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Thread: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

  1. #1
    Bodger

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    Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Hi all,

    I'm working on a rather special dash for my Mk1 as the thread title suggests. For the last few months I have been working on a digital dash for my Mk1 to integrate with the Megasquirt 3 ECU. It's part of a much bigger project to modernise my Mk1.

    I'm posting this today because I have just test fitted it in the dash and it fits, so feel as though the first milestone has been achieved now the gauge fabrication (bodging) is mostly over.

    Just posting only a few photos now as i'll have to resize each one in order to upload, and I want to get back to building something today.

    IMG_8600.jpg
    1080p Full HDMI display.

    IMG_8565.jpg
    In this pic i'm simply trying out the display with my MacBook, it's not going to be what powers this display in the car.

    IMG_9210.jpg
    Fits like a champ.

    I'll post some more details on the build later.

    -Dan
    Mk1 Escort 1.3 XFlow Turbo - http://bytesandbolts.com/tag/mk1-escort/

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    Bodger

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    IMG_9006.jpg
    Trying it through the PS4, just because :P
    Mk1 Escort 1.3 XFlow Turbo - http://bytesandbolts.com/tag/mk1-escort/

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    Bodger

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Any updates on this mate?
    It looks a very interesting project.
    Pete

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    Spanner Monkey Turbosport Subscriber Jimmythedimmy's Avatar

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    interesting Idea this

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    Racer Decade Plus User evans2822's Avatar

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Looks a great idea keep the updates coming

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    Bodger

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    great work what software will u be using pal

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    Bodger

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    1st version will be built ontop of the Raspberry Pi 2. I've put together a custom build of linux which boots up in about ~4 seconds, so won't take an age for the cluster to activate. Just one of the many projects i'm doing on my escort atm, engine rebuild taking priority for now :P
    Mk1 Escort 1.3 XFlow Turbo - http://bytesandbolts.com/tag/mk1-escort/

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    Bodger Mr Day's Avatar

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    I'll be keeping a eye on how this turns out, although it's gonna take me years I was thinking about doing something similar to this as I plan on running a cossy engine and would need extra gauges to check temp/fluid levels etc but I don't actually want extra gauges and only have a 2 dial dash so doing a digital dash was the only answer I could think of.
    Good luck with it and keep us updated.

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    Bodger

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    The nights are getting colder, time for me to spend some more time on the dash. Quick shot of the new digital dash and the old 6 pod dash. Might end up swapping the front fascias so it matches the rest of the interior if I can't get the blue surround upto par.
    IMG_9749.jpg
    Mk1 Escort 1.3 XFlow Turbo - http://bytesandbolts.com/tag/mk1-escort/

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    Bodger

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    In this photo you can see the back of the digital dash. The screen itself is an 8" 1080p touchscreen 'sample' model (P839-9AHT) that I ordered directly from a factory in China through Alibaba.com for ~$200. Ideally I would of used two separate screens for each big dial but I couldn't find anything suitable, bar the Blackberry Passport which has a screen that would fit almost perfectly with good specs (1440*1440 resolution, 453 PPI). However you would need something to interface the screen with whatever electronics you intended to use, and that learning curve is just too steep for me right now (saving that for another day/year). This cheapish screen from China was the best one I could find that would fit without leaving too big of a gap surrounding the dials, and that would also fit within the confides of the cluster gauge/car dash itself, oh and it had to be HD of course.

    So the screen connects to the Pi using HDMI. I choose the Raspberry Pi 2 as I had one lying round, runs full stack Linux, and has powered USB ports meaning I can run power hungry devices like a 4G dongle, GPS receiver, WiFi AP and Bluetooth.

    The primary purpose of the dash will be to replace the analog dials, in addition to displaying numerous extra sensor outputs passed through by the ECU (boost, water injection water levels, electronic boost control; high or low, AFR, etc etc). The RPi2 will have a CanBUS shield added on and I will retro a small CAN network into the escort to connect the RPi2 and Megasquirt 3 ECU together.

