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Running Tesla Model 3's computer on my desk using parts from crashed cars

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Re: Running Tesla Model 3's computer on my desk using parts from crashed cars

#81

Post by mschuster91 »

kube-system wrote: post #13

> Turns out that actual cars don’t have individual cables. Instead they have these big “looms”, which bundle many cables from a nearby area into a single harness. This is the reason why I could not find the individual cable earlier. They simply don’t manufacture it. I was really surprised to read this at the end of the article -- how could someone be this deep into a project of this depth and not realize this?! Not o…

> I was really surprised to read this at the end of the article -- how could someone be this deep into a project of this depth and not realize this?!

Usually, for most other vehicles, the connectors are either standardized (e.g. radios, ISO 10487 [1], high-current chargers by VG 96917) or the foundation plugs, sockets and re-pinning tools are readily available by the vehicle manufacturer or by aftermarket suppliers.

Tesla truly went out of their way to make the life of third parties (such as wire harness repair shops) more miserable here.

[1] https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_10487

Re: Running Tesla Model 3's computer on my desk using parts from crashed cars

#82

Post by acuozzo »

longislandguido wrote: post #58
kube-system wrote: post #13

> Turns out that actual cars don’t have individual cables. Instead they have these big “looms”, which bundle many cables from a nearby area into a single harness. This is the reason why I could not find the individual cable earlier. They simply don’t manufacture it. I was really surprised to read this at the end of the article -- how could someone be this deep into a project of this depth and not realize this?! Not o…

Software people tend to overestimate their knowledge of other disciplines, writing it off as "easy" or work beneath them. Being overpaid compared to your peers certainly doesn't help dispel this feeling. Some people have built entire careers around designing wire looms.

> Software people tend to overestimate their knowledge of other disciplines, writing it off as "easy" or work beneath them

You should see what happens when someone involved in the sciences, e.g. Chemistry, gets their hands on Claude Code.

Re: Running Tesla Model 3's computer on my desk using parts from crashed cars

#83

Post by a-dub »

sneakymichael wrote: post #67
a-dub wrote: post #35

i wish the ui on those things was more visually appealing. between the cheap looking gloss finish on the display itself and the unextraordinary ui, it's just kinda blah. one can have a debate about to screen or not to screen or whether to use vfd displays or whatever and i get the importance of cost control but it should look good and it really doesn't. the graphic of the car looks like a cartoon.

Interesting take–– I feel the total opposite; I love the UI.

i think a lot of people do. i don't know what it is, there's maybe just something about the car graphic that doesn't sit right with me. the front/side view when parked just seems cheesy for some reason. maybe because it's meant to show unclosed doors or something and when everything is set the car's status is car which is redundant.

Re: Running Tesla Model 3's computer on my desk using parts from crashed cars

#84

Post by juleiie »

acuozzo wrote: post #82
longislandguido wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Software people tend to overestimate their knowledge of other disciplines, writing it off as "easy" or work beneath them. Being overpaid compared to your peers certainly doesn't help dispel this feeling. Some people have built entire careers around designing wire looms.

> Software people tend to overestimate their knowledge of other disciplines, writing it off as "easy" or work beneath them You should see what happens when someone involved in the sciences, e.g. Chemistry, gets their hands on Claude Code.

What happens?

Re: Running Tesla Model 3's computer on my desk using parts from crashed cars

#85

Post by kube-system »

msisk6 wrote: post #66
kube-system wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The passenger side kick panel or behind the glove box are two very common places for vehicle computers -- some cars have them under the hood, which I always thought was a bad idea.

My RAM truck with the Cummins diesel engine has the engine computer mounted on the engine block. You'd think the heat and exposure to the elements would make that a bad idea, but I suppose Cummins knows what they're doing.

Hehe I was thinking about FCA/Stellantis vehicles when I wrote that. I know it works and there are components made to work in that environment but it always felt intuitively wrong to me. Especially when the other side of the firewall is a much better environment and not far away

Re: Running Tesla Model 3's computer on my desk using parts from crashed cars

#87

Post by yearolinuxdsktp »

msisk6 wrote: post #66
kube-system wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The passenger side kick panel or behind the glove box are two very common places for vehicle computers -- some cars have them under the hood, which I always thought was a bad idea.

My RAM truck with the Cummins diesel engine has the engine computer mounted on the engine block. You'd think the heat and exposure to the elements would make that a bad idea, but I suppose Cummins knows what they're doing.

Yes they do. They can tolerate engine bay heat, but not exhaust heat. They are usually shielded from getting soaked.

Some Mazdas put the metal-cased engine computer in a plastic air box that feeds cold air from the front, to help ensure the engine computer stays cool enough.

In general, I believe the cooling airflow from the frontal air and the cooling fans keeps engine bay in check.

For example, this is the board that’s used in Mazda CX-5 2017+ engine computers (mfr Denso), it lists max temperature range of +150C: https://www.renesas.com/en/document/mah/rh850e1l-users-manua...

Re: Running Tesla Model 3's computer on my desk using parts from crashed cars

#88

Post by denysvitali »

a1o wrote: post #48

> A DC power supply capable of providing 12V Hey, I just remembered my school used to have ages ago some cool power supplies (I think from Agilent?) that were very idiot proof, they had current limit with a dial that I think didn’t went over 1A or perhaps even less, and they would instantly disarm on short circuit (and indicate it with a led), and also the voltage dial I think wouldn’t go over 25V. I remember it was…

Got this for ~50$ a while ago. It works perfectly for this exact setup (Tesla MCU on a bench), tested it, and used it for a lot of other projects.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EvT5Kog

Re: Running Tesla Model 3's computer on my desk using parts from crashed cars

#90

Post by yearolinuxdsktp »

kube-system wrote: post #85
msisk6 wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My RAM truck with the Cummins diesel engine has the engine computer mounted on the engine block. You'd think the heat and exposure to the elements would make that a bad idea, but I suppose Cummins knows what they're doing.

Hehe I was thinking about FCA/Stellantis vehicles when I wrote that. I know it works and there are components made to work in that environment but it always felt intuitively wrong to me. Especially when the other side of the firewall is a much better environment and not far away

It’s because when placed inside the engine bay, the large wiring harness is shorter, which is not only cheaper, but also shorter wiring helps with the consistency of electrical timing and reduces noise.
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