APK Developments Dash

[Alex Kalempa]

Hello everyone,

I'm writing to introduce APK Developments Type 1M dash in development for use with motorcycle engine powered vehicles. It features a compact display unit, fully digital data inputs, and an optional shift unit that shifts electro-pneumatically up, down, and in and out of neutral.

For more info, please visit. http://www.apk-developments.com/cycleproducts.html

Thank you,
Alex

[Charlie]

It shifts automatically? Hmm. I'm not sure how much control I'd want it to have.

You say on the site you want feedback on the layout, IMO, no need to label 'RPM', it should be the most obvious number anyway. And I'd do away with MPH for a better view of the other values.

-Charlie Ping
Auburn University FSAE (http://eng.auburn.edu/organizations/SAE/AUFSAE)
5th Overall Detroit 2003
? Overall Aussie 2003. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Alex Kalempa]

Hello Charlie,

Thank you for the response. To clarify the shift unit a little more... It doesn't shift automatically, although the thought had crossed my mind (the option is in F1 cars). Instead, there are two buttons in the steering wheel, one for up the other to downshift. Simply put, pressing one of the buttons will close a circuit that actuates an air valve to move the pneumatic cylinder connected to the shift linkage.

I have thought of offering two or more display layouts, one with all labels and one a bit more bare.. such as not labeling RPM. This will give more options so the driver has a layout that works for them to their liking. Custom layouts could also be created if what you want isn't offered.

Take care,
Alex
APK Developments (http://www.apk-developments.com)

[DJ Jockey]

Nice looking unit, but i'd think that 60x18mm is pretty small, isn't it?

Also - could you make it easily programmable for custom displays?

Looks good, and probably a lot cheaper than the other options on the market.

[Alex Kalempa]

Hello,

After a second review of the suitability of the 18.5 x 60.5 mm for the Type 1M system, it has been decided to use a 25 x 76 mm display. The data layout will remain the same, just that the display will be about 25% larger. This will make the display easier to read under high vibrations.

As for custom layouts, your requests would have to be factory programmed. A future standard feature will allow the user to modify the layout to their liking on their computer, and then download the new layout to the CPU unit of the Type 1M.

Cost was mentioned in the last post, and the Type 1M system is estimated to be at $500.

-Alex
APK Developments (http://www.apk-developments.com)

[Alex Kalempa]

Hello,

As an update, I'm writing to inform those interested that the larger 25 x 76 mm display is under development. You may expect to see a picture of the larger screen on the products webpage in about a week.

A feature not yet noted are the shift lights. The proposed setup has four led lights that light sequentially through the upper end of the rpm band. The first three lights are amber, and the fourth is red to indicate shift rpm. There is an additional fifth red led that flashes to indicate redline/over-rev.

The lights are user programmable through a computer program. This allows you to set the redline/over-rev rpm. It also allows you to set the shift rpm for each gear. The third setting sets the rpm interval at which the sequential lights turn on.

For example: Let's assume an engine with a 12,000 rpm redline has an ideal shift rpm of 11,250 rpm for 3rd gear, and the user prefers a light interval of 1,000 rpm. These variables are entered into the computer program, including the shift rpm for each other gear, and then downloaded to the CPU unit.

Then when in 3rd gear, this is the sequence:
1st amber light on at 8,250 rpm.
2nd amber light on at 9,250 rpm.
3rd amber light on at 10,250 rpm.
4th light (red) on at 11,250 rpm (shift)
If there is no shift when 12,000 rpm (redline) is reached, the fifth light (red) flashes.

What are your throughts on this setup?
Thank you,
Alex

[Big Daddy]

Could this unit be used on an engine off of a quad or the like or are you stuck with using a 4 cylinder motorcycle engine. Also do you have to have an ecu to send signals to this dash in order for it to work or does the dash do it on its own. Thanks

[Alex Kalempa]

Hello,

The Type 1M can be used with an engine from a 4-wheeler, yes. This system has it's own ECU. The ECU is a separate unit that contains connectors for your inputs, power, and outputs (display unit).

Development update:
-Continued testing on displays.
-Manufacturing of temp sensor assemblies begins.

Take care,
Alex Kalempa

[Kelsey]

Hello Alex,
Looks like a pretty solid product you are developing, though I have a couple quick questions.
Are cooling temp, exhaust temp, and oil temp the only available parameters for display?

I agree with Charlie, we really don't need to know our speed...the teams Data aquisition systems will be doing that already...though it is a nice display option, just in case the driver is curious.