    In addition to the screen, which is part of a much larger project I'm working on. Thing's I will hopefully be able add into the mix will include:
    - UPS/SleepyPI - Enables the Pi to run via a UPS and integrates an Arduino compatible micro controller which has loads of GPIO's and very slowly sips at power, it can boot up the Pi to notify me if the alarm goes off triggered by a sensor input etc.
    - GPS tracker if the car is nicked, I will build a server side service to manage/host this.
    - Remote start/kill - Because it's got an IP address, no reason I can't add this feature in incase someone does nick it and I don't want them to get away :P.
    - iOS Apple/Apple watch app - Because I've got an iPhone and Apple watch already and a Mac, wish to have a GoPro style config where you use an app to configure settings/device. Saves me having to install/hide loads of buttons and switches everywhere to change menu settings. Will use either Wifi or Bluetooth LE. (This will come way on down the line).

    I got load more stuff to share but not enough time to write. Off to pick up an engine crane to assist with lowering in a recessed scissor lift which I most likely will be installing in my parents garage this weekend. I'll find some time to properly layout my ideas for the project and explain what I have done already for it later tonight/tomorrow hopefully. I would love to get peoples feedback/criticism on this project. I know some of the hardware I'm using isn't ideal but it will do for a prototype. Custom PCB's can come in v2 haha.

    image1.jpeg
    Mk1 Escort 1.3 XFlow Turbo - http://bytesandbolts.com/tag/mk1-escort/

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    Bodger

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    About time I gave an update to this project thread.

    I've been focusing some more of my time to this recently and so have made steady but swift progress.
    • Done ton's of research on how digital dashboards produced by automotive manufacturers are actually made and what hardware/software they run.
    • Use that research to identify/confirm the parts I have already used/chosen are right for the task - I still think they are for my current level of knowledge at least.
    • Modelled my original dash dials using Autodesk Fusion 360 and Adobe Illustrator in order to create some high resolution/quality images for the dashboard.
    • Built a simple disto of Linux using build root for the Raspberry Pi 2 (Soon to be RPi3 when I get my hands on one) - Boots up in only a few seconds.
    • Got to grips with some of the software stack, compiled example apps and made a few test apps.
    • Managed to get hands on with a Tesla Model S for a few hours and will be test driving one in a couple weeks. This had a massive moral boost on the project as a lot of the problems I had faced with the build they had also tackled. So it was cool to see how a successful technology company approached some of the same problems I had faced on my own. Turns out we are using some of the same software stacks haha..

    The big milestone that I achieved last night!
    • Put together a simple app that pretty much combines all of the above and displays a static image on boot. Still need to do loads of tweaking to reduce the boot time to only a few seconds, but proof of concept works!

    IMG_1158.jpg

    I'm really pleased with the initial result of the prototype. It has great colours which I colour corrected and sampled from the original dials to reproduce as close as possible. The screen also has a wide viewing angle meaning the colours shouldn't distort if you was looking at the dash from the passengers seat. I've still got a million things to work out on this project but really pleased with this milestone.

    IMG_1150.jpg

    IMG_1153.jpg
    Mk1 Escort 1.3 XFlow Turbo - http://bytesandbolts.com/tag/mk1-escort/

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    That looks amazing...great project....keep on moving forward...cheers mark

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    Spanner Monkey

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    That looks real cool and the concept is a fantastic one. My son-in-law works for JLR as a electrical tech engineer, I'll show him this thread and see what he thinks, I know he's worked on dash projects in the past.

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    Spanner Monkey

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    wow looks amazing, colours look very good as well. Will be following this topic

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    Racer Decade Plus User wildo105e's Avatar

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    looks really good, very interesting stuff. Love the main beam bit on the speedo
    Last edited by wildo105e; 27-03-2016 at 14:45.

