The Cruft Of My Brain » Cobra Build

RN-XV, Arduino and funny characters

scott — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:38:36 +0000

No, I’m not talking about myself. I’ve embarked on an ambitious project that is sure to never get completed. On my way there I’m working on getting an RN-XV “cheap” WiFi adapter talking to an Arduino. I’ve had all kinds of issues getting it connected and it all comes down to spaces.

I’ll have more detail later about what I’m trying to do but, my immediate issue boiled down to my use of $ in my passphrase. The RN-XV and actually the RN-171 it’s based on has a nice feature of escaping spaces in SSIDs and passphrases with a $ by default. This took some digging to find out but once I did I was able to change it.

Connect to the RN-XV from your console. I used the Adafruit XBee adapter kit through a com port on my PC. Do $$$ to get into CMD mode. From there you can do a couple of things. For my purposes I needed to do the following:

<2.30> get opt replace
JoinTmr=1000
Replace=0×26
DeviceId=WiFly-EZX
Password=
Format=0×0
Signal=0
Average=5

You can see I’ve already changed it here but the default would be Replace=0×24 which is $ in ascii. To change it:

set opt replace 0×26

Then don’t forget to “save” or it’ll revert to the wrong character. You can also check the saved WLAN settings with “get wlan”.

Now that I have it successfully connecting, getting it to do something might be a little more of a challenge. I’m trying to work with this library but it’s proving to be a challenge. More here as I figure that out.

My first Cobra run down the street…

scott — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:37:32 +0000

From some like 2 years ago! Steve’s been asking for video so I thought I’d put something up and see if youtube embedding works…so…

">First Cobra Drive

Better quality version

Cobra update

scott — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:40:21 +0000

Just in case anyone’s curious, no, I’ve not completely abandoned the Cobra build. The dash is in mid-build. I’ve just be…pre-occupied.

It’ll get done, just don’t know when.

Cobra folks

Scott — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 15:15:21 +0000

I just discovered that I’m #1 for “cobra build” on Google. Wow! Except it’s for the old site. The one I haven’t updated in years. So, I’ve put in a redirect to the blog here and just to the Cobra related posts. Please feel free to look around at the rest though.

And yes, more Cobra related posts coming soon. I haven’t spent much time at all on the Cobra lately but I’m hoping to be able to get back to the dash soon. Can’t wait to see those gauges move!

The energizer bunny…

Scott — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 15:11:38 +0000

…should be the only electric rabbit.

I like to keep up with the goings on in the DIY electric car world. Some day I hope to build one. I’m waiting on a couple of things first though. Mostly just trying to get through the multitudes of projects I’ve taken on at home but also so I stop spending money on those same projects. The other thing is the hope of an Ultra-Cap from someone like EEStor.

In the meantime I read and try to understand the mechanics of motors, controllers and batteries. There are pretty good strides being made in the power and longevity of modern EV systems.

Here’s the problem I see with the state of things. The Electrified Rabbit. Or Jetta. Or CRX. Or insert any other non-sexy 20 year old beater. If you can think of a car like that I can guarantee someone has done an EV conversion for it. What’s so difficult about picking an exciting car? Something that stirs the imagination and fires the senses. I know there area few of them out there. The FFR Daytona EV conversion is a good example of a cool way to do and EV. But I’m so sick of seeing cars that shouldn’t be on the road to begin with being elevated to something special just because they have a bunch of batteries.

Really guys! Make it sexy!

Depressing moment

Scott — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:58:33 +0000

On the way into work this morning I had the thought that maybe it’s come time to sell the Cobra, or what there is of it. Staring at it every time I walk through the garage is a little bit of torture. Seeing the empty body shell peaking it’s nose out the main garage door every time it’s open doesn’t help either.

I’m sure I won’t do anything except continue to find 8 hours every 6 months to work on it. Selling it at this point would be giving up and that would be worse than having to look at it unfinished.

I know it’s been a long journey and at times I’m not sure I’m even half way through it. Just need to find my way through it. There have been some low moments through the build but this one might be the lowest. For a moment I really considered it.

