I got an ALDL to serial cable for my fiero from Oliver. I was able to hook my laptop up to it, which is cool. Even cooler, I wrote the Palm software so I could connect my Palm IIIxe to my fiero and see the ECM data while I was driving displayed on the palm screen.
------------------ Martin D. White 86.5 GT 3.4 pushrod (dual TB intake in the works) on 88 cradle (2.5" coilovers), gt-40 style hood vent, recessed lights, GA brakes on held drop spindles. 2610 lbs and on diet...
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04:25 PM
PFF
System Bot
fieroman_5000 Member
Posts: 1407 From: Ann Arbor, MI, USA Registered: Oct 2001
Sweet! I was searching the net a ton about a year ago to find software to monitor the aldl. I never could find something, so I'm glad somebody created it...I really admire that "can do" attitude!
Just out of curiosity, how often does the aldl data refresh on the palm display?
Now, if I could just figure out how I can afford a palm...
Bryce 88 GT
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05:26 PM
utahfiero Member
Posts: 244 From: Kingsport, TN Registered: Jan 2002
The data on the Palm Display refreshes about once every 1-1.5 seconds. That is the same refresh as when using my laptop to log the data to a file with timestamps. (The logged data, with timestamps, from the laptop can be downloaded from my webpage, if you want to get a more accurate average for refresh rate.)
The current palm program does not record data, it just displays it. I will record data in the next version. The data files I have recored with my laptop are about 50k for a 25 min drive. That means the palm with 8000k should be able to hold (at most) 65 hours of driving data. My Palm has a little over 2000k free, so that is about 16 hours of driving data. I think the batteries will die long before the memory fills up.
you might want to set the program so it will time mark when a specific button is pressed. This way, hopefully, you can see what led up to a problem more easily. I say hopefully because the ODB1 ECM data streams aren't all that fast, certainly not real time. Easy to miss a really short event. (All ODB1 scanners update at the 1-1.5 sec rate. that's apparently as fast as the ECM feeds out.)
Even new palms aren't all that expensive if you've got other uses for them. I seem to remember Palm just price dropped them again.
------------------ 11-Sept-01, The day the world as we knew it ended.
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11:29 PM
utahfiero Member
Posts: 244 From: Kingsport, TN Registered: Jan 2002
I tried using a Fujitsu Stylist notebook PC. It worked great. Mounted it above radio/air controls. Looked cool. Had to get rid of it. Work computer. While I had it I recorded a few trips. !50 Miles one day to southern ohio and back. Wish I had more of a use for it. It did work very good for playing MP3 files as a jukebox.. my two cents.
I use a Handspring Visor Deluxe, which I got refurbished a year ago for $99. At the time, it was a $200 PDA new, so I saved myself $100...and you would not know it to look at the thing. Handspring's site warns that remanufactured units may have slight damage (scratches or blemishes) but mine was just as pretty as if I'd bought it from Best Buy or somewhere....
utahfiero, thanks for writing the program! I've been wanting something like this, but I suck at programming. I look forward to a data-logging version. The only problem is, it doesn't seem to work with my Handspring. It seems to me that it ought to--the Handspring uses Palm OS version 3--but I get an "invalid file" when I try to sync it into the PDA. Hm.
I will try to find a handspring and try it out. If you can give me the exact text of the error message I might be able to fix it.
Martin D. White
Thanks! Here's the message from the HotSync log:
HotSync operation started 11/12/02 00:50:17 - Invalid handheld file deleted: C:\Program Files\Handspring\HeringE\Install\PalmALDL.prc OK Install with 1 message(s) [there was more here, but I removed a bunch of stuff non-related to this issue] HotSync operation complete 11/12/02 00:50:20
Unfortunately, that's the bulk of what I can tell you about this--and that error message doesn't give a heck of a lot of detail on _why_ it was an invalid file.
In short, I have no idea why the hey this didn't work. I've downloaded a ton of other Palm OS files from the internet and installed them on my Handspring without trouble. What version of the Palm OS does your IIIxe run?
According to "Info", my Handspring runs "Palm OS Software v. 3.1H3" (that's a verbatim quote). I have nearly 6 meg free on the thing, so I know memory isn't an issue.
I just swapped the PalmALDL.prc (palm application) on my webpage for one that will record the data as you drive. To get the recorded data do a backup fo the palm and in the backed up files find the file named ALDLDATA.pdb. Open it with any text editor (notepad.exe) and it will be a readable form of the recorded data.
The disable auto off function is also now implemented.
Oliver will sell them pre-made and tested for $75.
It is well worth it.
Martin D. White
------------------ Martin D. White 86.5 GT 3.4 pushrod (dual TB intake in the works) on 88 cradle (2.5" coilovers), gt-40 style hood vent, recessed lights, GA brakes on held drop spindles. 2610 lbs and on diet...
