LeafDD - Dash Display for Leaf

[Stanton]

You could easily do something similar with the LeafDD, but I'm concerned about theft of ANY device that is readily visible from outside the car. It just so happens that the LeafDD was narrow enough to fit inside the steering wheel (and small in general).

[TomT]

Having already had my original Gid meter stolen, I was concerned about this. Where I mounted mine it actually is surprisingly non-visible from outside. It probably helps that my side windows are tinted... And it also helps that the display turns off when the car EV buss is inactive.

You could easily do something similar with the LeafDD, but I'm concerned about theft of ANY device that is readily visible from outside the car. It just so happens that the LeafDD was narrow enough to fit inside the steering wheel (and small in general).

[GregH]

Got my LeafDD today, and thought I'd post a pic of my (unique) installation. You know that plastic piece covering what would be the ignition "hole" on an ICE car? Well, it makes a great storage location for the LeafDD! If I really want to see/access it, I just let it dangle from the steering wheel...

Ha! I didn't even notice the hole there!
Thanks for the kind words Danny and Gary
A few other items.. The rectangular cut outs in the upper part of the enclosure are intended for future mounting or "hood/shade" options down the line. The bigger hole on the right side was for the programming dongle which in retrospect was unnecessary as the enclosure pops on and off (perhaps a little too easily) and it's unclear how easy it will be to reflash these in the field. I'll need to look at options for that if/when the need arises.
I'll have a few more units later this week but believe they are all spoken for. Unfortunately the OLED screens are backordered with the manufacturer and I don't anticipate getting more until mid/late July
The current design has a few known quirks which will not be an issue for the July shipments. Item 2 is only a potential issue on the units that have already shipped.
1. The enclosure, manufactured with an FDM 3D printer locally, is somewhat lower resolution than the white shapeways.com prototype I was first playing with. The little posts and hooks that hold the PCB in place are more fragile than expected.. Although I do kinda like the funky texture of the lo-res printing. Either way the posts will need to be strengthened and the hooks redesigned for the next batch to make it more robust. For the first wave of customers I recommend being careful with it and perhaps adding a drop of glue on the four hooks to help secure the PCB. Sorry about that.. We'll have more enclosures with the new design (any interest in black vs gray?) in July... And of course there's always shapeways.com if you don't mind white and would like to order your own for about $16.
2. The 20pin header between the OLED board and the main PCB was not soldered well on the first 10 units (despite much effort). It seems the OLED board is not really well through plated on the contact holes so pins with traces on the back of the OLED don't make a good connection. lame. From here on out we'll be using a different technique to allow proper solder flow on both sides of the OLED board to assure a good connection. All of the first round units were tested multiple times but some needed touch ups and they may not be as robust as I would have preferred. If your screen looks good then you don't have this problem! If you had the problem.. you'd know it... If so, please contact me and we'll figure out a way to resolve it.

[pchilds]

I mounted my GID meter in the sunglass holder.

[garygid]

How did you get the sunglass compartment to
stay open just partway? Thanks.

[pchilds]

How did you get the sunglass compartment to
stay open just partway? Thanks.

I put a screw in from the back.

[lion]

Received my unit as well, but haven't figured out yet how to mount it. The OBDII connector makes the cable point towards the pedal area (is this a 2013 thing?), which is somewhat of a waste/danger, but would like it either above the mirror or near the tiny window, similar to what TomT did (but looks like this might pinch the cable).

Greg has been extremely responsive helping me figure out some issues, so just need to figure out a spot.

[GregH]

I mounted my GID meter in the sunglass holder.

As my old partner at EnergyCS would have said "That's pretty disco!"

[TomT]

Actually, the one on mine does too and I find it to be an advantage. If it faces the opposite direction (toward the rear of the car), it is much messier... I was able to wrap it up very neatly and tie-wrap it out of the way. It's safe that way, out of harms way, invisible, and secure.

The OBDII connector makes the cable point towards the pedal area (is this a 2013 thing?), which is somewhat of a waste/danger

[lion]

I'll have to take another look at it, when I took a quick look at the layout, it looked like I might accidentally catch the cable with my feet.