My cool electronic dash board project

btolle · Oct 29, 2004

( I've got a BX1500 (just a light instead of a gas gauge)..

I use small PLC's at work, so I thought this would be a cool pet project. The display on this unit can be programmed to give all sorts of information based on inputs.
My wish list is:
-Tachometer
-Speedometer
-RPM based hour meter
-Voltmeter
-fuel gauge with low fuel alarm

Anybody want to add to my list?)

I would leave out the speedometer but would like to have the time since last oil change hour meter based on the RPM based hour meter. I think that would be more useful than the speedometer.

Of course, if you have a FEL you could mount a strain gage on the loader arms and have a weight readout of how much weight is in the bucket /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bill Tolle

gsganzer · Oct 29, 2004

Shy_guy,
I use PLC's at work as well. The only problem with the A/B GFX is that the I/O and HMI/processor aren't NEMA 4 rated. I'd think you'd want NEMA 4 or 4X for this application. Even though you could hide a lot of the components behind the dash, it only takes one drop of water to kill it.

BRIGUY · Oct 29, 2004

To small for a title V permit but you never know about the future.

NOx ppm
NOx lbh
CO ppm
CO lbh
O2 %
SO2 ppm

Henro · Oct 29, 2004

I've got a BX1500 (just a light instead of a gas gauge).. 

I used to apply a lot of PLCs to industrial processes when I was working too...

My take on it...KISS rules... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

My advice is to just take the wire off the low fuel level lamp... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Check fuel and fluid levels regularly and have fun working the tractor...that's my approach anyway... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

ronjhall · Oct 29, 2004

I missed one.
Digital Tilt-meter with flashing lights for 15 /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif and 20 /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif degrees.

texbaylea · Oct 29, 2004

I understand about PLC's but have never worked with them. I have an L3130 and wish I had a clock. Is there a similar ruggedized unit that would give me a clock function without programming?

Vernon

n3qik · Oct 29, 2004

As soon you go to a NEMA 4 display, it may be cheaper to just buy another tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif These PLC are great . We use Seimans Logo at work. I use Parallax Basic stamp and SX pic at home. I made a remote start/alarm/unlock for my truck. Took 2-3 months to finish it /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif. Good luck and kept it simple.

Bob_Young · Oct 30, 2004

Yeah, I worked with PLCs too....for 22 years. Modicon, Omron, GE & TI. Now I'm retired and happy to be away from them. I feel more normal with every passing day. My question to you, Shy Guy, is why are you compromising the therapeutic effects of a perfectly good BX1500 with such an ill considered project? Don't you know that BX1500, in its simplicity, may be the only thing sustaining the level of sanity you currently enjoy? Have you no appreciation for its simple, straightforward and sturdy virtues?

All this information you seek; what will you do with it? Will it make that sweet little tractor do any task better? Like management where I worked; they constantly lusted for more and more up to date information. Once they had it, they didn't know what to do with it. The plant closed anyway. Don't fall into the same trap.

Next you'll be identifying goals, making project schedules, setting deadlines and generating Gant charts. Come to your senses man, don't do this terrible thing. All you need to know about the BX1500 you can hear in the sound of the exhaust and feel in the vibration of your bones. Be thankful for the opportunity it gives you to consider the meaning of life with an uncluttered mind.
Bob /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

RonR · Oct 30, 2004

Ok, I'm dumb. What's a PLC?

I'd add to the list of wants:

* Hours until my next stupid user trick.
* Hours until next Babe alert.
* Warning lights when I leave something in the FEL and am about to bury it!
* Hours until my next finger smash/minor cut.
* Hours since I last applied sunscreen.

That's all I can think of.

Ron