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11:06 PM
HummelHund Member
Posts: 1037 From: Niceville, FL, USA Registered: Apr 2001
This may be a stupid question, but you'll have to bear with me. What exactly does the Palm tell you? Codes, I suppose, but what else? My father just fixed a Palm IIIx for me (cracker digitizer), so I've got part of the kit...
------------------ 87' Fiero GT 5-spd 84' Fiero SE 2m4 4-spd SOLD
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11:08 PM
utahfiero Member
Posts: 244 From: Kingsport, TN Registered: Jan 2002
If you look at the datafile logged from the ECM to my laptop you will see the information. The same information is displayed on the Palm (and recorded with the latest version).
For the v6 they are:
"CLT" /* Engine Coolant (in degrees Centigrade, -40..152), */, "MAT" /* Manifold Air Temperature (in degrees Centigrade, -63..159), */, "TPS" /* Throttle Position Sensor (in Volts, 0-5.1), */, "MAP" /* Manifold Air Pressure (in Volts, 0-5.1), */, "VSS" /* Vehicle Speed Sensor (in MPH, 0-255), */, "RPM" /* RPM (0-6375), */, "BAT" /* Battery Voltage (in Volts, 0-25.5), */, "IAC" /* Idle Air Control Valve (in steps, 0-255), */, "EGR DC" /* EGR Valve Duty Cycle (in percent, 0-100), */, "O2" /* O2 Sensor (in Volts, 0-1.127), */, "INT" /* Integrator (0-255), */, "O2CNT" /* O2 Crosscounts (0-255), */, "BLM" /* Block Learn Multiplier (0-255), */, "ADV" /* Spark Advance (in degrees Offset, 0-90.0 measured from some base timing), */, "BPW" /* Base Pulse Width (in ms, 0-1000.0) */, "Loop" /* Loop Status (0=open, 1=closed) */, "EGR Sw" /* EGR Diagnostic Switch (0=open, 1=closed) */, "TCC" /* TCC/Shift (0=off, 1=on) */, "Mixt." /* Mixture Status (0=lean, 1=rich) */, "P/N" /* P/N Switch (0=off, 1=on) */, "AC Req" /* A/C Request (0=yes, 1=no) */, "AC Clu" /* A/C Clutch (0=off, 1=on) */,
For the 4 cylinder they are: "CLT" /* Engine Coolant (in degrees Centigrade, -63..159),*/, "TPS" /* Throttle Position Sensor (in Volts, 0-5.1),*/, "MAP" /* Manifold Air Pressure (in Volts, 0-5.1),*/, "VSS" /* Vehicle Speed Sensor (in MPH, 0-255),*/, "RPM" /* RPM (0-6375),*/, "BAT" /* Battery Voltage (in Volts, 0-25.5),*/, "IAC" /* Idle Air Control Valve (in steps, 0-255),*/, "O2" /* O2 Sensor (in Volts, 0-1.127),*/, "INT" /* Integrator (0-255),*/, "O2CNT" /* O2 Crosscounts (0-255),*/, "BLM" /* Block Learn Multiplier (0-255),*/, "Loop" /* Loop Status (0=open, 1=closed)*/, "TCC" /* TCC/Shift (0=off, 1=on)*/, "Mixt." /* Mixture Status (0=lean, 1=rich)*/, "P/N" /* P/N Switch (0=off, 1=on)*/, "AC Req" /* A/C Request (0=yes, 1=no)*/, "AC Clu" /* A/C Clutch (0=off, 1=on)*/, "Fan" /* Fan Relay (0=off, 1=on)*/,
All displayed once every 1-1.5 seconds.
It will also show the error code when the scanconverter is in errorcode mode.
Martin D. White
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11:24 PM
Nov 16th, 2002
Art Doyle Member
Posts: 59 From: Carrollton,TX,USA Registered: Nov 2001
I did not use codewarrior. I used the free gnu tools to write the program. I did not start with the WinALDL code. I started with a very simple hello world palm sample. The license on the tools and the sample both allow distribution.
I am in europe for the next couple weeks and I will look at the handspring loading problem when I get back in the good old USA.
I just managed to get UtahFiero's program to hotsync onto my Handspring Visor. I haven't built the ALDL cable yet. When I ran the program it gave me a "Fatal Error" (Fatal Exception), from which I had to do a soft reset in order to get running again. However, this might be because I don't have the ALDL cable connected yet.
Ed
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02:13 AM
1MohrFiero Member
Posts: 4363 From: Paducah, Ky Registered: Apr 2003
I seem to recall that Palm sells a program to do this for about $20. While the home brew is great this cheap factory program might not be as frustrating.
I done think that the Handspring visor has a serial port, it only has a usb port. This program only works with Palms that have serial ports. If your palm (handspring visor) does not have a serial port this program will not work. Olivers ALDL cable will not work either.
According to the developer's manuals for the Handspring Visor, this thing does indeed have a serial port. IIRC with the right adapter cable it will connect directly to any RS-232 serial port. Let me check this.