The busy time

Scott — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 14:12:00 +0000

We’re just about into that period where everything starts to get really crazy for the holidays. I don’t really enjoy it so much. It’s more a matter of trying to get through it without losing my mind. Many parties to look forward to, gifts to buy, house to prepare.

That’s at least a little of what I’ve been busy with the last few weeks. Trying to make it through a number of house projects. Finishing Belle’s room with some wainscotting, adding some molding to the dining room, various outside projects. It’ll be nice when these things are done and we can work on some other things. Like the Cobra, the garage (electric and insulation), possibly a back patio. The list just seems to grow. Somehow I really want to drive the Cobra next year. My tolerance for looking at it unfinished has just about expired.

I did get a new car. Ya hoo! Went and bought myself an Audi A3 with the DSG transmission. I haven’t sold the M3 yet, which is going to be a project all itself. I’ll try to post a review of the A3 after I’ve driven it for a few weeks. I’m very seriously considering autox’ing it in Decemeber if the CDC event doesn’t get cancelled.

Dashing my hopes

Scott — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 12:30:56 +0000

I was fortunate enough to be able to take the last week off from work. Didn’t go anywhere and the kids were still in school. But, I did have some time to work on the Cobra. In a nutshell I got all of the wiring in wire loom and routed where it’ll go in the car. The rear harness is clamped in place but I ran out of clamps so the front is only hanging there. Got more clamps but didn’t get back to that. I spent the rest of the time working on the dash. I went through cutting down most of the old dash wires to bus blocks I put on the firewall. Then I began cutting the holes in the dash. I got Stewart Warner gauges from Breeze so the holes aren’t the same size as the standard dash. I just about have all of the holes cut. The only ones remaining are for some of the switches. I still haven’t decided on how I want to handle the headlights. I might do a pull and turn type knob but I might just use a toggle switch. Can’t cut the last hole until I decide and I can’t mount the gauges and start wiring them until I drill all of the holes. It’s a vicious cycle.

I’ll post pictures sometime in the next week or so.

I’ve decided I have another problem that needs fixing. The garage gets too damn cold. When the wind blows it pushs the doors in to the point you can see quite a bit of sunlight coming in around the side. I’m not really sure how to fix that since there’s already weather stripping on the outside of the door that’s supposed to be stopping that. Add another item to the to-do list.

Still, it was nice to see some progress. I see some light at the end of the tunnel and when the wiring is done I’ll feel better about making progress. It’ll be back to mechanical stuff and things like e-brakes and loose ball joints.

The Rocket!

scott — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 16:04:02 +0000

Chillin out reading my copy of Ultimate Garages today I came across a car in Jay Leno’s garage. A little red thing that kind of looked like an older F1 car but had modern gear. Unfortunately there’s no mention of what it is in the book! A little digging and I present you with the LCC Rocket. A limited production car from the early 90′s. I don’t love it’s lines, the driver bubble on top doesn’t feel right to me, but I still like the concept of it. I think I’m getting more and more in love with little lightweight cars like this. Something about the idea of high horsepower to weight ratios and racing suspensions. The DP1 and Kimini are two ground up builds of small, light cars that have caught my attention. I’m sure the Cobra will have a similar feel, once it’s done.

Reading the signals – part 2

scott — Mon, 08 May 2006 03:28:27 +0000

Well, that was quick! The hazard flasher does work perfectly. I’ve updated the diagram to reflect the new design.

I just had the thought that I’ll probably be able to elminate some more cable by running the wires coming from the switches through the bus bar as well. I’ll save that for the final dash positioning though. No need to go hacking up wires when I’m not sure exactly what I’ll need. It’s always easier to take them out than it is to put them back in! I also had the thought that I might be able to use one of the female ends of the spade lugs I’ve been using for the lights. They might fit over the spades coming off the switches very nicely.

This small thing is another significant step. I need to think about this over night but I’m pretty sure I’m done with the rear harness now. I think I can start grooming it and tying it down. After I’ve done that I can install the trunk aluminum. Still a lot to do but it’s an important milestone that opens up other tasks for completion. One thing I need to remember to mention to Angie…a 3 link would go in a lot easier without the trunk aluminum installed. Reading this hon?