# Using an arduino as the signal/data-source towards the realdash-app - links to get started **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [June 4, 2023, 5:24am UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135 "2023-06-04T05:24:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StefanL38](https://forum.realdash.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@StefanL38](https://forum.realdash.net/u/StefanL38)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2023, 5:24am UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/1 "2023-06-04T05:24:40Z")
Hello, I’m a somehow experienced microcontroller- and PC-programmer which has written a lot of code for controlling industrial machines including data-exchange on varios standards like PMON, MES, Sicalis etc. I have quite some experience in programming Delphi / Pascal, C++ and some experience in programming with python. I have a **basic** knowledge about html and xml. I have looked around the realdash website for half an hour trying to find a REAL getting started tutorial The mainpages claims ![image](https://forum.realdash.net/uploads/default/original/1X/76c4778fdf91f692b1a2bd2938c7c9b0167bf8cc.png) Yes might be. But you seem to keep it a secret. I was unable to find really helpful information on how to use an arduino to create realdash-compatible signals/data. In my project I **DON’T** have an OBD2 interface and NO can-bus. This means the arduino will act as the raw-signal/data-provider towards realdash. I would be very thankful if somebody could post links that provides this kind of information. best regards Stefan P.M. I want to emphasize: I **did** look through the main links and the basic explanations that are given on the realdash-website. Maybe my picture of what realdash is and how it works is wrong. If this is the case the creators of the website should take my comment as a feedback that much more **introductional** information is needed to make new users **feel welcomed**. ---
**Author:** ![realdashdev](https://forum.realdash.net/user_avatar/forum.realdash.net/realdashdev/32/6_2.png) [@realdashdev](https://forum.realdash.net/u/realdashdev)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2023, 6:02am UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/2 "2023-06-05T06:02:46Z")
No need to be cheeky on your question, we do not keep secrets. Lets start by what is it you are trying to achieve with RealDash? If you want to send data from your custom Arduino device, its not really that difficult. - Read the ‘RealDash CAN’ communication protocol: - [RealDash-extras/realdash-can-protocol.md at master · janimm/RealDash-extras · GitHub](https://github.com/janimm/RealDash-extras/blob/master/RealDash-CAN/realdash-can-protocol.md) RealDash CAN is an open protocol that allows you to communicate between your device and RealDash. It is named ‘CAN’ as its designed to easily transmit CAN data from device to RealDash, but it can as well be used without actual CAN bus. I recommend that you take that as an opportunity to learn what CAN actually is and how its data is interpreted. - Upload the Arduino example to your device: - [RealDash-extras/RealDash-CAN/Arduino-examples at master · janimm/RealDash-extras · GitHub](https://github.com/janimm/RealDash-extras/tree/master/RealDash-CAN/Arduino-examples) Right out of the box the example will start sending RealDash CAN frames from Arduino to RealDash. Tweak the code, change the values and see them change in RealDash to get familiar with it. If you feel like RealDash CAN is too complicated for you, there are many other (one way) protocols that RealDash supports. You can try TunerStudio compatible connection (Megasquirt, rusEFI, Speeduino), AIM 4-byte stream as EcuMaster connection, and many more. To my opinion, they are not any easier to get started, but at least you have options. ---
**Author:** ![Daniel\_Gotz](https://forum.realdash.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@Daniel\_Gotz](https://forum.realdash.net/u/Daniel_Gotz)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 11:19pm UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/3 "2023-06-06T23:19:58Z")
Hello. I want to ask for your help with a doubt… I will use realdash with arduino and I have an old car without OBD or Can bus. How realdash understands for example the signal of battery from arduino? Because I Can´t put 12v on the arduino ports, I need to convert the 12v to 5v with a device. How realdash understands if my battery is with 11v or 12v or 14v? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Daniel\_Gotz](https://forum.realdash.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@Daniel\_Gotz](https://forum.realdash.net/u/Daniel_Gotz)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 11:24pm UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/4 "2023-06-06T23:24:24Z")
Another question… About Speed. I’m going to use my VSS speed sensor on the arduino. This sensor sends pulses as information. Do I need to convert these pulses to km/h for Realdash to understand? ---
**Author:** ![realdashdev](https://forum.realdash.net/user_avatar/forum.realdash.net/realdashdev/32/6_2.png) [@realdashdev](https://forum.realdash.net/u/realdashdev)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 6:30am UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/5 "2023-06-07T06:30:57Z")
RealDash is a data display app. So basically it just shows the data as it is sent to it over serial/Bluetooth/IP. While you can apply math formula into incoming data, there is no other way that RealDash attempts to ‘understand’ the incoming data. True, you will need a 12V power handling solution to use Arduino in automotive. That needs to include some way to tell the current voltage to your Arduino that will interpret the data and send the actual voltage to RealDash. With VR/Hall sensors, your Arduino device calculates the pulses and you can send the pulses per second to RealDash, which can use the conversion math to convert the pulses to speed. ---