Your program doesn't access the hardware directly, right? I would assume that you use a built-in function call to access the serial port.... If that's so, then it ought to work. Have you ever tried running the program on your Palm IIIxe without an ALDL cable attached?
The cable in that link (the WinALDL cable) will NOT work with the palm program that I wrote. The program I wrote will ONLY work with the cables built by (or like) Oliver's cable. The data from the two cables is VERY different.
I will write a Palm App to work with that cable if someone sends me one of those cables for free.
I have the the palm app on both a Palm IIIxe with nothing connected and a Sony ClieT665C with nothing connected. Both worked (no Fatal Exception).
The data I just found on the visor serial port was not clear. I will look some more later. I use the builtin serial port manager to access the serial port, so I am suprised that it gives a FATAL exception. If you could send me the ROM image from your visor I could use POSE to find the problem.
The cable in that link (the WinALDL cable) will NOT work with the palm program that I wrote. The program I wrote will ONLY work with the cables built by (or like) Oliver's cable. The data from the two cables is VERY different.
I will write a Palm App to work with that cable if someone sends me one of those cables for free.
I have the the palm app on both a Palm IIIxe with nothing connected and a Sony ClieT665C with nothing connected. Both worked (no Fatal Exception).
The data I just found on the visor serial port was not clear. I will look some more later. I use the builtin serial port manager to access the serial port, so I am suprised that it gives a FATAL exception. If you could send me the ROM image from your visor I could use POSE to find the problem.
Martin D. White
I expected that to be the case (knowing just enough about programming to know that it would be stupid to write your own serial routines).
Right now I'm trying to get ahold of a Palm IIIxe for cheap, so don't worry excessively about this. Besides that, I've got to get a serial hotsync cable for the Handspring before I can extract a ROM image. Once I get a serial cable I'll PM you the image.
Thanks for the information re: the type of cable needed. Assuming that I would have eventually gotten the other stuff to work (one way or another) that would have driven me bonkers.
To tell the truth, I like the looks of Oliver's cable; it's just hard to find money for both a new/used PDA _and_ one of Oliver's cables when I'm hip-deep in getting my manifold leak taken care of. I suppose I could just play "Tetris" on the thing until next month...
Ed
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02:21 AM
Mac Member
Posts: 330 From: Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada Registered: May 2002
The cable in that link (the WinALDL cable) will NOT work with the palm program that I wrote. The program I wrote will ONLY work with the cables built by (or like) Oliver's cable. The data from the two cables is VERY different.
I will write a Palm App to work with that cable if someone sends me one of those cables for free.
That sounds interesting, because I have most of the parts on hand and could gin one up in about an hour. I've got to make one for my laptop anyway; it would not be all that much extra work or $$ to make another one--and I could then test 'em both with the laptop.
I do not, however, guarantee that they will be "show quality"...
Please send me a PM if you think we can come to some arrangement....
Ed
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02:28 AM
fieroluke Member
Posts: 357 From: Erlangen, Germany Registered: Mar 2001
actually, I don't sell them for $75, but the price is $60, the remainder is shipping.
So, if you guys pool, you can save on shipping, and the price also goes down to $50 for quantities of 5+.
And as for the price, this is caused by a *real* RS232 level converter (as compared to the WinALDL cable, which will not necessarily work with all PCs or other devices with serial interface), and a real CPU, which takes care of all timing issues and converts the ALDL data to real, decoded, ASCII RS232 data.
Best regards,
-Oliver
------------------ Visit my website: www.fieros.de for lots of technical and other Fiero related information
I have been selling these cables in the mall. If you don't end up making one let me know and I will send one out in interest in getting a program written for the Palm.
I do have a suggestion for you. I don't know what voltage levels the palm serial port puts out but I would imagine that it is a low level. You will thus need to use a 12 volt source from the car in the circuit for the WinALDL cable.
quote
Originally posted by edhering:
That sounds interesting, because I have most of the parts on hand and could gin one up in about an hour. I've got to make one for my laptop anyway; it would not be all that much extra work or $$ to make another one--and I could then test 'em both with the laptop.
I do not, however, guarantee that they will be "show quality"...
Please send me a PM if you think we can come to some arrangement....
No insult was intended; I apologize if you thought I was ripping on your cable. I actually think your cable is a really nice piece of work. I tend to include S&H as part of the cost of anything I buy (I do the same with tax, if any) but I do know your cable is actually $60, not $75.
When I have the $$$, I _will_ be ordering one, & for the reasons you mentioned in your post... Does your cable work with the WinALDL program, at the site I mentioned in an earlier post?
* * *
Jefrysuko:
I was thinking that the Palm serial port might not (probably would not) provide 12V. 5V is probably more realistic, and I don't want to think about how quick the juice would drain even if it were 12V. I was thinking I'd have to include a set of 12V and GND leads to provide the 12V--maybe use a cigarette lighter plug for that.
11-Sept-01, The day the world as we knew it ended.
