Emergency DEF bypass

[GUS2000]

Since there is no "patent protection" on this, the only option i see to understand how his device is designed and implemented is to have a neutral third party review his device and compare it to the device that is a solution for a fraction of the price.. Is your friend willing to do that??

does he have a website?? i would like to have one of my auditors review his specifications against the DIY solution.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Since there is no "patent protection" on this, the only option i see to understand how his device is designed and implemented is to have a neutral third party review his device and compare it to the device that is a solution for a fraction of the price.. Is your friend willing to do that??

does he have a website?? i would like to have one of my auditors review his specifications against the DIY solution.

I've spoken with him, and he's confident in what he builds, the Arduino board, cables, etc. and his labor costs...and it's quite a bit more; like around $250.

He's fully aware of there being a dozen DIY solutions out there and encourages anyone to use them if they so choose...so long as they work ON THEIR OWN coach.

However, as mention before, he's building these primarily for a Newell coach which comes at the obvious increased liability as well as the "almost always" tech support calls at the worst possible timing.

 

[flyboy013]

The question is where did he get the software? To my knowledge the only software written for this effort is what I put on GitHub. I put the firmware out there with a non commercial license. So technically no one can sell these. The firmware is available to end users who build their own. Additionally, I only put the binary version of the software out there. The source code was not made available to the public for fear that folks would use it as a starting point for a delete capability which I want no part of.

I’ve been working on improving the device in several ways to include commercial waterproofing (ie potting) and adding additional sensors in order for it to eventually be a legal replacement for a failed head. We’ll see.

I’m currently building these at a cost of $30 plus labor.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

I don’t know. I can’t speak for him, but being a software developer, himself, I’m pretty confident that he would respect any conditions of use, if there were any.

Also, to be clear, what he’s making is for the fellow Newell owners, not commercially sold. Seems pretty simple…a Newell owner has a failure, he builds them a box, they pay him for his time and materials, and they’re back up and running as a happy camper…who tells 2 friends…and so on.

As for your cost to build…wow…people should jump on that for $30! (BTW, my buddy’s hourly rate is $750/hr).

I had this in my files for a “some day” project, and it’s a heckuva lot more than $30; more like $180 in parts. I recall my buddy saying you can’t get some of these boards. Not sure why.

DEF Sensor Simulator – Arduino DUE (Original Build) – DEF Sensor Simulator

 

[flyboy013]

As the linked page states, that’s the original build. After we came up with that solution we found better development boards for the job.

No need for the $150 board when you can go with the CANBed board for $15 (even less in quantities of 5, 10 or more). And the CANBed board is a better solution for other reasons such as a bootloader that makes the board look like an external drive where you can just drag the firmware file to the board as opposed to using an IDE to install. Literally takes 15 seconds to program the board.

I’ve build several DSS devices for Newell coaches. Same connector as the Spartan. The devices don’t care if it’s on a Dutch Star or a Newell, but those that have a Newell typically are used to overpaying. I just walked through a 2025 Newell. Nice coach. It was selling for $2.7M!

 

[punkinhead]

I had this in my files for a “some day” project, and it’s a heckuva lot more than $30; more like $180 in parts. I recall my buddy saying you can’t get some of these boards. Not sure why.

I built mine a couple months ago for $30 in parts. Your buddy is gouging poorly informed consumers and appears to be an intellectual property thief. I'm not sure why you keep repeating that he's selling them to Newell owners since that has absolutely nothing to do with it.

 

[team bradfield]

I know my parts were less than 50, took about 2 beers time to build

 

[CaptainGizmo]

As the linked page states, that’s the original build. After we came up with that solution we found better development boards for the job.

No need for the $150 board when you can go with the CANBed board for $15 (even less in quantities of 5, 10 or more). And the CANBed board is a better solution for other reasons such as a bootloader that makes the board look like an external drive where you can just drag the firmware file to the board as opposed to using an IDE to install. Literally takes 15 seconds to program the board.

I’ve build several DSS devices for Newell coaches. Same connector as the Spartan. The devices don’t care if it’s on a Dutch Star or a Newell, but those that have a Newell typically are used to overpaying. I just walked through a 2025 Newell. Nice coach. It was selling for $2.7M!

Wow, good info…figures that this type of thing gets cheaper. Now, if ONLY the Newell coaches would get cheaper, huh? Geesh!

I’ll pass along your info, but do know my friend said the code he got wasn’t on GitHub, nor did it have any usage stipulations…just an FYI.

 

[flyboy013]

I’ll pass along your info, but do know my friend said the code he got wasn’t on GitHub, nor did it have any usage stipulations…just an FYI.

There are several websites that provide a download link to the GitHub repository or are hosting the file. The firmware is at the link below.

GitHub - flyboy013/DEF_Sensor_Emulator_Firmware: This repository contains the compiled Arduino Due sketch for emulating a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) head.

This repository contains the compiled Arduino Due sketch for emulating a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) head. - flyboy013/DEF_Sensor_Emulator_Firmware

github.com

 

[GUS2000]

Wow, good info…figures that this type of thing gets cheaper. Now, if ONLY the Newell coaches would get cheaper, huh? Geesh!

I’ll pass along your info, but do know my friend said the code he got wasn’t on GitHub, nor did it have any usage stipulations…just an FYI.

You should invite your buddy to join here to get his input and understand his development and sales process..

 

[CaptainGizmo]

You should invite your buddy to join here to get his input and understand his development and sales process..

In all due respect, he’s not the least bit interested. He makes what he needs for his friends. He’s got a full handle on development.

 

[GUS2000]

In all due respect, he’s not the least bit interested. He makes what he needs for his friends. He’s got a full handle on development.

Let me be perfectly clear.. It was not an invitation to have him market his product, but to understand how he came up with the concept, how he developed or where he obtained the code, etc.. You are in here defending him and he is not speaking for himself, so unless he has something to hide, then he should have no problem with transparency..

 

[redbaron]

Thread Warning:

It is clearly established that the source code is owned exclusively by @flyboy013 and that he alone can legally sell the product.

It serves no purpose to our community to further discuss the topic. This forum is not the enforcement agency for copyright infringement.

Further any posts offering for sale or discussing the sale of these products that are not officially endorsed by a commercial member should be avoided.

Let’s keep it friendly and on topic of helping others.

 

[GUS2000]

Thread Warning:

It is clearly established that the source code is owned exclusively by @flyboy013 and that he alone can legally sell the product.

It serves no purpose to our community to further discuss the topic. This forum is not the enforcement agency for copyright infringement.

Further any posts offering for sale or discussing the sale of these products that are not officially endorsed by a commercial member should be avoided.

Let’s keep it friendly and on topic of helping others.

Sorry had my IP Audit hat on

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Guys,

I regret mentioning anything to help the OP. I find myself in the middle of something I never intended, so I apologize.

I do feel I need to clear the air a bit, here, since some of my word choices may have led others in the wrong direction.

First, Tim is a friend of mine who's had a very successful career and is still very busy. He's not a "forum person" for a variety of reasons, so that's why I spoke on his behalf TO THE BEST OF MY knowledge.

I shouldn't have mentioned "sells" the emulator because, just as others, he's merely building them for the Newell owners who contact him. He's NOT doing this as a business. This is the very reason he didn't want me to banner his contact info since he has no intentions of get into "selling" these things; but he's glad to make one for those who need it.

Tim, being in the industry, is keenly aware of, and respectful of, IP...so I truly hope no one has developed the opinion that he's anything else.

Again, I'm sorry for trying to help someone with a solution and creating something uncomfortable or controversial. So I hope my final words clear it up a bit and will bow out.

Steve