- you have to pronounce 'spec-i-a-list' with four syllables, though.

Home Service is only available to BBC listeners in the UK, who happen to be stuck in a time-warp.

The picture *is* actually one of my other projects; a computer without a computer in it. Terribly *terribly* geekish, but there are only about three dozen people in the world who've developed a computer from scratch and now I'm one of 'em.

Coming to an electronics mag near you, if I can persuade the editors to my cause.

Looks like ill be getting all my other stocked goodies out to play then, pda and bluetooth etc. Oh can a guy ever get enough toys??

Temperature dropping
Warning lights on dash are red
Thermostat Failure

This is fun

Hummingbird behind
Like a bee while you proceed
change your wheel-bearing

Red light on the dash,
Winter's ice below your wheels:
No more ABS...

Migrating whales swim;
Remind me to check my oil -
Any synth will do.

Oi! Stop haiku writing
Building wigdets is April's aim
Many customers are waiting.

Too many syllables - you lose!

<ahem>

When plum trees blossom,
Bulgaria delivers;
Widgets soon appear.

Wot's a syllabub got to do with it

It has champagne in it. You complaining?

Hic! Nope!

Off topic perhaps?

Please sir, it was Stan sir, it was all right until he got drunk sir...

Folks - this is *not* yet an ordering option, but I need some help to decide about how to mount the widget.

The board and display is approximately 75mm by 45mm by 20mm deep (depending how it's mounted) and is attached to whatever it will be attached to using four 3mm bolts through the front panel.

My preferred option for delivery is on a carbon fibre plate which will drop straight into the right hand driver's air vent, as the existing stainless steel versions do.

Alternatively, and slightly cheaper, if you want to mount it yourself somewhere else, I can provide the bare board (and some mounting hardware) so you can provide your own enclosure or panel.

My least favourite option - more expensive, a lot more work, and potentially the least good-looking - is to provide it in a plastic or metal box. Warning: this is going to cost more - probably on the order of fifteen or twenty quid - because of the extra work involved and the cost of the box. Also, I can't confirm which box I'd use yet, until I've got the protos knocked up and tried them in various boxes - but the two I have my eye on are:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=N82AL&DOY=3m4 (I like the look of this best, but it's hardest to mount, to work, and the most expensive)

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=N69AL&DOY=3m4 (also available in translucent blue) which is bigger and not so elegant.

I'd appreciate if people interested would indicate which of the options they'd prefer using the poll. This does not tie you to your choice nor form an order (in fact, I can't tell who votes what) but it will let me see where I should be expending my effort and give me some idea about proportions.

Thanks,

Neil

Which mounting option? single choice
	Bare unit, no mounting
	Carbon fibre plate for right-hand vent (can be modified to fit left-hand vent)
	A small box of some flavour or description
Votes accepted starting: 03/04/2008 13:32
View Results

Yay - the first to vote!

First post - yay!

1. Put me down on the waiting list for one of these.

2. Does this widget also present a USB socket for direct access to the ECU like the micro-widget?

3. Do you make/stock/supply the micro widget still?

Cheers.

@Mr_bali - the waiting list doesn't exist yet; see the posts above - but it shouldn't be long now as I've just constructed the first proto on the final circuit board (though as the displays I was promised today haven't arrived, it's just a very expensive red LED flasher at the moment )

This widget has a USB socket but not for direct access - it massages the data and you'd have to manage/display the data yourself. It's useful to read the raw error data, and of course to change the system display parameters.

The micro-widget is taking something of a back seat at the moment till I get the Mk IV sorted; there's a lot of effort involved. I may be able to knock a couple up but at the moment I don't have all the parts it needs.

Thought id let you know i opted for option C however i like the sound of option B. The reason me going for this is how much i love the heater in the winter

Hi Neil

I've opted for option B by the way. Is there gonna be any spare space on the carbon bit. As you know I have a temp display plus buttons (ones available from maplins) which is currently mounted in a box, and I'm interested in maybe fitting it into the carbon display too.

Cheers
Chris

There's some space available on the left of the display, where it's obscure (for me) by the steering wheel, but I doubt you'll fit one of those maplin temperature displays as well.

Okay okay shoot me I have to ask.

I understand what the widget is but what the micro widget star treky thing.

I know I know.

I've let myself down the team down and the forum down

http://www.nailed-barnacle.co.uk/coupe/startrek/startrek.html

Go on, put my page count up

Teaser - first proto on final board. The display fastens on behind, and is the same size.

http://www.avrfreaks.net/modules/PNphpBB2/files/sp4040044_703.jpg

Stans in love (don't worry Theresa he no doubt still has eyes for you)

Very nice Neil

Latest update: I have a sensible quote for the face plates, so I've ordered a heap of them I am so doomed if you guys decide you don't want any!) and should have the test piece to try on the proto later this week, with luck.

I'm still not taking orders, but the prices will be (including postage to the UK and Europe):

Bare unit, £120
Unit with carbon-fibre plate, £130

I'm still waiting for costs and possibilities about the boxed units; I'm talking to a man with a big fccuk-off laser but we don't yet know if it's possible.

At the moment I have a pile of circuit boards, and order for a pile of face plates, and a big hole in my bank account, so start saving

Expect the sale to open formally in about a fortnight.

Neil

I'm sure people will pay without resorting to that Neil!

Does he have a shark he can attach the laser to as well ?