New cell phone app: Tesla Tattler --- works on all cell phones

scott451 · Aug 23, 2011

dsm363 said:
Scott: What is your estimate on the public release of the tattler?

W.Petefish said:
Scott, Any updates? ETA of the Tattler?

felixtb said:
scott, when do you think the tattler will be production ready?!

So here's the latest status:

The beta testers have been very helpful pointing out bugs, suggesting improvements and features. There are a few open issues:

The off the shelf modem will lock up and not recover in poor coverage. Removing/reinstalling the modem fixes the problem. The tattler hardware can do this automatically, but I still need to develop code to detect the error and power-cycle the modem.
The tattler is a Linux system using an ext3 file system on an 2GB SD card. The tattler really needs to be shut down properly to avoid corrupting the file system. One beta tester already needed to reload the tattler Linux image. I'm working on using a Raid 1 flash driver to solve the problem, but the card is 256MB so the Linux image needs to be stripped down. The good news it the power used by the tattler never goes off, so as long as you shutdown the tattler before taking it in for service, you shouldn't have a problem.
The CAN controller in the tattler hardware sometimes doesn't send CAN messages correctly. This is very frustrating as it is hard to tell if a message got sent. I've added extra code to verify state changes and re-send the CAN message if needed.

Since all of the hardware is off the shelf, my only solution is to find "work-arounds". I believe that I have solutions, but they need more testing. I really wanted to release the tattler in time for the 3rd annual roaster rally in LA September 10th. I won't make that date and then I'm at lake Powell for two weeks. Probably sometime in October is when the first batch of tattlers will ship (US only). As far as the "cool down" feature goes, it won't be officially supported initially. It will be off by default. You can turn it on, but you will need to get support from other tattler users when you have questions. So cooldown will be "forum" supported. I'll fix bugs as they are identified, but I won't go into the explanation/justification/algorithm description of cooldown. Right now cool down just too complicated for me (one person) to support all the users. Cooldown is very useful for the people who charge on TOU. Once the tattler is released, I'll start an "official tattler support" and "unofficial tattler cooldown support" threads.

That being said, I open the floor to comments from the beta testers...

strider · Aug 23, 2011

Scott,

Thanks for the update! We appreciate all the work and eagerly anticipate the release.

S-2000 Roadster · Aug 24, 2011

scott451 said:
The off the shelf modem will lock up and not recover in poor coverage. Removing/reinstalling the modem fixes the problem. The tattler hardware can do this automatically, but I still need to develop code to detect the error and power-cycle the modem.

This sounds very much like a problem that the Alpine head unit has with its internal GPS unit. I've seen the GPS function lock up completely where power-cycling the Alpine would not bring it back. I basically had to wait until it fixed itself (meanwhile, I got a little lost and was late for a business meeting - damn, we really do tend to rely on technology once it becomes available). Anyway, my whole point with this is to point out that the problems you're dealing with are at least not unique to your hardware setup. Can you say "watchdog?"

Since all of the hardware is off the shelf, my only solution is to find "work-arounds". I believe that I have solutions, but they need more testing.

If you find yourself getting "stuck" with the off-the-shelf hardware, or otherwise considering custom hardware as a possible solution, then drop me a line. I have designed several commercial electronic products with USB and other standard communications protocols, from schematic and PCB layout to firmware, etc. I also have a handy test-bed... :wink:

W.Petefish · Aug 24, 2011

One better, I already have designed a CAN trans board. CAN<>USB via an Mbed. Although it would take a bit to finish, it would be an idea. (the software needs alot of work)

In its simplest form it is a TLA1048 Dual CAN driver attached to the two CAN busses on the Mbed.

Schematic of the CAN driver. With a little research it doesn't take much to hook this up to the Mbed. That being said, I haven't had the time to run tests on it.
View attachment TLA1048.pdf

TEG · Aug 24, 2011

scott451 said:
...The tattler is a Linux system using an ext3 file system on an 2GB SD card. The tattler really needs to be shut down properly to avoid corrupting the file system. One beta tester already needed to reload the tattler Linux image...

For what it is worth, the "home brew" monitoring / diagnostic computer I got for my old RangerEV has the same problem. If you power down abruptly there is a slight chance of data corruption. I had to reload the flash a couple of times. When Tesla first announced the Roadster I was worried something like that could happen to the car, but it seems they were able to get everything reliable enough.

strider · Aug 24, 2011

S-2000 Roadster said:
This sounds very much like a problem that the Alpine head unit has with its internal GPS unit. I've seen the GPS function lock up completely where power-cycling the Alpine would not bring it back. I basically had to wait until it fixed itself.

This has happened to me once - the quickest way to get it back is to reset the unit (recessed button on the front of the unit).

