14 replies to this topic

[SELT]

Hello,

 

I'm just wondering if anyone can please recommend a ScanGauge alternative? I'm aware it's the best tool to use... but it's a bit too pricey CAD$ for me right now.

 

With hot summer days now here in Montreal, I'd really like to keep an eye on the HVB temp.

 

I'd like to use an iPhone app and OBD bluetooth device, if possible... or even an Android app.

 

Thanks for any recommendations.

Jr

[plus 3 golfer]

FORScan

[RickOzone]

To use the iPhone with an OBD scanner, it needs to be Wi-Fi. I was told that the Bluetooth scanners don’t connect properly to the Apple iPhone. To view the data Forscan is probably the best. To see the HVB temperature you will need to buy the paid version for $6.99 Cdn from the App store. Note, that when connected to the Wi-Fi scanner, the iPhone thinks it has an internet connection but it does not. SMS messages still work but Maps don’t update and web pages don’t load. To use those functions you either have to pull out the scanner or turn wifi off. You can buy the scanner for about $25 from Amazon. Also note that there are two OBD ports. The lower one is more convenient because it is not behind a plastic panel. If you plug the scanner into the upper port, then the panel will not close properly.

Attached Files

•  F3EA2109-FF70-415D-A9C0-9F7A1716598E.png   682.57KB   0 downloads

[SELT]

Thank you both!!!

FORScan notes: We recommend to obtain either original white-label adapters listed above (Scantool OBDLink, ELS27), or look for ELM327 marked as "Ford Mazda FORScan" etc compatible - these are usually "good" clones equipped with HS/MS CAN switch.

Any specific OBD scanner from Amazon.ca or eBay.ca?

Thanks again RickOzone & plus 3 golfer

[fotomoto]

I use both a ScanGuage II and phone/tablet apps.  Like you said, the SC II is more money but it has the HUGE benefit of being constantly connected and reporting plus it isn't "theft bait" so one doesn't have to worry about leaving it installed 24/7.   I read mine every time I drive, mainly for the battery SOC and battery TEMP, whereas the phone apps are for speciality things like reading/clearing codes, poking around, etc. so its really a MUCH better value.  

 

Another benefit, especially for the Energi, is it does shut down when the car is off unlike some wifi/bluetooth readers that sometimes hang and stay on.

[rbort]

I got my scangage used off of ebay, look for deals there you can usually get one for better than the new price.  

 

I use it to monitor the battery temperature, the battery fan speed, and the internal car temperature.  Lets me know to open the windows and freeze my butt up at night so the internal temp drops enough for the HVB fan to start up so it can cool down the battery.  If you leave the cabin warm the fan won't run, and your HVB temp will stay elevated unnecessarily.

 

SOC is only useful to me when the car is at home (you can see the charge level in MFT if needed while driving).  I can plug the car in, watch the SOC screen (SG comes on when you plug in the car), and unplug it when I reach a certain point.  I never charge my car up to 100% unless I know I need all of it, and let it sit at partial charge all the time.  See below its at 43% charge and I filled the gas tank the other day but haven't used the engine yet.  

 

-=>Raja.

Attached Files

•  resting charge.PNG   195.14KB   1 downloads

Edited by rbort, 01 June 2018 - 05:59 AM.

[plus 3 golfer]

Thank you both!!!

FORScan notes: We recommend to obtain either original white-label adapters listed above (Scantool OBDLink, ELS27), or look for ELM327 marked as "Ford Mazda FORScan" etc compatible - these are usually "good" clones equipped with HS/MS CAN switch.

Any specific OBD scanner from Amazon.ca or eBay.ca?

Thanks again RickOzone & plus 3 golfer

Read this. I have 3 adapters: an old clone elm327 wifi (for previous iphone), an old clone elm327 BT, and an OBDLink BX BT.  The old clones work but the ping times were between about 45-65 ms. Perhaps newer ones are faster.  It seemed that depending on the module being scanned and amount of data being scanned, the connecton was lost occasionally and Forscan would need to be restarted.  The ping time with the BX module is in the single digits.  The BX module automatically scans modules on the HS and MS CAN.  

