An alternative, "modern" display /SOMEWHAT LIKE/ cycle analyst

This is a different, lengthy, costly and somewhat difficult approach, but I decided I didn't like the the display on cycle analyst so I built an alternative. I called it the pyEC for python bike computer. I use a Nextion HMI for the display so you can customize it anyway you like. I don't have the best graphics skills but did make a working display as proof of concept. It has Voltage, current etc. as well as logging, IMU, battery backup, graphing, GPS and basically anything else I could pack in.

It's a pyBoard compatible board, you then stack daughterboards on it to get the functionality you want. Serial, Horn, headlight control etc. I use a Kelly controllers KLS-S so it talks directly with that over serial for the speed and other data on my bike. Since it uses python, it's easily customized and with the display being Nextion (or TJC) you can just put any graphics you want. Other displays would work too, Serial, SPI, I2C though there is currently only code support for Nextion displays.

It's really a computer to run a full bike. All accessories, key, horn, light, cameras, GPS, IMU, logging, display, BMS. It can even apply throttle curves to modify throttle input/output. That can also be applied to regen. The code could do things like prevent the front wheel coming too high off the ground by reading the IMU and limiting throttle/applying the regen.

If anyone is interested to help work on this, let me know. It's just a personal project, but I'd be happy to share with anyone interested.

There is more info about it on my website http://makestuff4.fun/2020/02/09/pyec/
I have short video about my bike here: https://youtu.be/m_7QcT4yk7M
If you forward 40 seconds into the video you can see a pretty good shot of the display. The attached picture is washed out by the sun.

OR

Jason could create a bluetooth version of the Cycle Analyst and a corresponding Android phone app to perform the display duties. The Cycle Analyst functionality could then be hidden on the bike which would make it less susceptible to theft or vandalism.

I'm envisioning a Grin BMS that integrates programmable BMS functionality with the Cycle analyst functionality and bluetooth communication in one unit. The integrated unit would then have wires to throttle and controller. Could use phone GPS for speed. This is a good use for an old phone that you no longer use.

Sounds like a fun project.

Warren

www.recumbents.com said:

OR

Jason could create a bluetooth version of the Cycle Analyst and a corresponding Android phone app to perform the display duties. The Cycle Analyst functionality could then be hidden on the bike which would make it less susceptible to theft or vandalism.

I'm envisioning a Grin BMS that integrates programmable BMS functionality with the Cycle analyst functionality and Bluetooth communication in one unit. The integrated unit would then have wires to throttle and controller. Could use phone GPS for speed. This is a good use for an old phone that you no longer use.

Sounds like a fun project.

Warren

Click to expand...

It's one approach to hope someone else will make what you want, or you can make what you want. I'm not trying to sell anyone on my approach, only offering to share it if someone wants to customize their bike computer the way they want. I don't know if Grin will implement a "virtual wheelie bar function" but I'd like one, so I put in the frame work. I'm not knocking Grin, I use their ferro fluid and have the utmost respect for what they have accomplished. I'm simply trying to make an open source, fully customizable, E-bike computer so anyone can have the features they want. If it ends up that it's just me that uses it, I'm OK with that. I'm enjoying the process.

As an aside, I have Serial, SPI, I2C and CAN and could get BMS data from compatible BMS's. I have had similar ideas for Bluetooth and the re-purposing of an old, or current, phone as a display through an app. I'm working on Bluetooth now. I don't love using a nextion display, so the app approach is appealing.

Metri - sorry I'm not knocking what you have done here. That looks like a great project.

www.recumbents.com said:

Metri - sorry I'm not knocking what you have done here. That looks like a great project.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I really appreciate the comment.

Meh. One year later. The website is no longer accessible, and the design files are on CircuitMaker which doesn't even allow signing up any more, so I can't even try to get the design files out.

Any pointers to projects that do a modern CA replacement (preferably with phone front-end) appreciated.

Unfortunately you are back to hoping they'll upgrade.

Dauntless said:

Any pointers to projects that do a modern CA replacement (preferably with phone front-end) appreciated.

Click to expand...

https://bikel.pl/en/mpe-computer-for-e-bike/



regards
stancecoke

Smurfix said:

Meh. One year later. The website is no longer accessible,

Click to expand...

Which website? I can open the links in the first post
http://makestuff4.fun/pyec/
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_7QcT4yk7M

and the links from the first link, like
https://github.com/makestuff4fun/pyEC ( which includes code and schematics, though it does say they are from 13 months ago)
appear to work.

and the design files are on CircuitMaker which doesn't even allow signing up any more,

Click to expand...

I was able to click the "sign up" link on the site, fill out the form, and get the "REGISTRATION Thanks for Joining the CircuitMaker Community! An email with your account activation details is on its way." message, which correctly sent the activation, which allowed me to sign in. I have not downloaded their program to access the files, as I wouldn't be building the system, but it does allow access.
https://workspace.circuitmaker.com/Projects/Details/BrianBarrett/pyEC#sectionDesignFiles


ONe common problem I've seen wiht various sites is taht if you are using a VPN you may be being blocked due to spammers and hackers often using VPNs and causing the IPs of VPNs to be blacklisted on various sites.

Alternately, perhaps they are region-restricted for some reason, and you are not within their allowable region. A VPN may allow you to access it anyway (if they haven't blacklisted them).

Thanks for the update, now it works. *Sigh* Apparently I need to dropkick my ISP.

Once upon a time Powervelocity offered exactly what you wanted. He had a Bluetooth module that accepted the same pin-outs as a CA2. But best of all, his iPhone app was a joy to use and look at. Sadly, he no longer sells the module, having focused entirely on next-gen controllers as of late. But I think he should re-introduce his unique BT module as clearly there is a market for something like that.

M