Hi
I'm figuring out how to make a "computer/controlsystem" for my diesel engine. The system is going to monitor temp sensors, fuelflow, volt, pressure, much more. Is the Arduino Dulilimanove able to monitor all this at the same time, and let me scroll in a LCD through the parameters? Maybe just one pushbutton, so I can change what I want to monitor?
Regards Fredrik, and thanks for answering
The system is going to monitor temp sensors, fuelflow, volt, pressure, much more
You're going to have to define "much more" here, and what the sensors are.
You also have to ask yourself if YOU are able to build an Arduino based engine management system. It is far from a trivial project, and no offense intended here, but the fact that you're asking whether it is possible or not is the first indication that you are simply not up to the task.
I'm not trying to deter, but there's a saying that may apply here, biting off more than you can chew.
Note that there's a huge difference between a "controller" (active) and a "monitor" (essentially passive).
If you want the former, I'd say "don't", but if it's the latter, I'd say "carry on, but be careful" (at least it's a diesel, so no nasty high voltages)
Is the Arduino Dulilimanove able to monitor all this at the same time, and let me scroll in a LCD through the parameters
Yes it is.
The most difficult part will probably be to interface all the different types of sensors. If it is a car engine it may be possible to use the OBD interface.
If the goal is to monitor many different variables you would be better off with a CAN reading solution. I did that with a different device... I wish Arduino provided a built-in CAN solution...
Thank's for answer 8)
The plan is to have 4 temp sensors around the boat. Engine cooling system(atleast 2 sensors), oiltemp and airtemp in machineroom. maybe a preassuresensor for oilpreassure(the preasure sensor is a recistor that have maximum recistanse at no preassure and total open at max preassure). Also having voltmeter for the chargingvolt and a clock. BTW, it's noe any CAN BUS on the engine.
Can I have 2 serial LCD's and have everything displayed at the same time?
Regards Fredrik
Hi Fredrik,
Does your space bar have a problem or is concatenating words a Norwegian thing?
Can I have 2 serial LCD's and have everything displayed at the same time?
Yes, you can have as many as you like displaying whatever you like.
Why two displays, do you want them in different locations?
Rob
This may not be relevant (and I haven't done this stuff since the 80s) but your use of the word machineroom makes me assume that this boat is of a reasonable size and thus likely has existing instruments. At that time, it was possible to add additional sensors to an existing NMEA network and simply let them emit a data sentence with a unique indentifying id. Repeaters anywhere on the boat could select which channel to display. In such a situation, it sounds like the Arduino could read your sensors and put their readings onto an existing system for display. Alternatively, as suggested, you can run the data to multiple dedicated LCD displays.
Graynomad:
Hi Fredrik,Does your space bar have a problem or is concatenating words a Norwegian thing?
Can I have 2 serial LCD's and have everything displayed at the same time?
Yes, you can have as many as you like displaying whatever you like.
Why two displays, do you want them in different locations?
Rob
Ehhh..... We use the spacebare like that in norwegian, but my spacebar is not as good as a new one 
Thanks for answer. The reason why I want 2(or more) LCD's, is because I want all the information to be displayed at the same time. I asume that I can display all on a LCD like this http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9351
Fredrik
I want all the information to be displayed at the same time.
In that case just get a display that's large enough.
That Sparkfun one looks OK and there are 1000s of others. If you want something really flash you could try one of the 4D Systems colour LCDs with a touch panel. Only about 2x the price of that SF display but full colour and about 3x the pixels with a touch panel and SD card interface thrown in.
http://www.4dsystems.com.au/prod.php?id=113
Rob
That sounds interesting, but is it hard to program? I have never used a LCD on my Arduino before, so I think it would be easyest to use the one i linked to, or what do you think?
Ragards Fredrik
is it hard to program?
I haven't used either but the 4DS is a serial interface as well so it should be as easy as the the Sparkfun one.
One of the guys here (avenue33) has a nice library for the display which would of course help a lot.
See this thread.
http://arduino.cc/forum/index.php/topic,60802.0.html
Rob
Thanks for helping
Interesting, but it might be to complicated to program with colors I think. I'm gonna look it better up when I come home. Can I program different "instrument's"?
Fredrik
it might be to complicated to program with colors I think.
You don't have to use colour, but then that's half the reason for that display I guess.
So you have to draw say a circle whatever display you use, it's just that one function call probably has a colour parameter or there's a pen.color parameter or something. I see little difference and colour adds a lot to a UI.
Can I program different "instrument's"?
I don't know, can you?
You can program anything you are capable of, there may be some libraries with pre-canned widgets I've never looked (for either display).
Bottom line, you will have to do roughly the same work either way. The 4DS screen has a lot more appeal and features, but costs more.
Rob
The most easyest for mye would be to order a monochrome LCD like I linked to, from a shop here in Norway. It's not easy to get components for project here in Norway without buying from other countries 
Yeah I have trouble getting stuff to, I hate mail ordering but that's pretty much the way of the world these days.
Rob