Hey everyone! Normally this is something I'd take the time to learn myself, but I'm very strapped for time and would like to hire someone to handle the hardware part of my project. I can handle the software part.
What I need:
A robust Arduino board (that can handle vibrations and a bit of cold, nothing wild) - you can choose the board.
12v power input (leave me with pos + neg, I can hook it up)
Ability to read 4 separate pressure sensors (5v, can send link to the one I have for testing but open to buying whichever you recommend)
Ability to control 6 separate air solenoids (12v, can send link to the one I have, also happy to buy ones you recommend)
Ability to send 12v power to an external switch
Touch screen for UI (have one, I can send the link, again, also happy to buy what you recommend)
Arduino & Touch screen will be 8 to 10 feet away from the solenoids and pressure sensors, so would need some kind of wiring harness provisions (can discuss this, I'm happy to handle this myself too with a bit of guidance).
The project: monitor air pressure from 4 different sources and open/close solenoids as needed to adjust air pressure independently of each other by either opening a solenoid to dump air, or opening a different one AND turning a switch on to activate an air compressor.
Again - I'm happy to handle all the programming, but what I really need is someone who knows the hardware/wiring to put the package together for me, assembled, soldiered in a 'production' type fashion for me to then connect and program.
I have no idea what to offer to pay or what my budget should be, but I respect that time and knowledge have value and will pay accordingly after we chat.
What's your budget in both time and money to have this completed?
What do you mean with "12v power to an external switch"? Considering switches normally don't need to be powered as such - it's a make/break contact that the Arduino presumably has to sense, thus making 12V rather inconvenient and an odd requirement to begin with.
At 8-10ft (which is 2.5-3m for the rest of the world) the communication to the pressure sensors and the suggestion of a wiring harness suggesting you want all wires bundled together are a concern. More details needed.
Timeframe is sooner than later, but this is a fun project so no deadlines. In terms of budget, I really have no idea what the going rate for this kind of work is. I have an idea of what kind of time it should take so I'm not flying totally blind here thankfully. I'm happy to review and discuss quotes/estimates via PM.
I should have been more specific. You are correct, it's just an on/off switch that should send 12v power when "on" to another solenoid (automotive solenoid this time, not pneumatic) that in turn then fires up the air compressor.
lol. I'm actually in Canada so should have used meters, but have been managing a fabrication shop that uses feet. My bad.
Thanks for asking for clarity here. So the touch screen (and arduino) unit will ultimately end up in a 3d printed case of some kind (happy to have you do that as well if you have the capability) and mounted on the dashboard of my buggy. The sensors/solenoids will all be mounted in another case on the floor of the buggy behind the passenger seat. I'm sure you can see where this is going, but I'll need to build (or have supplied) some kind of wiring harness that'll connect the two. I am fine to do some soldering or crimping or whatever is needed to make the final connection, but I just need to make sure that plenty of wire is provided should it be hardwired/soldered at one end - but more importantly the length of wires has been taken into consideration when choosing gauge, etc.
Another option here is to give me a weatherpack style connection at each end and then I create the harness itself during installation.
Just for more clarity - if you haven't picked up on it already - the system is to automatically control air pressure in the tires of my buggy (below). Currently I control it all by manual valves (which is great, super reliable, but not much fun) but think a touch screen control on the dash would just be too f***ing cool to not do.
Obviously feel free to send more questions, or PM me if you think it's something you'd want to tackle.
I'm not sure the vibrations will warrant that. It's just vibrations from a big truck bouncing around and a little shimmy/shake from the big diesel engine.
I consider this the biggest unknown. You're outdoors in the cold and it shows snow on the ground. Around here people will go snowmobiling when it's -20F. Many displays don't like -20F. Some hate it when it's 100F+ baking in the sun.
Everything else I can easily quote you but the display needs consideration.
-20F is -28C - I'll likely never be out wheeling in -28C. While it can certainly get -20C here, I don't often go wheeling when it's that cold anyway. Lowest I'm really going out in would be -10C. But that being said - the truck does have heat and is generally pretty warm inside.
Heck, I likely can't even get the diesel in the truck fired up below -10C anyway! lol
The other end of the spectrum is a non issue. I will pretty much never be wheeling above 40C and the truck always has a roof so very minimal sun hitting the display.
Solenoids are easy to connect (simple MOSFET switch), pressure sensors as well (analog input).
With the automotive environment, care must be taking to keep things reliable. That basically means a proper PCB rather than using perfboard to solder the parts on to. It also means you need proper connectors - screw terminals and the like.
That switch you mention should it connect to the Arduino, which in turn switches the solenoid? That way you would be able to also show it on your display.
This is already in place and functioning in the truck. Right now it's turned on by closing the 'air compressor' switch on the dash. So instead of that I'd just need to send 12v from the Arduino which would then activate the solenoid.
No. The switch that exists in the truck will now will ultimately be replaced by the arduino system.
What do you need on the UI?
I've used these for UI in a truck and from the feedback I got, they work really well. But the display is much smaller (2.4") since we didn't have to show much.
