Anyone else interested in analog guages

[bbarnett]

First I likely need to mention this, lest others mock me as some sort of Luddite. I'm in computing, am an expert in multiple sub-fields, and eat tech like it's pizza. With extra cheese. Yum.

Point is I've spent my entire life embracing tech, but from where I sit it is over-used, over deployed, and silly in some circumstances. I realise others may not have this view, and that's perfectly fine. At the same time, I just wish I would have bought a 2023, but when I was closing in on a deal? The only one I wanted (manual, convertible, 8 banger) in my region had rusted tailpipes. I didn't really like what that said about build quality, and I attributed that to a lot of the logjam Ford had even at the start of 2023.

I mean, I really really regret not making that buy. The 24 seems fine, but I've missed out on analog gauges (my joy), and a real emergency brake.

Well, time moves forward, and I guess I'd have to embrace this eventually. If not now, in a few years regardless. So I'm going to pull on a 24 or 25, and design my own analog gauge *and* control set. Things I'll be doing:

1) either using something like a raspberry pi or an arduino + a can bus adapter, for the analog gauges

The goal here is to completely replace the driver dash, and either disconnect the LCD there, or cover it by a 3D printed cover

2) Replicate all controls, such as fan speed, mode, etc etc using analog controls, plus a 3D printed backing, whatever is required to make it look like it was a stock option

3) Cover the middle/centre dash LCD with a shroud that slides over it, whilst at the same time being easy to remove if required


From my perspective, I have a phone... and there's absolutely nothing I want from that centre dash LCD. It's just a glowing bunch of visual noise to me. If I want maps? Phone. If I want music? Phone. You get the idea.


Primary goals are to stop the distracting, dancing displays, animations, and the relentless glow, as well as ensure simple actions are tactile buttons that never move, and that changing fan speed isn't 3 or 4 clicks, with eyes off road.

Again, I get if many here are "What?!". That's fine.

But those of you that have interest, should I be documenting any of this for you? I don't mind doing so if it helps someone, but it seems a waste if I'm way out in left field.

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[ShadowCoyote]

I intend to keep my S650 for as long as I'm around. I've told myself if the displays shit the bed when it's out of warranty I'll likely try and go a custom analog route.

 

[Allanrock59]

First I likely need to mention this, lest others mock me as some sort of Luddite. I'm in computing, am an expert in multiple sub-fields, and eat tech like it's pizza. With extra cheese. Yum.

Point is I've spent my entire life embracing tech, but from where I sit it is over-used, over deployed, and silly in some circumstances. I realise others may not have this view, and that's perfectly fine. At the same time, I just wish I would have bought a 2023, but when I was closing in on a deal? The only one I wanted (manual, convertible, 8 banger) in my region had rusted tailpipes. I didn't really like what that said about build quality, and I attributed that to a lot of the logjam Ford had even at the start of 2023.

I mean, I really really regret not making that buy. The 24 seems fine, but I've missed out on analog gauges (my joy), and a real emergency brake.

Well, time moves forward, and I guess I'd have to embrace this eventually. If not now, in a few years regardless. So I'm going to pull on a 24 or 25, and design my own analog gauge *and* control set. Things I'll be doing:

1) either using something like a raspberry pi or an arduino + a can bus adapter, for the analog gauges

The goal here is to completely replace the driver dash, and either disconnect the LCD there, or cover it by a 3D printed cover

2) Replicate all controls, such as fan speed, mode, etc etc using analog controls, plus a 3D printed backing, whatever is required to make it look like it was a stock option

3) Cover the middle/centre dash LCD with a shroud that slides over it, whilst at the same time being easy to remove if required


From my perspective, I have a phone... and there's absolutely nothing I want from that centre dash LCD. It's just a glowing bunch of visual noise to me. If I want maps? Phone. If I want music? Phone. You get the idea.


Primary goals are to stop the distracting, dancing displays, animations, and the relentless glow, as well as ensure simple actions are tactile buttons that never move, and that changing fan speed isn't 3 or 4 clicks, with eyes off road.

Again, I get if many here are "What?!". That's fine.

But those of you that have interest, should I be documenting any of this for you? I don't mind doing so if it helps someone, but it seems a waste if I'm way out in left field.

I absolutely agree with you. The use of digital is really getting too far. Some are OK like navigation radio etc, but all of them come on. Well at least it's not a Tesla where EVERYTHING is on the display and crashes a lot.

Me too I regret a bit not buying the 2023 instead of the 24 but it was too late when I decided to purchase the car.

Please if you want to document it I really would like it.

 

[roadpilot]

Many would argue that there is a much simpler solution to your predicament: Sell or trade in the '24 and buy a '23.

 

[The Ghost]

Initially I wasn't so sure about the digital interface of the screen(s), but now I'm all-in. I love the customizable displays.

