Running Carman with affordable hardware
 

I've been researching ways for casual (non-pro mechanics) to get a cheap OBD interface for Carman. So far it looks bad. All-in-one OBD readers are as cheap as $30 USD, yet bringing your own device and simply buying an interface drives the price up to ~$180 USD :confused:

These devices are reported to be officially supported by Carman:

• ElmScan 5 w/ firefly bluetooth(expensive, but contains a genuine ELM327 chip)
• Car-Pal
• AGV4000
• OBDPros
• OBDKey (emulates the ELM327; potential 10% discount - discount may not work in the US)
• Blutrax (same as Car-Pal?)

All but the ElmScan 5 (the most expensive) have very few resellers (zero or one). I would like to know if anyone has successfully or unsuccessfully seen other BT OBD2 hardware work with Carman. I'm thinking anything with an ELM327 chip might work.

The next thought is building one. That also seems like a lousy deal. The ELM327 chip alone is 35 euros (just to be able to convert OBD to RS-232). Then converting RS-232 to BT seems to cost $90 USD (for a Firefly). So the price of a homebrew connector/cable is nearly as much as COTS hardware.

So it seems Carman is simply not a viable option for all but the most serious users (like pro mechanics).

Re: Running Carman with affordable hardware
 

This is a cable that I am using with my Lancer Evolution race car : http://www.tactrix.com/

I am inclined to believe that Carman can read OBD-II output from this cable if someone is able to provide specifications of the appropriate protocol.

The guys in the Aktivematrix forum (http://www.aktivematrix.com/) might be able to help on this count. From what I understand, these cables are generic ODB-II cables with an additional connector for accessing and editing the flash ROM portions of the ECU for tuning purposes.

Re: Running Carman with affordable hardware
 

I've seen numerous OBD-II tools on ebay selling for about $70 with bluetooth connectivity that are ELM327 and supposedly support all OBD-II protocols?

Does anyone know what it takes to add additional hardware to carman? Because if it's simply the protocols then I think the chips on ebay will work just fine.

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_npm...All-Categories

Re: Running Carman with affordable hardware
 

Well, RS-232 to USB is much cheaper; check jolouis's store... use a USB extender cable if you need more rope.

Re: Running Carman with affordable hardware
 

Think its possible to go from

1- ODB II -->
2- RS232 to USB -->
3- USB to tablet thru USB control in host mode (or would it be periphertal mode?)

USB to RS23 $20
Female to female USB adaptor - you should have one already - but if not about $5 on ebay.
ODB II $60 from scantool

Think its do-able? Could be brought in for under $90 and foregoing the bluetooth. Remember USB control was not around when carman was first rolled out.

Re: Running Carman with affordable hardware
 

It's host mode, not device, FWIW.

Definitely doable, from what I've seen. Though I'd buy (did buy) an adapter from jolouis's store, so it switches modes automatically and is more compact for other uses. (And combine shipping with your RS232-USB, and maybe a hub, ethernet adapter, etc.; he's got a bunch of stuff there.)

Re: Running Carman with affordable hardware
 

These seem relatively cheap for a BT version.

Re: Running Carman with affordable hardware
 

Did someone tries this one? They cost 35.50$ + shipping.

Re: Running Carman with affordable hardware
 

It's not a good deal. The catch is that there are ~42 USD in non-refundable shipping costs for an item that probably costs ~5 USD to ship. That's a significant loss if the item is doa.

Re: Running Carman with affordable hardware
 

Ok Ok, so, let's reduce the risk with this one :) :
Bluetooth ELM327 CAN BUS OBD II wireless Elm 327 OBD2

Actually, shipping is refundable BUT we pay for return shipping. So, as you said, perhaps it is only 5$, no?:
"1. Item exchange and full refund are guaranteed if the item is returned within 30 days after item(s) delivered and buyer pays for the return shipping.
2. If item is damaged obviously when delivering, please do not accept it and return it to courier."

So, if someone tested this one, please give us some review.
Thanks.