Jim, It looks cool keep working on it never give up. Andre -----Original Message----- Pic dude, In my opinion, your project is an absolutely excellent attempt and execution of a project. Especially the first one. Congratulations are in order. Regards, Jim > [ Insert drum roll here ... ] > > I'm pretty psyched. After a few weeks of lots of datasheet > reading, experiments and forum questions, my first PIC project > works like a charm. Thanks for all the help PIClist'ers ! > > I used one of the MPX pressure sensors and a PIC16F872 to create > a vacuum/boost gauge for my car. Vacuum is displayed with a > bargraph going downwards from the top. Boost goes from the > bottom upwards. I've also added a peak-hold feature that shows > the highest boost by keeping that segment lit. I later added a > dimmer which dims all but the peak-hold segment. For dimming > I created my own PWM-like system -- show the dim segments > only every so many loop iterations. Bright segments always. The > dimmer and peak-hold can be switched on/off with a couple DIP >switches. Also, a few more DIP switches allow setting of display > range and a calibrate mode -- switch to 000, turn ignition key on, and > it will sample the current barometric pressure and use as the > zero-reference. That is stored in EPROM. > > Circuit -- I decided to build a no-holes board (okay, 3 holes plus a > couple for mounting the sensor/regulator) for this, and put the main > circuit on one side and the power supply on the other. > > Some pics ... > http://www.avn-tech.com/VBM/images/VBM_board_1.jpg > http://www.avn-tech.com/VBM/images/VBM_board_2.jpg > http://www.avn-tech.com/VBM/images/VBM_board_3.jpg > http://www.avn-tech.com/VBM/images/VBM_display.gif > http://www.avn-tech.com/VBM/images/VBM_installed_1.jpg > http://www.avn-tech.com/VBM/images/VBM_on_1.jpg > > > So I posted a note about this device on an auto forum and have been > flooded with emails from people who want one. So I am seriously > thinking of making/selling this it. If I don't, I'll write up the > project in detail and post. > > The next thing I have planned is to re-code and add in an absolute mode > (vertical bargraph from 0psi upwards), and see if I can trust that the > time between key-OFF thru key-ON to key-START is enough > to sample the ambient pressure and set the reference then. And I > have to cut the dash panel, etc to complete the installation. > > Then comes project #2 -- a boost controlled switch for the secondary > (very noisy) fuel pump, so it only comes on when (or just before) > needed. > > Cheers, > -Neil. > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: > [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics