Hello everyone,
I tried to make the title as comprehensive as possible.
Almost everything's in there.
I want to have a display for a ebike computer.
The underlying project is a different arduino project that produces all the information. It works with a Nokia Display that I don't like at all.
I would therefor like to do a readout of the information produced by that arduino nano and do one of two things.
-
Use this display or a similar one http://www.ebay.de/itm/New-5-0-800-480-TFT-LCD-Module-Display-Touch-Panel-SSD1963-For-51-AVR-STM32-/121089743977?pt=Bauteile&hash=item1c3182dc69
I would make a housing for the screen, some buttons and an arduino Nano. This would be mounted to the handlebar and communicate with the other arduino mounted inside the triangle frame. -
Use a 5" waterproof Android device. Make a non removable clamp for it, charge it from the battery of the bike. Hook it up via bluetooth and display info from the other arduino.
A few considerations.
-
The device is to become part of the bike and remain attached to it. I won't take it with me, when I park the bike. I already have another Android phone, which I intend to use as a phone (duh!) and for navigation.
-
I don't need any fancy graphics
This is more or less, what it should look like -
Using a capacitive touchscreen on a bike is close to impossible. I'll need buttons for the controls. A resistive touchscreen would actually be an advantage (especially in the rain)
-
Readability is key (maybe a shield against sun from the top or the side will be necessary)
-
The program needs to start with the bike. It should be like the cockpit in a car, that comes online when you use the ignition in a car. It shouldn't take minutes for everything to be online. Switch on the bike (and with it the arduino) and the display comes alive in the view that's needed.
-
Android would be easier adaptable for other people because each can choose their own device
-
Android would have to communicate via bluetooth, which may cause connectivity problems.
-
Android display for me is free for testing purposes (I already have one) but pricier, when I need to buy a dedicated device.
To me it boils down to 2 key questions.
Can the display be used with an Arduino nano? A mega would make the whole thing too big on the handlebar
Which is easier to do in terms of programming?
Assume that all the information is ready for transmition on the other arduino and that the other arduino has a BT module
I'm new to programming and am still working on my first program. It took me about 2 days to learn how to debounce a button, change integers on the press of a button and display text and integers on a Nokia 5110 display.
So, what do you guys think. I have all the features planned in my head and I have a grip on the other issues in the project. Choosing the right display solution is the fundamental question I have problems with and it'll determine, what I'm going to look into.
Thank you guys a lot. I'm really looking forward to this project.