Gear position sensor and display
Gear position sensor and display
(OP)
What simple parts can I use (off-the-shelf?) to fabricate a gearbox position sensor? I'm thinking about a sensor circuit that could display the manual gearbox position on an instrument panel-mounted, single digit LED array. I couldn't find any aftermarket products in an internet search except for auto. transmissions.
Thanks
Thanks





RE: Gear position sensor and display
One detects whether it is in the 13 or 24 plane, the other two detects whether it is in R or 34.
Thne you need some logic to sort that lot out. You need a bit more complexity to detect neutral as well.
These days you might find it easier to measure the engine speed and the vehicle speed, and then calculating which gear you are in.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Gear position sensor and display
National Semiconductor, among others make them.
RE: Gear position sensor and display
But I like Greg's idea of picking off the VSS and tach signals and doing the math. It's a nice job for something like a PIC.
Mike Halloran
NOT speaking for
DeAngelo Marine Exhaust Inc.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA
RE: Gear position sensor and display
On the flip side of that coin, it could be a good indicator of engine speed matching when downshifting (think non-synchro trans). It could help many new class A drivers when they get "lost in the gears."
RE: Gear position sensor and display
In addition, my shift control is remote, thus I can mount sensors onto a shift tube between shifter assy. and gearbox.
Does any of this provide a cleaner method of installation? Are IC LCD drivers a different animal than a LED driver?
Thanks
RE: Gear position sensor and display
Unless you can program in assembly you will need a compiler for a micro. Not sure about the PIC devices but there is a free C compiler available for the Atmel chips. Then you need a programmer. Unless you want an education, LEDs are easier to use. Ground the correct inputs with a switch and the number appears.
RE: Gear position sensor and display
I've been searching on the net for a single-digit LED display. Not just a standalone 7-segment chip (SMD or otherwise), but the entire chip and support circuits, something that's small enough to surface mount on an instrument panel or perhaps separate components connected by unobtrusive harness - something as small as a bicycle computer. Is there such an animal without going to a custom-fabbed piece?
Thanks
RE: Gear position sensor and display
http://www.mouser.com/catalog/622/19.pdf
RE: Gear position sensor and display
Thanks, but these are just the LED chip. I was looking for an existing assembly that includes underlying IC and enclosed in a surface mount housing - something off-the-shelf. Maybe such an animal doesn't exist?
RE: Gear position sensor and display
RE: Gear position sensor and display