 

[CamustangSS650]

First I likely need to mention this, lest others mock me as some sort of Luddite. I'm in computing, am an expert in multiple sub-fields, and eat tech like it's pizza. With extra cheese. Yum.

Point is I've spent my entire life embracing tech, but from where I sit it is over-used, over deployed, and silly in some circumstances. I realise others may not have this view, and that's perfectly fine. At the same time, I just wish I would have bought a 2023, but when I was closing in on a deal? The only one I wanted (manual, convertible, 8 banger) in my region had rusted tailpipes. I didn't really like what that said about build quality, and I attributed that to a lot of the logjam Ford had even at the start of 2023.

I mean, I really really regret not making that buy. The 24 seems fine, but I've missed out on analog gauges (my joy), and a real emergency brake.

Well, time moves forward, and I guess I'd have to embrace this eventually. If not now, in a few years regardless. So I'm going to pull on a 24 or 25, and design my own analog gauge *and* control set. Things I'll be doing:

1) either using something like a raspberry pi or an arduino + a can bus adapter, for the analog gauges

The goal here is to completely replace the driver dash, and either disconnect the LCD there, or cover it by a 3D printed cover

2) Replicate all controls, such as fan speed, mode, etc etc using analog controls, plus a 3D printed backing, whatever is required to make it look like it was a stock option

3) Cover the middle/centre dash LCD with a shroud that slides over it, whilst at the same time being easy to remove if required


From my perspective, I have a phone... and there's absolutely nothing I want from that centre dash LCD. It's just a glowing bunch of visual noise to me. If I want maps? Phone. If I want music? Phone. You get the idea.


Primary goals are to stop the distracting, dancing displays, animations, and the relentless glow, as well as ensure simple actions are tactile buttons that never move, and that changing fan speed isn't 3 or 4 clicks, with eyes off road.

Again, I get if many here are "What?!". That's fine.

But those of you that have interest, should I be documenting any of this for you? I don't mind doing so if it helps someone, but it seems a waste if I'm way out in left field.

It's probably much simpler than that. Get a S550 analog clutster and connect it to the S650. It probably uses Can Bus and 12v power like any other modern dash. I bet the Can bus addresses are the same for speed and rpm. If not you can intercept them with arduino or use the 18 to 1 converter that they sell on ebay and reporgram the STM32 to intercept other signals instead of mileage.

Digital gauges with high refresh rate really have advantages. The problem is that the factory designs really aren't great.

It's a lot of work... I'd just get a tachometer that feeds from the OBD2 port.

 

[Zig]

analog fed by digital?

 

[Wiley Marmot]

I like the glass dash more than I thought I would. "But" if I had the choice between the dash in the 2016 Focus RS I traded on my GT or my GT's dash----I'd take the RS's dash hands down.

Also; I test drove a couple of 2017 GT350s before I bought my '24 GT; I liked their dash layout much better as well.

 

[roadpilot]

It's probably much simpler than that.

I already gave him the simplest fix: Trade it in on a '23.

 

[roket]

personally, i like the digital dash and all, but i definitely look forward to what you come up with! one thing you should know before embarking on your journey is that there is basically no room in the dash between the modules and screen. also, the APIM and IPC modules are separate from the screen. if you need part numbers, wiring diagrams, connector pinouts, or anything like that, let me know. i will support you with information for your project if i can

 

[LoneRanger57]

Just buy a 2023

 

[steveo1960]

As an old fart coming from the days when we ran an oil line inside the car to a mechanical oil pressure gauge, I never thought I would like the digital displays but I do. One thing I did learn is you have to see them in person as the videos on the net don't seem to show them the best way. To each his/her own.

 

[Zig]

As an old fart coming from the days when we ran an oil line inside the car to a mechanical oil pressure gauge, I never thought I would like the digital displays but I do. One thing I did learn is you have to see them in person as the videos on the net don't seem to show them the best way. To each his/her own.

While i agree i just wish they didn’t give the feeling of digital delay, trails of tails style. To me the old gauges felt more alive / responsive and not just simply a render of a rotation or a confluence of converted calculations - but then again ….

 

[erocker]

I'm hoping that one day there will be an upgrade for the system. Faster computer, higher Hz screen etc. I'd love to get some technical specs on the actual hardware being used in the car, though going by it's performance, it seems they rather cheaped out or the software is just that bad. I digress though, it's been pretty reliable for me.

 

[steveo1960]

While i agree i just wish they didn’t give the feeling of digital delay, trails of tails style. To me the old gauges felt more alive / responsive and not just simply a render of a rotation or a confluence of converted calculations - but then again ….

My one complaint is lack of numbers on the auxiliary gauge panels. They should be more informative IMHO. Unless I'm doing something wrong of course.

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