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    Pole Position Decade Plus User M11rf's Avatar

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Wow... That looks great

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    Bodger

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Quote Originally Posted by waverunner View Post
    That looks real cool and the concept is a fantastic one. My son-in-law works for JLR as a electrical tech engineer, I'll show him this thread and see what he thinks, I know he's worked on dash projects in the past.
    Please do show him the thread, I'd be curious to know what someone who works in the industry makes of project so far. Keep me posted!
    Mk1 Escort 1.3 XFlow Turbo - http://bytesandbolts.com/tag/mk1-escort/

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    Spanner Monkey

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Thats class!!! great work.

    You should change it to the rarer 140mph clock
    [SIGPIC]

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    Bodger

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Quote Originally Posted by mcmahon00 View Post
    Thats class!!! great work.

    You should change it to the rarer 140mph clock
    I probably will have a go a making a few different clock skins, allowing me to swap them for whatever style I want. I just did those two dials as they are the ones that came out my Mk1 and had them at hand for modelling.

    One funny thing I noticed when modelling, was that the fonts used on each dial were very different. Then on FB I had several people say that the Tacho must of been replaced at some point by someone. In nearly 10 years of owning my Mk1 I had never noticed that the dials don't match.. I can't unsee it now.
    Mk1 Escort 1.3 XFlow Turbo - http://bytesandbolts.com/tag/mk1-escort/

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    Racer Decade Plus User wildo105e's Avatar

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    A great feature would be able to change the 4 auxiliary gauges. maybe by a push button so you could jump between 2 sets of 4 i.e standard set and then maybe AFR boost oil temp etc. don't know if you were considering the extra gauges yet, but that would be really cool.

    progress so far looks great though.

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    Bodger

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    The 4 aux gauges are out of scope for the version of the project, they will be staying analog for now. The main reason for that being available space for the displays to fit. In an ideal world I would be using a separate screen for each big dial but after months of searching I struggled to find a display that suited my needs, so I had to compromise for one screen to serve both dials.. It doesn't fit perfectly but it will do for the first version. I probably would use the Blackberry Passport screens if I could as they are super high res and square 1:1 ratio, they would fit perfectly. But I just don't have the knowledge at this point in time to find/develop a LCD controller to drive the screens, plus it's probably all closed source/proprietary.

    I am planning to have extra sensor info display somewhere, haven't decided where or how yet. But I am already working on modelling the plastic bit on the rear of the steering wheel, to 3D print a new part that will allow for some nice buttons to be fitted in. I am quite fond of the volume controls found on modern cars, so I'll probably have a button that will cycle through various display viewing options or something.
    Mk1 Escort 1.3 XFlow Turbo - http://bytesandbolts.com/tag/mk1-escort/

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    World Champion Decade Plus User meXEco's Avatar

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about lol but that looks ace.


    '68 1100 Deluxe-bog stock soon to be a twincam rep.


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    Spanner Monkey

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Looks fantastic !

    I would ask you explain how you did it in detail, but I probably would not understand

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Hi mate, what a revolution . I have been wanting something digital for my project. What you have done is absolutely fantastic. I wish you all the best in perfecting what already looks perfect.

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    Spanner Monkey

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Been over a year...any updates?
    James

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    escort2.jpg

    This is the solution that I am going with for my Mk1 Escort...

    Still in progress, havent quite finished all of the detail work yet, just a basic layout.
    Last edited by Cossie55ish; 19-06-2017 at 06:07.

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    Bodger

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Quote Originally Posted by James Jordan View Post
    Been over a year...any updates?
    James
    Quote Originally Posted by James Jordan View Post
    Been over a year...any updates?
    James
    Apologies I had forgot about this thread; relocation, new job, time running away etc etc.

    I have been working on the digital cluster here and there since my last update, a fair amount of time has been spend improving the build system and bringing the dash software up to date (Linux kernel 4.9).

