Recently I have re-sparked the fire to get my Turbo Sentra project going, and in doing so I have been seriously considering what dash display I wanted to end up with. Everyone makes really nice units now days, but customization on most platforms is relatively limited and I don't have Motec money to spend. That being said, I went Karting a few days ago and saw these Mychron5 AIM Units that were on a bunch of the karts. The light was BRIGHT, Integrated GPS, and all for a low price!
Turns out the Mychron5 is more of a kart only device, as its input capabilities are severely limited. However I found the AIM MXm which is the same housing with a little pepped up hardware for CAN system integration on MANY modern ECU's. I will be going with the MS3Pro so this will be a shoe in as they already have preset CAN templates for Megasquirt in AIM's Racestudio Configuration Program.
Tonight I found a used MXm headunit only for $1000 shipped, so I looked up the instructions and determined my plan of attack for building my own custom harness for one of these before I actually committed. Here goes.
The Main User Guide for the MXm from AIM's website gave me all of the pinout information I needed as well. We will be utilizing the 37-way Red Band Deutsch ASL found on ProwireUSA's website in the link below.
Then I found a Breakout Resource Ends List and will end up utilizing just what I need and wiring accordingly when I build my own harness.
Effectively I used this table to understand what lands where in AIM's proprietary harness. No funny business, just what AIM offers on there website. I will be using Channel 1 for Oil Pressure, USB for Programming, CAN at Pins 8/9 for ECU data, Switched Ignition Input to Pin 1 and Pin 2 goes to Chassis ground.
These are the USB cable and port I purchased. I will end up cutting the bulkhead mount cable and putting a connector inline for an extension. They don't seem to offer many of these bulkhead Mini USB Panel Mounts but I like this style with the dust cap and the unit is cost effective. I will verify if that actually means garbage.
In building my own unit I can avoid using AIM's proprietary Binder Connector System and will end up saving a bunch of money because of this. The packaging of the harness will be much cleaner as I wont have all of the unnecessary bulk and intermediate connections like a conventional Out of the box Aim MXm harness would have.
DEAL BREAKER for most average Joes.
I actually already own the crimp frame and dies for these Deutsch ASL series connectors (37-way AIM Dash Connector), however both of these items are what most hobbyist would consider outrageous! Rightfully so, and I am unsure of any more cost effective alternatives. Will Update...
Hopefully some of my blabbering and links are helpful to someone other than myself!
Cheers everyone and Happy Creating!
-The WireDaddy- Nate :)
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