S-2000 Roadster · Aug 25, 2011

W.Petefish said:
One better, I already have designed a CAN trans board. CAN<>USB via an Mbed. Although it would take a bit to finish, it would be an idea. (the software needs alot of work)

In its simplest form it is a TLA1048 Dual CAN driver attached to the two CAN busses on the Mbed.

Schematic of the CAN driver.

Thanks. What is the manufacturer and part number for that 14-pin dual CAN chip? I can't find TLA1048 at Mouser or Digikey, and Google shows this thread as one of the top hits. It's always bad when Google starts out by sending you back where you started...

scott451 · Aug 25, 2011

S-2000 Roadster said:
Thanks. What is the manufacturer and part number for that 14-pin dual CAN chip? I can't find TLA1048 at Mouser or Digikey, and Google shows this thread as one of the top hits. It's always bad when Google starts out by sending you back where you started...

Try looking for TJA1048 from NXP. But it's just a transceiver. You still need a controller.

W.Petefish · Aug 25, 2011

S-2000 Roadster said:
Thanks. What is the manufacturer and part number for that 14-pin dual CAN chip? I can't find TLA1048 at Mouser or Digikey, and Google shows this thread as one of the top hits. It's always bad when Google starts out by sending you back where you started...

OOPS, typo. TJA1048

The Mbed is what I was using as a controller.

tomsax · Aug 25, 2011

scott451 said:
That being said, I open the floor to comments from the beta testers...

Overall, I've been having a very good experience beta testing the Tattler. Scott and Richard have been fixing bugs and making improvements based on our feedback.

Cathy and I used it on an 824-mile road trip last weekend. It was great to be able to monitor charging progress in many different situations. It worked in two different friends' garages, a public HPC in Ellensburg, and an RV park. The only time we couldn't keep tabs was when we were charging in the basement of a hotel parking garage in Spokane. It was a big help when we were juggling charging between two Roadsters at a friend's house and when charging overnight at an RV park with dodgy electrical hookups.

That said, I think Scott's making the right choice waiting for the software to get more testing and refinement before opening up sales.

I've figured out a way to mount the Tattler so it is completely hidden. I'll post photos when Scott gets closer to taking orders.

Doug_G · Aug 25, 2011

I've been testing it as well. I've had a few glitches, but the issues are understood and are being worked on. The main problem is the GSM modem lockups; I can't see releasing the product without getting that sorted first.

It's very reassuring to have automatic notifications of the charge status when you are charging in an unfamiliar location. You can also ask the car for a progress report, which is handy if you're waiting for a certain Ideal Miles for the next leg of your tip.

Right now I have a "temporary install"; once the bugs are worked out I'll try the hidden installation.

S-2000 Roadster · Aug 25, 2011

scott451 said:
Try looking for TJA1048 from NXP. But it's just a transceiver. You still need a controller.

Thanks for the part number! I have plenty of controllers around here. Fuzzylogic pointed out a PIC that has CAN built-in, so maybe that's an option I'll use. I have the Dangerous Prototypes "Bus Blaster" on order, and it would probably interface with CAN using a couple of jumper wires - good enough for listening in, although I probably wouldn't send CAN messages to my car over alligator clips!

W.Petefish · Aug 25, 2011

Go to FORD get the pigtail for the connector. Ford Part# 3U2Z-14S411-PLA. It costs $44, but it already has the wires crimped and installed in the connector.

vfx · Sep 21, 2011

kgb said:
Exactly
New cell phone app: Tesla Tattler --- works on all cell phones

At a recent event a bunch of us got to try it on our cars. it's pretty cool.

While miles from my car I found it was on a 30A circuit but was only charging at 10A. Too hot I guess.

zack · Sep 21, 2011

The Tattler will let us change the charge settings remotely?

vfx · Sep 21, 2011

zack said:
The Tattler will let us change the charge settings remotely?

Yes. Anything the VDS screen does. I will let Scott take over. Perhaps move to Tattler thread.

W.Petefish · Sep 21, 2011

Yeah, and more. (monitor charge rate, pre-cool the battery, ...)

VolkerP · Sep 21, 2011

thanks, I consumed the tattler thread. I am partly amazed what the tattler does, partly not surprised at all because Scott is behind it. My only disappointment was that TEG didn't post a picture of Tom meeting Scott in that restaurant and their roadsters parked side-by-side :biggrin:

vfx · Sep 21, 2011

My only disappointment was that TEG didn't post a picture of Tom meeting Scott in that restaurant and their roadsters parked side-by-side :biggrin:

How's this?

Tattler and Scott.

bonnie · Sep 21, 2011

Is that in Newport?

New cell phone app: Tesla Tattler --- works on all cell phones

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