Crazy Climate Controller idea with ARDUINO board

[Jungoes]

so my climate controller is on its way out,(i'm aware of the ebay reman fixes but wanted to try something here) and i've been thinking about getting a small arduino board and try and redesign the climate controller with bare basics just the following

no digital screen
rotary switch for position/ mode selection
Temporary push button switches with led indicator for fresh/ recirculate
switch for AC
simple pot controller for fan speed

not sure how many relays i would need for the solenoids to position the selector for the modes,

my intent is to make a bare bones replacement board with just a few rotary dials and a stand alone temperature indicator to show inside temperature

controller board
Arduino Mega 2560 D1208 Development Board with USB Cable Blue & Black - Tmart.com
other parts
Cheap Arduino Kits & Single Chip Microcomputer DIY Module | Tmart

estimated price so far is around $50 for the board, pots, selector switch and relays.
programming may take some time :biggrin1:


let me know your thoughts, ( good bad ) are you nuts man?, :hiding: all feed back welcomed especially from any Arduino fans since this would be a new venture and potential new hobby

 

[jeff88]

I wait with earnest to see what you come up with. I, too am looking to get into the Arduino car-mod world, so I am defintely interested in what you do.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

Sounds like a lot of work for the climate control (though it is a PITA). If you're doing all that, why not do something like this (I'm real tempted to do it with a tablet and peripherals):

XOOM tablet based carputer project (work in progress) - Expedition Portal)

Then you could run GPS (Backcountry Navigator), the audio system, backup camera, monitor the GoPro on the windshield, monitor battery voltage, get an OBDII blue tooth and run gauge apps, etc. Oh great, now I have another project!

 

[IBallEngineer]

Then you could run GPS (Backcountry Navigator), the audio system, backup camera, monitor the GoPro on the windshield, monitor battery voltage, get an OBDII blue tooth and run gauge apps, etc. Oh great, now I have another project!

Damn you!

Must**Not**Give**In
:rant:

 

[packweco]

This sounds like a really cool project. I've done a small amount of arduino programming at work. I really suck at it. But, it's fun and extremely useful.

That said, I think this would be a fairly simple task. You could even replace the dev board with an arduino mini later on so that you don't have that giant pcb hanging around in your dash.

 

[Jungoes]

Sounds like a lot of work for the climate control (though it is a PITA). If you're doing all that, why not do something like this (I'm real tempted to do it with a tablet and peripherals):

XOOM tablet based carputer project (work in progress) - Expedition Portal)

Then you could run GPS (Backcountry Navigator), the audio system, backup camera, monitor the GoPro on the windshield, monitor battery voltage, get an OBDII blue tooth and run gauge apps, etc. Oh great, now I have another project!

wow now thats a project!, not sure where i would start with such a mod, since that guy still has his main climate control independent, I think i'll take some small steps and see how this arduino mod goes, I did soem searching and found some cheaper prices for the board ( under 10$ on ebay) so i guess trying this out will be cheaper ( incase i can't get it figured out).
I need to have a look at the wiring schematics and a look at the physical controller in the vehicle that positions the different mode selector.
I'll keep you guys posted,

 

[jeff88]

Be careful with the super cheap ones.The "fakes" are known to have problems and very little support.