Dan,
Systems much like you've described (incor****ate engine functions, gps,
radar, etc) have recently become available for boats. Google "Seatalk".
One example of a commercially available unti is from Raymarine
(C-series systems), who have introduced an integrated navigation system
that is seatalk compatible, thus allowing all to be on one monitor.
On Sat, 18 Aug 2007 00:53:38 +0000, Dan Hyslop wrote:
> Soon I'll be bringing my half-completed Vanguard hull to my new home
> so that I can complete it after two years lying dormant. Given this
> momentous occasion, I've started to think about my next craft (much to
> my wife's disappointment).
>
> I've long thought it would be interesting to use an LCD display in a
> hovercraft as a multifunction display, similar to those found in
> modern aircraft. An in/out board could receive analog voltage signals
> from the engine's factory senders for oil pressure, coolant
> temperature, etc., converting them to digital signals read by an
> onboard PC and displayed in a neat-o graphical form on the panel.
> "Soft buttons" around the LCD bezel could select different functions
> to monitor, etc. You could also rig up EGT and CHT senders. You
> could monitor the electrical system with current and voltage sensors.
>
> This idea was renewed when I came across www.phidgets.com. This is a
> modular USB interface kit with a number of digital and analog input
> and output options. Thinking about this, you could take it much
> further than simply monitoring engine functions in an MFD and have a
> Primary Flight Display with a rotating compass ring around the craft
> showing heading (using a digital compass sender from Dinsmore, etc.),
> crab angle and thus true course (using a vane on top of the craft
> mounted to a rotation sensor). An airspeed indicator would be similar
> to an aircraft's using pressure sensors inside ram-air and static-air
> chambers. If you had a way to input GPS data into the card, you could
> calculate wind velocity as well, or even have a moving map display.
>
> You could take this system a step further and make the craft fly-by-
> wire. I've ridden on one such craft and I know there have been
> discussions about it on this and other groups. Phidgets sells (and
> I'm sure others do too) analog slider and rotation sensors that could
> be used for throttle and rudder inputs (The FBW craft I rode in used a
> video game joystick). Even if you didn't want fly-by-wire, an input
> for the throttle position could give you fuel burn data like modern
> cars: average economy, current fuel flow, time/distance until empty
> (would all need to be calibrated, of course). Further, Phidgets sells
> key fobs and readers. If the computer controlled the throttle and
> starter relay, the hovercraft could start itself automatically if you
> pressed a button when sitting in the driver's seat, much like some new
> cars (I know the Prius and some Lexus have key fobs). Add a
> temperature sensor and you could have different start routines if
> necessary on a carbureted engine. A visual or vibration sensor near
> the prop could be calibrated to detect when the engine starts.
>
> All this sounds great but unfortunately I have no experience with
> stuff like this: I've never programmed anything more complex than a
> graphing calculator. I'm sure the hardware would go together pretty
> easily, but I don't know how I would go about processing the data from
> the USB ****t and making a graphical interface. It will be a few years
> until I'm actually operating a craft large enough (presumably an
> Explorer) to mount any displays, so I have some time to develop the
> skill set I'd need for such a project. I know that this will become a
> hobby in and of itself! How do I get started learning these about
> this? What kind of programming languages should I be looking at? I
> particularly hope that this post catches Ken's attention, I suspect it
> is right up his alley.
>
> Dan
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