    Hardware wise I was having some difficulty getting the cluster to 'cleanly' fit in the panel in the car. How I mounted the PCB's on the rear of the cluster casing I calculated incorrectly, and they were contacting the body. There was a few other niggly bits like it was hard to access the rear of the cluster once it was institute, meaning if you needed to swap SD cards or perform any kind of maintenance it would be difficult.
    In short I bought a 3D printer earlier this year and have been experimenting with printing a custom rear case to accommodate the PCB's perfectly.

    One thing extra I did was purchase a second set of components and build a test rig, this makes it much easier to test components for the dash, as well as be handy for moving it around the house.

    C-hseA8XkAAefH6.jpg

    Let me know what you guys think, do you want me to be more vocal on updates for this, are people still interested by it?
    Mk1 Escort 1.3 XFlow Turbo - http://bytesandbolts.com/tag/mk1-escort/

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Hi mate, I'm interested and think it is fantastic what you are doing. There is another fellow who is developing for a lotus duratec project. Maybe you could have a chat with him.

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    Bodger

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Quote Originally Posted by tonymexico View Post
    There is another fellow who is developing for a lotus duratec project. Maybe you could have a chat with him.
    Oh nice, got a link to his project?
    Mk1 Escort 1.3 XFlow Turbo - http://bytesandbolts.com/tag/mk1-escort/

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    Spanner Monkey Turbosport Subscriber Jimmythedimmy's Avatar

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    yeah please continue with the updates. really interesting project.

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Please mate

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Hi mate, hope the link is right. If you look for latest article page 7
    Re: DJ Wilmas Lotus Elise S2 111 Turbo ECOBOOST
    I believe the same guy is on you tube. GARW.

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    Pit Crew 5tox's Avatar

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    WOW.... i have recently started messing around with arduino at a very basic level and was hoping to integrate it somehow into the escort, i guess the only limitation is the human imagination.

    Absolutely fantastic little project which i will be keeping a close eye on

  35. #35
    I support TS Turbosport Subscriber sholdowa's Avatar

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    tbh I'd upgrade to rpi 5tox. plenty of power there, and still cheap as. take care with voltage on gpios tho
    Last edited by sholdowa; 22-06-2017 at 09:28.

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Thats cool as ��

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    Bodger

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Sorry for the lack of updates, I kinda forgot about this thread to be completely honest. The good news is I've been working on/off the dash since my last post, and its currently in good shape and very much alive. It's pretty much done as a first prototype, still coding the odometer and need to finish the alternator input circuit (not sure how to do this yet) but recently I've been working on other bits to get the rest of the car back together (engine rebuild and EFI harness).

    It gets both RPM and vehicle speed (plus any other engine sensor I want to display) from the MS3 ECU via CAN-bus.
    The dash plugs into the original Ford 12-pin round connector to receive inputs for; indicators, alternator, main beam, side lights, IGN input.
    IGN input is the main trigger that triggers the power mgmt board to boot up the dash, it also controls the shutdown meaning when IGN is turned off the dash doesn't just have its power cut. It's current set to shutdown after IGN has been turned off for 10 seconds, so if you stalled the engine the dash would stay on long enough for you to restart the engine.

    Not sure what else to say, modelled and 3D all custom rear casing for the 6-pod dash, also then created custom harness to provide grounds to all the dials that were grounded via the original metal case.

    It's still very much a prototype, just need refinements now such as tidying the rear case surrounding the main computer and keeping all the software up to date.

    IMG_4617.jpg

    IMG_4564.jpg

    IMG_4563.jpg

    IMG_4593 copy.jpg
    Mk1 Escort 1.3 XFlow Turbo - http://bytesandbolts.com/tag/mk1-escort/

  38. #38
    Bodger

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    This is amazing! I may consider something similar if I go zetec!

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    Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    Love the enthusiasm... Great work , cheers from Jamaica ......thats what you call a passion ford, not shopping with Burton n all the other big corps....now a days ppl dont use there brains so its good to see one thats not wasted ...excellent work once again

  40. #40
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    Talking Re: Mk1 Escort Digital Dash

    I know this thread is long dead, but did you ever finish this project? Tempted to do something similar myself for my MK1

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