**Author:** ![StefanL38](https://forum.realdash.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@StefanL38](https://forum.realdash.net/u/StefanL38)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 11:49am UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/6 "2023-06-07T11:49:33Z")
> [@Daniel\_Gotz](#): > > the signal of battery from arduino what do you mean by writing that? A battery has no “signal” Do you mean measuring the **voltage** of your 12V-battery? So what **exact** things shall your realdash-display show? If you are not familiar with electronics you should at least describe what the display shall show examples not related to you just explaining the principle: coolant-temperature in °C how much fuel is left in the tank in Liter etc. Converting 12V to 5V requires a small electronic which is called a voltage-divider If you are not familiar with electronics you should search for somebody living near to you that has knowledge about electronics. best regards Stefan ---
**Author:** ![Daniel\_Gotz](https://forum.realdash.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@Daniel\_Gotz](https://forum.realdash.net/u/Daniel_Gotz)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 1:35pm UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/7 "2023-06-07T13:35:37Z")
Hello. Yes, I want Realdash to show my battery voltage, coolant temperature in °C, and how much fuel is left in the tank in Liter. My question is, with Arduino I´m just reading a signal from 5v ports, do I need to convert this signal to Liters, temperature, etc. How Realdash understands for example that a signal from digital port 2 is 2 liters or 30°C if I just receive a signal with voltage? ---
**Author:** ![StefanL38](https://forum.realdash.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@StefanL38](https://forum.realdash.net/u/StefanL38)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 1:51pm UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/8 "2023-06-07T13:51:46Z")
> [@Daniel\_Gotz](#): > > My question is, with Arduino I´m just reading a signal from 5v ports, do I need to convert this signal to Liters, temperature, etc. Depending on the nature of each signal - voltage and how much, or - current and how much, or resistance and how much very different interface electronic is needed to “feed-in” the measuring-signal into an arduino. Your imagination of how this works seems to be tooo simple. It is not as simple as connect your smartphone to a computer and pictures on the smartphone were copied almost automatically. It is **more** and you should either - have somebody living near you who has knowledge about electronics or you have to learn the basics of electronics and programming. What sensor type does measure the coolant temperature? is it a PT100, or a PT1000?, or a NTC? if yes which type? or a PTC which type? directly connected to the analog instrument? Or is there some interface-electronic inbetween? If yes what interfacetype is it? 4-20 mA? or 0-10V, PWM? PPT? I think you now do understand why more modern cars do have a standardised interface which in cars is the OBD2-interface. A lot of detail questions must be answered befor you can even choose the additional electronic parts that are needed to make it work. It is all doable but it requires knowledge. Knowledge about electronics and knowledge about programming. I guess you should re-consider buying ready to use parts instead of developing them yourself. best regards Stefan ---
**Author:** ![Daniel\_Gotz](https://forum.realdash.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@Daniel\_Gotz](https://forum.realdash.net/u/Daniel_Gotz)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 4:21pm UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/9 "2023-06-07T16:21:06Z")
I just want to know how realdash interprets the information that comes from the arduino, if I need to convert the signal I’m getting from my car or if it interprets the signal directly, without conversions. I’m going to use everything I already have from the car, I simply want to remove my current panel that already shows this information like RPM, speed, tank level etc to put realdash with the arduino, an lcd screen and the Khadas vm1 boards that will be installed realdash and will communicate with arduino. My car is old, does not have Can bus or OBD2. ---
**Author:** ![realdashdev](https://forum.realdash.net/user_avatar/forum.realdash.net/realdashdev/32/6_2.png) [@realdashdev](https://forum.realdash.net/u/realdashdev)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2023, 5:48am UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/10 "2023-06-08T05:48:37Z")
Main thing is; By default RealDash does not interpret the data in any way, it just shows what it receives. It is possible to add math calculations to the incoming data with XML file, but that’s pretty much it. ---
