Sourcing data for dashes in NSP

Sourcing data for dashes in NSP

How to setup a CAN source

Overview

Haltech dash displays are CAN devices that source information for display from the CAN bus to which they are connected. In most applications, the dash display will be connected to a current Haltech ECU. However, these dashes can also be set up to display information from a CAN-based OBDII port or a different aftermarket ECU supported by the dash display.

This article will explain how to set up Haltech dash displays to read CAN data from a Haltech ECU, OBDII, or a supported third-party aftermarket ECU. Additionally, it will show how to set up the dash to display information from a sensor or device that is directly wired to the inputs on the main connector at the back of the dash.

Note: This article assumes you have a Haltech dash display that is compatible with or has been updated to use the NSP software for dash configuration. If you have a Haltech iC-7 dash display that uses the older ICC software and want to update the unit to be compatible with the NSP software, read through the steps shown in this article: How to update your Haltech iC-7 dash display to use the NSP software

Haltech CAN

To set up CAN communications with a Haltech ECU, the Haltech dash display needs to be specifically configured for it. In most applications, this will already be set up in the default dash configuration. However, if you're setting it up from a different configuration, the first step is to connect the dash to the NSP software and enable the Haltech CAN bus setting in Connections, as shown below.



The next step is to assign the CAN port on your dash by navigating to the CAN sub-node in the navigation tree. This must be assigned to Haltech CAN Bus Port 1. The terminating resistor needs to be enabled if the dash display is the last device at the end of the bus.



The Haltech ECU also needs to be set up for correct CAN communications accordingly. To do this, disconnect the dash display from the NSP software and reconnect the Haltech ECU to it. Similarly, enable the "Haltech CAN Bus" setting in Connections, and assign the correct CAN port on your ECU. Most Haltech ECUs will have more than one CAN port, and the correct one to assign will depend on how the ECU is physically configured (i.e., which ports are connected to Haltech CAN devices such as the dash display).



The above steps are all that's needed for a Haltech dash to receive and display CAN data from a Haltech ECU. If your application requires sharing inputs and outputs from a Haltech ECU to a Haltech dash display, read through the additional steps shown in this article: IO between Dash and ECU in NSP

OBDII CAN


Haltech dash displays can also be configured to communicate with a CAN-based OBDII port. To set this up, first, power up the dash display using an HT-135003 cable, then connect it to the NSP software. The Third Party CAN Bus setting needs to be enabled in Connections, as shown below.


The next step is to assign the CAN port on your dash by navigating to the CAN sub-node in the navigation tree. This must be assigned to CAN Bus Port 1. 



Lastly, click on Third Party CAN (under the Connections > CAN node) and choose "OBDII" as the CAN protocol to be used.



From here, the Haltech dash display will be able to show the following data from most factory ECUs that support CAN-based OBDII:
  1. Engine Speed
  2. Manifold Pressure
  3. Throttle Position
  4. Coolant Temperature
  5. Intake Air Temperature
  6. Vehicle Speed
  7. Short Term Fuel Trim
  8. Long Term Fuel Trim

Third-Party ECU CAN


Last but definitely not least, Haltech dash displays can also be configured to communicate with supported third-party aftermarket ECUs. To set this up, the dash display needs to be powered up and connected to the NSP software, and the Haltech CAN bus setting needs to be enabled in Connections, as shown below.


The next step is to assign the CAN port on your dash by navigating to the CAN sub-node in the navigation tree. This must be assigned to CAN Bus Port 1. The terminating resistor needs to be enabled if the dash display is the last device at the end of the bus.




Next, click on "Third Party CAN" under the Connections > CAN node, and choose the supported third-party aftermarket ECU that is used.



Furthermore, each third-party aftermarket ECU CAN protocol will have different sets of additional channels that the Haltech dash supports by individually assigning these channels as generic CAN channels within the NSP software. 



After mapping these extra channels into the Generic CAN channel assignments, you can proceed to set up the screens to use these generic channels in the same way you would set up the native channels.





How to configure channel sources (some examples)


In most applications, the data that Haltech dashes display will come in as CAN channels from a Haltech ECU. However, in some cases, these dash displays will need to read certain channels from sensors or devices wired directly to the main connector (e.g., direct inputs). This flexibility allows users to configure their dash displays to suit a wide range of setups, ensuring that all necessary information is accurately captured and displayed.

Tacho Input


By default, Haltech dash displays have the RPM channel looking for data coming from the CAN stream. To set up the dash for a direct tachometer signal connection, the function "Tacho Input" (under Sensors) will need to be enabled. This tells the dash display to look at the signal coming from the tachometer input pin on your Haltech dash display instead. The tachometer input signal will then need to be calibrated for the correct display by choosing the correct number of cylinders based on your engine configuration.



Speedo Input


Similar to the RPM channel, the Vehicle Speed channel expects data from CAN by default. To change it to direct input, the Vehicle Speed function in your dash configuration must be enabled which tells the dash to read vehicle speed from a dash display input (DPI or SPI) assigned to the function. In this example, we have wired a Haltech GPS Speed Module to DPI 1 on a Haltech iC-7 dash display.






Indicators


The left and right turn indicators, as well as the high beam, park light, and handbrake warning light, are all set up to be wired directly to the Haltech dash display by default. These inputs are usually wired similarly to the diagram below.



However, if you have wired these light functions differently, for example, if your indicators or headlights are controlled by a Haltech ECU or Haltech PDM, you must turn the Indicators and Headlights functions off in the dash display configuration. This sets the dash to look for the indicator and high beam state data from the CAN signal sent to the dash display and flashes these indicator / warning light components on your dash screen accordingly.



  1. Navigating dashes in NSP
  2. IO between dash and ECU in NSP
  3. How to configure a Hondata K-Pro V4 ECU to work with a Haltech display dash
  4. How to configure a Link G4 CAN-enabled ECU to work with a Haltech display dash
  5. How to configure a Motec ECU to work with a Haltech display dash
  6. How to configure a MaxxECU to work with a Haltech display dash
  7. How to configure a Syvecs ECU to work with a Haltech display dash

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