MiniDash for PalmOS (Beta3)

[ShelGame]

OK, the OS 3.5.x compatibility issues seem to be fixed!

Beta 3 is now posted. Here are the updates:

1) If you change preferences, MiniDash will now properly re-initialize the serial coms so that you don't have to re-start to get data.

2) Updated graphics; should be a little faster and use a little less memory; fixed a "flicker" issue on OS5.x devices.

3) Fixed the serial issue on OS3.5.x. Some of the graphics updates were also to support OS3.5.x...

Same link as before, but here it is again:

MiniDash Beta 3

[ShelGame]

If anyone is lokoing for a Palm, I have 2 for sale here.

[ShelGame]

For more info on MiniDash (including a screenshot), look here and here.

[ShelGame]

If you're looking for cables for your Palm, these guys seem to have a huge selection - PN Technologies

[ShelGame]

I may have found a supplier for cables for all of the Palm devices. Palm III series might be tough due to limited supply of that connector. The others should be no problem. With any luck, they'll have a built-in line-level converter when required. I'll post an update later...

[mcsvt]

^^That would be great. What do you think the price range will be?

[ShelGame]

Not sure. They won't be cheap. These will essentially be custom cables, hand-built. GPS-to-Palm cables are similar, and they go for $30-40. With the line-level converter built in, I would expect it to get up to maybe $50-60.

Keep in mind also, that the Chrysler SCI cable for the scantools goes for ~$30.

It really depends on the cost and availability of the SCI connector...

[ShelGame]

Has anyone tried the latest build? Any feedback?

For the next build, I'm going to add an indicator showing whether or not MiniDash is in record mode. Right now, you have no way of knowing if it's actually recording anything. There'll be an "R" flashing in the lower left corner when recording. Possibly a "P" for playback mode.

I'm open to other suggestions...

[XR Tuner]

Here is a place that has Palm connectors. http://pc-mobile.net/conn.htm
If you look in the Chem file section they have the pinout for the data link connector
Here is the Palm pinout http://pinouts.ru/PDA/palm_iii_pinout.shtml
Does the interface board have to be the same as Chad's?
I have seen a couple of circuits that use the Max chip but don't have the two transistors and a couple of resistors like his does.
The only problem I have is that my car is a 92 Shadow which has a SBEC II,so I guess i am out of luck on using this thing.

[altered7151]

Rob, you said there was a users manual included in the installer program, I cant seem to find it anywhere. Where's that located?

[ShelGame]

Look for it under ...\Program Files\PalmOne\Installed Packages\MiniDash\MiniDashUser.pdf

I don't like where the installer puts it. I need to figure out how to put it where I want.

[Darkapollo]

Ive got 2 Palms, a Palm VII and a Handspring Trio. I know nothing about them. Will this program work on either of them?

[ShelGame]

It will run on both of them now problem. But, to connect to the car and get data, you need a serial port.

The VII should be fine. It has an RS232 serial port. You'll need a cable and a line-level converter. You'll want to use Afterburner (an overclocking utility) to get decent performance, though. Probably will need to clock it up to 26-28Mhz. You can run MiniDash at slwoer speeds, but playback won't be in real-time on the older Palm III/V/VII without a speed boost.

As for the Treo, it depends on which model you have. Some of the early Treo's don't have a serial port. If it has a serial port, then it will work. It's just a matter of getting the right cable. The newer Treo's with the PalmOne universal connector will work.

As I posted earlier, I'm working with a supplier for cables. With any luck, we'll have a single source for serial cables for most PalmOS devices.

[shmedley]

Rob,

Do you know if it will run on a Ipaq 3630?

[ShelGame]

iPaq's are Pocket PC/Windows Mobile, right? Then, no, it won't work. This is for PalmOS devices only. I don't have any plans to build a version for WM.

[eddycooper]

Rob,

For the data cable, is this something like what is needed?

http://stores.ebay.ca/CoolMCU

(the cable one).

Eddy

[ShelGame]

Rob,

For the data cable, is this something like what is needed?

http://stores.ebay.ca/CoolMCU

(the cable one).

Eddy

Possibly.

The problems is, that cable is designed to use a 5V supply. There's no 5V supply available on the Chrysler SCI connector. If you want to do some wiring, you should be able to take the 5V sensor supply wire and branch that to an unused pin on the SCI connector. Or, simlpy cut the SCI connector and hard-wire the cable in. Whichever you want.

Alternately, you could try to put 5V zener on the 12v supply line. The Max232 chips don't draw much power. So, I don't think that would be a problem. But, I've never tried it. See attached picture (lifted from a website that I've lost track of)

The interface board that Chad sells has a 5V power supply built in to drop the supply voltage from 12v to 5v. But, it doesn't fit so nicely into a cable...

[eddycooper]

Here's another one:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/TTL-to-RS232-Conv...QQcmdZViewItem

It claims to be powered by the serial port, but does it do the same thing?

Eddy

[ShelGame]

It should work. But, it will drain the Palm batteries faster since it's powered by the Palm serial port...

Here's another one:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/TTL-to-RS232-Conv...QQcmdZViewItem

It claims to be powered by the serial port, but does it do the same thing?

Eddy

[eddycooper]

Ah, well I'm starting to see why it would be a good idea for a special cable for this stuff...

It should work. But, it will drain the Palm batteries faster since it's powered by the Palm serial port...