**Author:** ![StefanL38](https://forum.realdash.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@StefanL38](https://forum.realdash.net/u/StefanL38)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2023, 9:45am UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/11 "2023-06-08T09:45:51Z")
> [@Daniel\_Gotz](#): > > I just want to know how realdash interprets the information that comes from the arduino, if I need to convert the signal I’m getting from my car or if it interprets the signal directly, without conversions. I’m going to use everything I already have from the car, I simply want to remove my current panel that already shows this information like RPM, speed, tank level etc to put realdash with the arduino, an lcd screen and the Khadas vm1 boards that will be installed realdash and will communicate with arduino You seem to expect that it works this way: remove “current panel” (whatever this is) connect arduino with the wires that were formely connected to your “current panel” connect the arduino, the new LCD and the “Khadas vm1 boards” (whatever this is) supply arduino, LCD and Khadas vm1-boards with power and it will work. NO it will not work. Again **depedending** on ## what kind of signal the - rpm-“wire” - speed-“wire” - tank-level-“wire” - etc. are delivering ## different interface-electronic is needed to make the arduino “ **understand** ” the signals This requires a ## customised to your situation written arduino-code which then can be written in a way that realdash can use the data for straight forward displaying this data. All eventual conversions will be made inside the arduino-code As an easy to understand picture You seem to expect your rpm-sensor, speed-sensor. tank-level-sensor all speak english the arduino speaks english, realdash speaks english rpm-sensor-----english---------arduino---------english------realdash the the real situation is rpm-sensor-----spain----translator-----arduino---------english-realdash-dialect------realdash speed-sensor-----italian—translator-------arduino---------english-realdash-dialect------realdash tank-level-sensor-----arabic----translator-------arduino---------english-realdash-dialect------realdash and it is even more unclear. You **haven’t** even specified **what** languages the sensors speak! The real situation is rpm-sensor-----unknown language—unable to specify what kind of translator------arduino---------english-realdash-dialect------realdash speed-sensor-----unknown language—unable to specify what kind of translator------arduino---------english-realdash-dialect------realdash tank-level-sensor-----unknown language—unable to specify what kind of translator------arduino---------english-realdash-dialect------realdash best regards Stefan ---
**Author:** ![realdashdev](https://forum.realdash.net/user_avatar/forum.realdash.net/realdashdev/32/6_2.png) [@realdashdev](https://forum.realdash.net/u/realdashdev)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2023, 11:32am UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/12 "2023-06-08T11:32:37Z")
Man, you are a bit rough on that poor guy, but that is a proper reality check. ---
**Author:** ![Daniel\_Gotz](https://forum.realdash.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@Daniel\_Gotz](https://forum.realdash.net/u/Daniel_Gotz)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2023, 11:21pm UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/13 "2023-06-08T23:21:50Z")
Thanks! Best regards ---
**Author:** ![boydsta](https://forum.realdash.net/user_avatar/forum.realdash.net/boydsta/32/1013_2.png) [@boydsta](https://forum.realdash.net/u/boydsta)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 10:46am UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/14 "2024-04-21T10:46:16Z")
im just looking at writing some canbus messages from an arduino to realdash and not understanding the code to send Canbus messages, specificly the 4 byte identifier ? this does not appear to be a normal canbus frame structure. I am also after an example XML file for the Nissan Leaf. ---
**Author:** ![realdashdev](https://forum.realdash.net/user_avatar/forum.realdash.net/realdashdev/32/6_2.png) [@realdashdev](https://forum.realdash.net/u/realdashdev)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2024, 5:40am UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/15 "2024-04-22T05:40:38Z")
> [@boydsta](#): > > specificly the 4 byte identifier The 4 byte start identifier is required for two reasons. 1. It allows connection to ‘catch-up’ on ongoing data stream and find the starting point of the frames. 2. It identifies the frame type and possible extensions, like text string extension. ---
**Author:** ![Valter](https://forum.realdash.net/user_avatar/forum.realdash.net/valter/32/1879_2.png) [@Valter](https://forum.realdash.net/u/Valter)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2024, 6:01am UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/16 "2024-08-07T06:01:50Z")
where is the .XML file for this Real dash Can connection - [RealDash-extras/RealDash-CAN/Arduino-examples at master · janimm/RealDash-extras · GitHub](https://github.com/janimm/RealDash-extras/tree/master/RealDash-CAN/Arduino-examples) Where is the XML for this .INO file? ---
**Author:** ![realdashdev](https://forum.realdash.net/user_avatar/forum.realdash.net/realdashdev/32/6_2.png) [@realdashdev](https://forum.realdash.net/u/realdashdev)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 7:23am UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/17 "2024-08-08T07:23:18Z")
Here: [RealDash-extras/RealDash-CAN/Arduino-examples at master · janimm/RealDash-extras · GitHub](https://github.com/janimm/RealDash-extras/tree/master/RealDash-CAN/Arduino-examples) Direct link to file: > ---
**Author:** ![Valter](https://forum.realdash.net/user_avatar/forum.realdash.net/valter/32/1879_2.png) [@Valter](https://forum.realdash.net/u/Valter)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2024, 4:29am UTC](https://forum.realdash.net/t/using-an-arduino-as-the-signal-data-source-towards-the-realdash-app-links-to-get-started/3135/18 "2024-08-16T04:29:53Z")
Edit: Forum is English only. See forum rules: [Forum rules - General / RealDash Forum - RealDash Forum](https://forum.realdash.net/t/forum-rules/460)