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dash7 update
wheelsinsteadofhooves - 14/12/04 at 09:04 PM

for all those following the dash7 project on this site, ive been mailing with tor, the (very clever) designer of this little nugget, who wrote:

"There's 3 people building dash7's as we speak and so they have for some time now. There's a steady interest in dash7 and so far I've told them the same - please wait until someone else has completed the build so that any hardware bugs are ironed out. It would really be a shame if a number of people started building and we found some errors, but on the other hand I don't want to be a party pooper if someone would like to start despite my warnings"

basically im going to use the time untill everthing is ready to fianlise and refine english partys list, which ill post here )or a link to site if it goes up there) when ready. tor will upload the firmware to his site when hes happy with it, so not much point chomping at the bit too much till then.

all the best

JonBowden - 14/12/04 at 10:20 PM

Sorry to be so thick - but what is a Dash7 ?

wheelsinsteadofhooves - 14/12/04 at 10:28 PM

sorry - for those that dont know check the "digital dash" thread in this section. about the 4th or 5th post is a link to "dash7" - basically a home made digial dash system not unlike a stack unit but without a tacho - but output to one (all becomes clear on link). designed by jolly clever norwegian chap and his soldering iron when too cold to drive his caterham.
at the moment the parts lsit is from some swedish supplier but working on cross refing list with maplins and making kits available. more soon.
cheers

Deckman001 - 14/12/04 at 11:59 PM

You have u2u

Northy - 15/12/04 at 07:58 AM

Is the firmware going to be open source?

wheelsinsteadofhooves - 15/12/04 at 09:16 AM

i believe so

ZEN - 15/12/04 at 08:30 PM

As i understand the firmware is shareware.

Northy - 16/12/04 at 06:12 PM

Yes but is that just the hex file (the file that you actually program the chip with), or the actual source code so you can customise the thing to do exactly what you want.

Deckman001 - 16/12/04 at 07:55 PM

If the writer has any sense, he will write protect it so it can't be copied or writen over, this can then only be moddied if you have a VERY clean lab to open the chip

Jason

ceebmoj - 17/12/04 at 08:08 AM

when I was speaking to him a bit back he said that he was going to make the firmwhere sharwhere and he did not seam keen on distrabuting the source. witch I supose if farenuf.

as for the chip as he is using a PIC removing the coppying the firmwhere off and revirs enginering it is not all that complicates if you are so inclined however that are some scrambeling and other tecneaks to make it harder.

ZEN - 19/12/04 at 02:15 PM

This is the reply to my email regarding dash7 firmware:
"25ukp for the shareware fee. After the beta test is finished you can download the firmware from the webpage and burn the chip yourself. Second option is ordering the chip with the firmware from me - the cost is 10ukp which includes shipping worldwide."

Tor Atle

MikeRJ - 22/12/04 at 09:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ceebmoj
as for the chip as he is using a PIC removing the coppying the firmwhere off and revirs enginering it is not all that complicates if you are so inclined however that are some scrambeling and other tecneaks to make it harder.


The early 14bit PIC's such as the 16C84 could have their security fuses compromised by various over-voltage methods, but you risked zapping the PIC in the process. The more modern devices are much harder to break the protection on. Even if you manage it, all you can then do is read out the machine code. MPLAB will dissasemble this, but you still have to work through every line and give variables and labels meaningfull names to work out what the hell the firmware is doing. All in all, it's a total ball ache, and it's nearly always easier to write your own code from scratch to perform the same functions.

madman280 - 19/1/05 at 02:59 AM

Anything new to report? Been following this with great interest. Would like the creators contact details and any information anyone may be able to provide. I'm in Canada. Any advise on parts suppliers?

CJ Shaw

wheelsinsteadofhooves - 21/1/05 at 05:13 PM

hey, been crazy busy at work, so slow going on dash7. parts list 2/3 complete, will be posted asap - hopefully next week as it looks like some breathing room on its way.
as for contact details, its all on the website - check "digital dash" thread in electrics for link as dont have to hand right now.
till soon,
z

Deckman001 - 21/1/05 at 10:13 PM

Zane, you have U2U

Jason

phongshader - 7/12/05 at 01:02 AM

How has this project progressed? What are the opinions out there? I just found the site and ordered up the parts to make one up but can't find a link for the software/firmware to run it.

paulf - 7/12/05 at 08:07 PM

I wanted to build one of these, but also couldnt find the software. I searched the various sevens forums and found someone on blatchat that had been building one but had not had it successfuly working.
I have also tried emailing the designer but not had any success in contacting him, The design looks easy to use but without the software it is worthless as a project , unless someone can come up with working software.
Paul.

quote:
Originally posted by phongshader
How has this project progressed? What are the opinions out there? I just found the site and ordered up the parts to make one up but can't find a link for the software/firmware to run it.

phongshader - 20/12/05 at 10:00 PM

I've gotten a hold of Tor and he's been very helpful with the assembly of my box of bits. He has the software and firmware for the dash. I'm still waiting on some components to finish it up. Now all I need is a car to install it in!

paulf - 21/12/05 at 09:42 PM

I would be interested to hear how you get along with the finished unit.I was very keen to build one, but got put off by the lack of information and outdated website.It is a good concept and very simple to build and the the options offered compare well to commercial units .
Paul