Consult cable

[madmezza]

Does anyone know where to get hold a cable to connect a PC to the Consult connector in my K11? Also, what information can I get out of it?

Cheers

[Napster]

"Micra pete" was telling me this so hope this helps, but ive asked for more info :-)

he said:
"i just stream it over consult

cables are available over the net, i can recommend the plms development cables as i know the guys that make them

mention pete rushton if you order"???

[madmezza]

I've been having a look on the net and I found the PLMS stuff - it's good 'cause they give the protocol and schematics for their adapter.

Might nip down to Maplins this afternoon and get the parts so I can build one myself...

[Moschops]

Hey now that'd be a nice project, just need the software then. Let us know how you get on if you do it.

*strokes soldering iron* :D

[Ed]

I have had all the stuff to make these for a while now, I've not got round to it. But if anyone is interested let me know.

[Fordy]

i know of 2 good ones to use which are

grey nissan connector (pre facelift k11s and a few facelift)

http://www.blazt.biz/

obd 2 (k12)

http://www.scantool.net/

edit: i was having a dumb moment, thanks ed for pointing that out

[Ed]

Nissan consuld isnt OBD1 its a nissan only thing. OBD2 is used by lots and lots of differnet cars.

[madmezza]

Cheers for the link for the connector - I was going to build a new cable onto the old one with a more standard connector (d-type or something).

...

Actually, I've just had a look and they're $18 plus postage - I think I still will add a new cable on!!!

The problem with all these companies is that they charge at least £60 for the cable. The parts cost less than £5!

I want a PDA version to give me at least RPM and fuel level so I can dynamically analyse fuel consumption at different speeds etc to increase efficiency. But that's just a start....!

(I'm a professional software engineer with a degree in Electronic Engineering so this is not a complex project for me).

I'll let you know how successful I am, and if it works out I'll probably make a PCB and do build for people if they want it...

Rich

[micra_pete]

as long as you dont charge people for it :)

[Ed]

He can if he wants! I would, I simply could not afford to do it for free!

[micra_pete]

no he cant, not if he uses the plms schematic, it must be non-profit only, i get on well with Pete of plms.

However in regard to consult, i would say im pretty good, and i can help you in regard to software and commands, and what does what

[Ed]

Its quite simple to design your own consult interface. The max 232 level shifter IC is used in pretty much every RS232 interface. The 4060 is simply a clock ripple counter (not the greatest clock design due to propagation delays), again this can be done many ways etc. Also non profit does not mean sell for free!

[micra_pete]

no true ed, im just saying i dont want people ripping plms off :)

[Ed]

No thats a fair point pete. :)

[madmezza]

My thoughts about it were something like this:

(a) the circuits available on the web have restriction such that you can't make money out of the end product. Having said that, I think there are a couple of flaws with the circuits so I was going to design something else anyway...

(b) I can't do it completely for free - I'd obviously charge for parts, postage and a bit of time to put them together. However, I'm not intending to do loads of support for this (I just haven't got the time) so I couldn't charge a lot.

I haven't done anything yet - I don't even know if I will as I'm pretty busy at the moment - but if I do then I expect to be able to supply a box with some wires out of one end (which you figure out how to connect to the Consult connector) and a 9-pin D type out of the other end so you can connect it to a PC for something like £30.

I think that compares pretty favourably to £265 for the ConZult! (ok, so that comes with software, but I'll write something that goes with this - I'll do it as freeware again so I don't have to support it particularly well....)

Give me a week or so and I'll let you know how (if) I get on with it... :grinning:

Rich

[madmezza]

Right, knocked up a quick and very simple design (using MAX232A, EXO-3 as clock generator and one transistor to level shift for tx to the car).

And it works! I've tested with the Conzult free software and things work OK, but my intention with this was to write some software for an old WinCE2.11 palmtop that I've got and have it permenantly installed in the car.

I shall start writing some code tonight - when I've got something simple up and running I'll stick it on the web somewhere. There'll be no official support for any of this, so I won't be charging for any of it. It's primarily for me - but if it's useful to anyone else then you're welcome to it (that EXCLUDES source code, at least for now!)

[micra_pete]

excellent work :)

[rlees85]

would you be intrested in selling these cables to people who have no electronical knowledge?

[Moschops]

Good stuff! Do you have a list of the components and a layout of the board, I fancy having a go building one myself. Cheers.

[Moschops]

Just to add, I wouldn't start knocking them out cheap or anything, I just want to have a go at building one for myself :)