cool to be able to monitor motor RPM also.

[Hotcat]

Originally Posted by kdeerman

Hotcat,
I have a digital meter installed now that measures pack voltage. I was thinking of adding a seven position switch to measure each battery individually (positions 1-6), and pack voltage (postion 7), however you would not be able to see all individual voltages at the same time.

That sounds like a great idea too, but I would like to have real-time voltage of all batteries at once.

[Hotcat]

These are the meters I currently have installed.



The LCD on the left reads my 12V accessory battery.