 

Also, I have a suction RAM mount (Ram X-Grip with the larger suction cup and extension arm) for my phone that I place on the window which allows easy viewing of the data while driving.  IMO, much better than a scan gauge.  

 med_gallery_167_32_636424.jpg   36.92KB   0 downloads

 med_gallery_167_32_960525.jpg   32.11KB   0 downloads

[plus 3 golfer]

This is my old wifi adapter without the MS/HS switch. 

[RickOzone]

I use this one by Veepeak from Amazon.ca:  https://www.amazon.c...for iPhone iPad

 

or US site:  https://www.amazon.c...or iPhone&psc=1

Edited by RickOzone, 04 June 2018 - 06:08 PM.

[RickOzone]

Quick way to evaluate your battery capacity with FORScan:

 

Configure forscan to display "BAT_TO_EMPTY_ESTIM" in kWh and

 

"BATT_CHAR (SOC)" in % or H_BATT_CHAR in %

 

then calculate the kWh when the battery would be at 100% as follows:

 

BAT_TO_EMPTY_ESTIM / (SOC / 100)

 

Example:

 

BAT_TO_EMPTY_ESTIM = 1.718 kWh

 

SOC = 25.59%

 

then the BAT_TO_EMPTY @100% = 1.718 / (25.59 / 100) = 6.714 kWh

Assuming that a new battery capacity should be 7.6 kWh at 100% then my battery is 6.714 / 7.6 * 100 = 88.3% 

 

Therefore my battery capacity loss is 100% - 88.3% = 11.66%

 

Note that in the winter my 2013 vehicle would calculate to 6.4 kWh.

 

The best result so far that I got with this calculation is 7.1 kWh and that was with a warm battery of 37 C or 98.6 F

 

Note that the charger normally only charges the battery to 95 to 96%.

 

Rick

Attached Files

•  IMG_6805.PNG   571.45KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_6806.jpg   195.26KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_6807.jpg   183.89KB   0 downloads

Edited by RickOzone, 04 June 2018 - 06:27 PM.

[SELT]

Hi Rick,

Finally got myself the OBD wifi and Forscan Lite. But after connecting, I get the following message:

If PCM has a custom tune installed, please enter
strategy/calibraton name or part number of
FACTORY PCM (ex. 5L3A-12A650-AYH)

Any ideas?
Thanks
Jr

[RickOzone]

I have not come across any message like that.  There are several apps that work with the OBD WiFi scanner.  You could try another app like "CarScanner".  Also, you can download the free version of FORScan on windows to a laptop.  Then you can connect the laptop to the WiFi signal from the scanner.  Normally, the car needs to be on or charging to get the data to come through.  I found that I needed to buy the paid version of the app to get all the data that I wanted.

 

Regards

 

Rick

[plus 3 golfer]

Hi Rick,

Finally got myself the OBD wifi and Forscan Lite. But after connecting, I get the following message:

If PCM has a custom tune installed, please enter
strategy/calibraton name or part number of
FACTORY PCM (ex. 5L3A-12A650-AYH)

Any ideas?
Thanks
Jr

Go on the forscan forum and ask.  Their team should respond within a day.

[radiobrown]

i was going to use my MINI-VCI J2534 USB cable but i am guesing i need somthing else to use forscan.

my laptop has wifi/bluetooth so if i have to get a new cable/dongle i will get a wireless one. so i can use my phone as well.

 

 

i have a bluedriver one but that is limited on what can use it.

 

i have the scangauge... it doesnt do temps or much at all cant seem to take the codes so not sure what the problem is. it is about 12 years old so i guess there may be updates but i have to send it in and pay... i cant see why i cant do them myself.

[Komet]

I use an ultra gauge.