TruckinGeek
New Member
Hello!
Let me start by saying "Wow" what an amazing site! For the last 21 years I have been operating a semi truck (Lorri for my UK Pals) all over north America. As we all know, anything that moves breaks. As a matter of time, cost or convenience I have learned how to do many things on my own from engine repair to electronic troubleshooting.
As a stress relief I have found myself tinkering with various electronic board projects and have now decided to make a couple of items from my own imagination to make my life easier... but I need help!
I shall list my abilitys as best as I can...
1. I can read schematics.
2. I have the tools and talent to make my own 1 or 2 sided boards.
3. I have to ability to program EEproms and some AVR's
4. I can solder the wings of a Nat (Small insect) together. Ie BGA's and SMD are no problem... (Just need to get my "Good" glass's out).
5. I am computer literate.
6. I am patient.
I cannot (at this moment) do any AVR code assembly.
So...
I am looking for input/advice on a small project.
Currently most semi-trucks in north america ride down the road on an "air ride" suspension. It is common practice to take and cut one of the airlines coming from the suspension and insert a "T" connector so that an air gauge can be installed. When looking at the air gauge it is possible (with a little math) to come up with a very good "guess" on how much weight is on your truck. I would like to make it a lot more accurite.... and quicker.
Current Practise:
When Trailer is empty I have a gauge reading of 28 PSI. Since I have two axles connected to this gauge I divide 28 psi by 2 which equals 14. I multiply 14 by 1,000 and I now know that my "Tare" weight of the trailer is 14,000 LBS.
When I put a load on the trailer the PSI goes up in the suspension therefor it goes up on the gauge. So if I look at the gauge when loaded and it reads 78 PSI I divide it by 2 then multiply by 1,000 to get a rough quess of 39,000 LBS gross weight.
I then Subtract my "Tare" weight from that to come to a "Net" weight of 25,000 LBS.
I would like to take an air line (pressure varies from 0-80 psi as more weight is put on trailer)and connect it to a transducer, converting the physical input to an variable electric signal.
From the transducer I would like to go to a trim pot so that the device can be calibrated, then into a ATmel based Micro. With the output from the Micro going to a Easy to read LCD Screen.
Insert above device into a weatherproof casing. Mount on trailer.
Desired Result...
1. The ability to look at a screen and see immediatly what the "gross" weight of that axle is.
2. Push a button (or look on another line on same screen) and see what the "Net" weight is.
Options:
1. Push button to switch from metric to imperial readings.
2. Wireless transmition to hand held LCD device to see same readings but from "Deck of trailer or Cab" of truck.
Limits and or Standards:
1. 12 volts DC is the maximum power available for truck mounted device.
2. MUST be tough. This device will work in a very demanding enviroment weather wise.
Dream Options:
1. Would like to incorperate an onboard wireless tire air preasure monitoring device.
There are devices along this line of thought on the market already. I for one reason and another do not like the products. Besides... I would like to be able to say "I made it" when some-one asks where I got it. If anbody is interested in making suggestions or feels up to helping me learn how to write code for the Micro I would love some input.
Let me start by saying "Wow" what an amazing site! For the last 21 years I have been operating a semi truck (Lorri for my UK Pals) all over north America. As we all know, anything that moves breaks. As a matter of time, cost or convenience I have learned how to do many things on my own from engine repair to electronic troubleshooting.
As a stress relief I have found myself tinkering with various electronic board projects and have now decided to make a couple of items from my own imagination to make my life easier... but I need help!
I shall list my abilitys as best as I can...
1. I can read schematics.
2. I have the tools and talent to make my own 1 or 2 sided boards.
3. I have to ability to program EEproms and some AVR's
4. I can solder the wings of a Nat (Small insect) together. Ie BGA's and SMD are no problem... (Just need to get my "Good" glass's out).
5. I am computer literate.
6. I am patient.
I cannot (at this moment) do any AVR code assembly.
So...
I am looking for input/advice on a small project.
Currently most semi-trucks in north america ride down the road on an "air ride" suspension. It is common practice to take and cut one of the airlines coming from the suspension and insert a "T" connector so that an air gauge can be installed. When looking at the air gauge it is possible (with a little math) to come up with a very good "guess" on how much weight is on your truck. I would like to make it a lot more accurite.... and quicker.
Current Practise:
When Trailer is empty I have a gauge reading of 28 PSI. Since I have two axles connected to this gauge I divide 28 psi by 2 which equals 14. I multiply 14 by 1,000 and I now know that my "Tare" weight of the trailer is 14,000 LBS.
When I put a load on the trailer the PSI goes up in the suspension therefor it goes up on the gauge. So if I look at the gauge when loaded and it reads 78 PSI I divide it by 2 then multiply by 1,000 to get a rough quess of 39,000 LBS gross weight.
I then Subtract my "Tare" weight from that to come to a "Net" weight of 25,000 LBS.
I would like to take an air line (pressure varies from 0-80 psi as more weight is put on trailer)and connect it to a transducer, converting the physical input to an variable electric signal.
From the transducer I would like to go to a trim pot so that the device can be calibrated, then into a ATmel based Micro. With the output from the Micro going to a Easy to read LCD Screen.
Insert above device into a weatherproof casing. Mount on trailer.
Desired Result...
1. The ability to look at a screen and see immediatly what the "gross" weight of that axle is.
2. Push a button (or look on another line on same screen) and see what the "Net" weight is.
Options:
1. Push button to switch from metric to imperial readings.
2. Wireless transmition to hand held LCD device to see same readings but from "Deck of trailer or Cab" of truck.
Limits and or Standards:
1. 12 volts DC is the maximum power available for truck mounted device.
2. MUST be tough. This device will work in a very demanding enviroment weather wise.
Dream Options:
1. Would like to incorperate an onboard wireless tire air preasure monitoring device.
There are devices along this line of thought on the market already. I for one reason and another do not like the products. Besides... I would like to be able to say "I made it" when some-one asks where I got it. If anbody is interested in making suggestions or feels up to helping me learn how to write code for the Micro I would love some input.
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