Power Gauge Pro

21/04/2026

Watch Claude design a digital gauge cluster layout... Very early experiment.. interesting results.

21/04/2026

We made generating image assets easier to make graphic layouts easier for the dashes. Try it now at http://hub.powergaugepro.com

03/04/2026

08/03/2026

At Power Gauge Pro, we aren't just building a digital dash...we’re building the platform that powers it.

Real performance isn't just about a pretty screen; it’s about the data architecture underneath. Our team is currently deep in the development of the tools that will give you total control over your cockpit:

🔹 The Graphic Design Editor: We’re perfecting the drag-and-drop environment so you can design a UI that’s as unique as your build.
🔹 The CAN Bus Profile Editor: Building the framework that allows you to map and manage data streams with surgical precision.

There are a lot of little details when you're making a whole platform.

26/02/2026

Design Editor Updates

14/02/2026

Most dashes show you raw data. Power Gauge Pro lets you build intelligence into your display. And if you can use Microsoft Excel… you can do this

The Formulas system isn't just math—it's a logic engine that turns sensor data into actionable insights. Multiple formulas work together, feeding into backend objects like timers, counters, and visual primitives.

Real-World Examples:

🔴 Smart Warning with Flashing

$oil_warning = ($engine_rpm > 300) and ($oil_pressure{psi} < 2) and flash(100, 100)
$icon_color = if($oil_warning, " ", " #808080")

→ When engine is running AND oil pressure drops below 2 PSI, flash the icon between red and grey at 5 Hz. The formula outputs colors based on true/false conditions.

🏙️ Track City Driving Time

$is_city_driving = ($speed{mph} > 5) and ($speed{mph} < 45)

→ This datapoint feeds a Timer object in the backend, which creates timer1.elapsed. Automatic data collection—track how long you spend in city vs highway driving.

🌡️ Mix Units Freely

$avg_egt = average($egt1{degF}, $egt2{degC}, $egt3{degF}, $egt4{degC})

→ Sensors with different units? No problem. Built-in unit conversion handles it automatically.

⚙️ User-Calibrated Warnings

$oil_warning_threshold = 20{psi} // Static datapoint - set once
$oil_alert = $oil_pressure{psi} < $oil_warning_threshold

→ Change one calibration value, update every formula that references it.

The Power:

• Multiple formulas working in sequence
• Formula outputs feed Timer objects, Counter objects, animation parameters
• Any visual primitive can be driven by formula output
• Mix engineering units freely—automatic conversion
• Build logic chains: Formula A → Formula B → Trigger warning/animation
This isn't a display. It's a programmable data engine with a screen.n

12/02/2026

How PowerGaugePro Reads Your Engine Data

There are two main approaches to getting data from your vehicle's ECU:

1. CAN Bus Sniffing (Our Go-To, Simple, Method)
This is what PowerGaugePro uses for most scenarios. We tap into your vehicle's CAN network and decode the raw messages flowing between modules. Think of it like listening to a conversation without interrupting it.

*Non-invasive - doesn't interfere with vehicle systems
* Fast and lightweight - no protocol overhead
* Works with most modern vehicles (2008+)
* Perfect for gauge display and data logging

2. Higher-Level Protocols (For Advanced Integration)
When you need to actually control vehicle systems or request specific data, you might need:

• OBD-II - The standard diagnostic port protocol (PowerGaugePro supports this at launch!)
• UDS (Unified Diagnostic Services) - Used by mechanics for diagnostics, reprogramming, and deep system access
• J1939 - Heavy-duty vehicle standard (trucks, industrial equipment)
• NMEA 2000 - Marine and RV networks

These protocols let you ask the ECU for data or send commands, but they're more complex and not needed for most gauge applications.

Bottom Line:
For displaying real-time engine data? CAN sniffing is faster, simpler, and more reliable. For ECU reprogramming or advanced diagnostics? That's when you reach for the heavy protocols.

Want to dive deeper into how this works? Drop a comment.

11/02/2026

Your car is speaking. Are you listening?

Every modern car has a CAN bus — a network where sensors, ECUs, and modules constantly talk to each other.

But here's the problem:
That data is encoded. Raw CAN frames look like gibberish:
0x123: 4F 2A 8C 1D 90 3B 7E 42

Enter: DBC files.

A DBC (Database CAN) file is the Rosetta Stone for your car. It tells you:

• What each message ID means
• How to decode the bytes into real values
• Units, scaling, offsets
Example:
Raw: 0x201: 3C 8F
Decoded: Engine RPM = 3,580

Here's the kicker:
Most digital dashes DON'T let you import your own DBC files. You're stuck with what they support — if they support your ECU at all.

PowerGaugePro is different.

✅ Import your own DBC files
✅ Pre-built configs for common ECUs (Haltech, Holley, AEM, etc.)
✅ Full customization for unique setups

Running a custom or obscure ECU? No problem. You're in control of the data.

10/02/2026

Think your car runs on "12V"? Think again.

Here's what's ACTUALLY happening in your electrical system:

-Normal operation: 13.8-14.4V (alternator charging)
-Engine cranking: Dips to 6-9V (starter load)
-Load dump: Spikes to 24-32V (battery disconnect or poor thermal connections cause alternator voltage to spike uncontrolled)
-Reverse voltage: Jump starting accidents happen

This is where hobby-grade electronics fail:

-Low voltage during cranking → they shut down and restart (losing data)
-Load dump spikes → instant death
-Wire it backwards while jump starting → fried

PowerGaugePro is professional-grade hardware:

*Wide voltage operating range (stays running through cranking, survives load dumps)
*Reverse voltage protection (jump start accidents won't kill it)
*No shutdowns, no reboots, no lost data
*Ultra-low standby current (won't drain your battery)

Your car's electrical system is chaos. Hobby electronics aren't built for it. PowerGaugePro is.

Want to know more about the engineering behind PowerGaugePro? Drop a comment or DM us.

08/02/2026

Not only can we display on screen gauges, but you can make control panels. Lights, locks… anything you can control over canbus. Maybe traction control, or ECU tunes? Tell us what you want to control.