Astra AH - Displaying trip computer info on android tablet. Possible?

[astra088]

Hi everyone,

I am thinking about getting an android tablet to fit in my astra where the engine info/fuel consumption screen is right now... and I am wondering if there is any way to get that info via a USB port onto the tablet? i have the android sdk so i could write a small app to display the info, but i just need to know if that's possible... or am i crazy?

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[guy 27]

Think the app torque has what your after.

You will a Bluetooth obd2 port which is about $15 off eBay.

[astra088]

Think the app torque has what your after.

You will a Bluetooth obd2 port which is about $15 off eBay.

Hey, thanks for the quick reply!

That looks awesome... and wireless too, which is a big bonus!
I was kinda hoping that I could still keep the music info screen as well... if it can't be done, doesn't matter. Can all the range/fuel consumption/outside temp/trip km etc. stuff be sent through the obd2 port?

[nick_sixx]

Pretty much all diagnostics can be displayed using the torque app. I've used it for boost/vacuum, engine temp (although I don't think it was accurate at all), RPM, speed, and I think you can even set it up to display how much HP and Torque you are currently using, as well as fuel consumption etc

[astra088]

Pretty much all diagnostics can be displayed using the torque app. I've used it for boost/vacuum, engine temp (although I don't think it was accurate at all), RPM, speed, and I think you can even set it up to display how much HP and Torque you are currently using, as well as fuel consumption etc

and where do you connect this obd2 bluetooth dongle thing?

[sooty]

and where do you connect this obd2 bluetooth dongle thing?

under the handbrake in the OBD2 port

[astra088]

under the handbrake in the OBD2 port

Cool. So just to confirm... this will have the ability to display EVERYTHING the oem system info screen shows in the astra? So exciting! Thinking about a asus 10" tablet... not sure how i'll go with fitting it in the astra's dash though. I'll have to cut some around the current screen, i know that much... hopefully it will all be worth it! GPS, music, trip computer... hopefully 3G too

[nick_sixx]

Sounds like a good plan mate. However, the obd dongle constantly draws power. So unless you have a huge battery or drive every couple of hours, you will have to unplug it every time you turn the car off. Also, I don't know about the g, but in an h it sticks out and you can't put the plastic trim back on. If you are handy with electronics and have the patience, you could splice a second obd port into the existing wiring complete with a switch (if it has like 10 terminals). I personally couldn't be bothered though.

[astra088]

hmmm.. that could pose a problem. what connection actually connects the screen to the car's computer? could I make some sort of adapter to connect it to a usb port?

[nick_sixx]

There would just be a series of cables that relay info from the obd to the screen. I highly doubt there is any way to convert that to a format readable by a tablet of any OS.