Can the values be displayed in Metric (i.e. kph, ?C)? -sorry we like metric a little more in Canada! http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

What would be the added cost for the electro-pneumatic shifting assembly?

What, if any, additional sensors would have to be added to the engine...for example an F4i?

Thanks for answering our questions, and thank you for asking our input...if only more companies would do this!

Thanks,
Kelsey

Kelsey Gier
University of Calgary - Dino's Motorsports
2003 Powertrain Leader
www.ucalgary.ca/fsae (http://www.ucalgary.ca/fsae)

[This message was edited by Kelsey on September 24, 2003 at 04:23 AM.]

[Alex Kalempa]

Hello Kelsey,

Thank you for your message. In response to your questions: The display parameter list has been increased and now includes oil pressure, and cht.

The reason for the speed being displayed is just as you say, for the drivers curiousity. The programmable display setup software to be developed (as described in a previous post) will allow you to select what parameters you want to have displayed out of the list available.

Yes, the dash will be available as a metric version as well.

I have no prices on the optional shift unit yet as it is in it's early development stage. Construction on the formula car featured at the APK Developments website is being accelerated now so that work on the shift unit can continue.

As for engine monitoring, you would have to add sensors for each paramter of interest. The Type 1M dash is not able to connect to the engines ECU to obtain data. Basically this represents just RPM and coolant temp. You can't splice the wiring together either for a sensor like coolant temp. For oil and coolant temps, the Type 1M uses a fully digital temp sensor.

The Type 1M page is expected to be updated at the APK Developments website this week so be sure to check it out.

Thank you,
Alex

[Kelsey]

Thanks for answering those questions for me! I will probably have more to come.

Cheers,
Kelsey

Kelsey Gier
University of Calgary - Dino's Motorsports
2003 Powertrain Leader
www.ucalgary.ca/fsae (http://www.ucalgary.ca/fsae)

[Alex Kalempa]

Hello,

I am writing to notify those interested that I have added a picture of the new display to the Type 1M webpage.

This new display is 40 x 72 mm. Text is crisp and clear, please excuse the picture, the digital camera is hard to focus on an lcd.

What do you think of this new layout? Size?

Thank you,
Alex
APK Developments (http://www.apk-developments.com)

[Kelsey]

Looks to be a good size Alex. I was wondering though, being a driver, will there be some sort of anit-glare coating on the display screen, as well as some sort of hood over the shift light LCD's? Also, do you know when these displays will be available to the teams?

Thank you as always!

Kelsey Gier
University of Calgary - Dino's Motorsports
2003 Powertrain Leader
UofC Motorsports (http://www.ucalgary.ca/fsae)

[Alex Kalempa]

Hello,

I have been thinking about your last question this whole week, as I needed to evaluate where development really is with the dash.

-Final component selection is being made for the RPM, MPH circuitry. These were placed on order a few days ago so this should be completed next week.
-R&D has only scratched the surface for the semi-automatic shift unit, this is partly due to the SCCA A-mod race car not completed up to this point to enable R&D.
-Development of the display unit setup software started this week, however, it is unknown how long this will take.

If you need this dash soon, you can have one, minus the shift unit, and display unit setup software. This can be made available in a month and a half. Please email me if these are your needs. This updates the development calendar to how it is listed below.

1. Perform final component selection for RPM, MPH input circuitry.
2. Develop circuit board.
3. Package ECU, make sender assemblies.
4. Introductory Type 1M dash availability. Minus the shift unit, and display unit setup software.
5. Fix what you don't like and find wrong in the Type 1M system.
6. Develop display unit setup software.
7. Develop shift unit.

As for anti-glare filters, a few have been looked at, but will be left for introductory testing. It is a part of component packaging.

Thank you,
Alex

[Kelsey]

Thanks for the update Alex.
There is no hurry on the Dash unit yet, my team has already decided to us something different this year..but I would like to be able to get one for next years car! So, no real hurry.
I look forward to hearing about future updates.

Thanks a lot Alex.

Kelsey

Kelsey Gier
University of Calgary - Dino's Motorsports
2003 Powertrain Leader
UofC Motorsports (http://www.ucalgary.ca/fsae)

[Alex Kalempa]

Hello,

Development of the display setup program was initiated this week, and a detailed description of the program architecture is 2/3 written. You can see a sneak peak of what the program will look like at the link below.

http://www.apk-developments.com/prog8.jpg

The previously planned introduction for the Type 1M system has been changed to unknown. This is because the ECU is undergoing a redesign to cope with the rapidly expanding complexity of the system including future features.

Take care,
Alex