Im working on a project to get the sensor data off my 6.9IDI Ambulance into a Android app im developing. The idea is a phone on the dashboard with real time engine data. I'm Looking to monitor all the sensors on the cluster as well as voltage amperage and cabin temperature. I think a volt meter in the line for the fuel sending units is all i need for that. I don't have an idea yet about the other sensors on the cluster though. I guess any suggestions on how to tackle the other sensors? Which ones might be easier and which ones harder? Here's the ride and the app.

 

For the sake of discussing a topic I find interesting, not an insurmountable task, but would not think an easy one, and I think starting with an app is putting the cart before the horse. I think the larger question is what hardware interface do you plan to use to collect the engine sensor data and report it to the app? These are 100% analog and as-built have no centralized means for data monitoring. Since there's no engine management system to tie into, you're literally having to build one from scratch just to have something to report into your app. I suppose you could do it with a Raspberry-pi with a Bluetooth interface, but I think the board would need discrete inputs for each sensor you intended to tie in, and then the appropriate programming for the CPU to understand the data it's being fed. Would need to set up inputs mostly for analog scale (0-65535) to report like a gauge with maybe a couple digital (1 or zero - on/off) inputs if wanting to report like an idiot light. That's a vast oversimplification on the device, but I've done similar things in a previous career writing code for Crestron automation systems for residential applications. There has to be a means to get data from point A/B/C/D/etc. (sensors) collected through device X (processor) and sent to monitoring device Y (Android app).

Am interested in seeing how you make it work out of sheer curiosity.

 

I am planning on using a arduino uno wifi for sensor data collection. The data will then get uploaded to a openwrt device that is running a webserver. The app will just pull data from that same webserver. The reason the app is so far along is I am making it specifically for some new equipment I will be installing. Getting engine data is just more icing on the cake. I guess what im really looking for/trying to ask is if any sensors were gonna be nightmares or ones that might be easier. Im not gettting them all up day one. But id love it if I could get at least one or two working.

 

how will you read the data from the truck? these engines are 100% mechanical. all you need to run them is 12 volts to the fuel shut off switch in the injector pump.

 

For each of the gauges in your app you'd need a sender. I suppose you could write a program so the app could read the OE sensors, but they are notoriously inaccurate to begin with.

 

Why would you use a 6.9 IDI, of all things, for this project?

There's a lot of products out there to get this kind of data from industrial engines that have all analog/mechanical controls, you might try starting with one of these as a way to aggregate all the info your app will need.

Have to say though, I find it amusing to see "6.9 IDI" and "electronic monitoring of cabin temperature" juxtaposed. Have you considered installing 2,500 pounds of emissions components to complete the modernization of your rig?