Introduction

What Is It?

dingoPDM is an automotive Power Distribution Module.

PDMs can be used in place of fuses, circuit breakers and relays, including flasher and wiper relays.

Each output channel of the PDM:

• Measures the active current and reacts by turning the output off if the current exceeds the limit
• Automatically resets after a cool down period a maximum number of times
• Can be turned on/off using various input sources
• Can be on constantly or with Pulse Width Modulation(PWM)

This makes PDMs a very flexible solution when designing the power system in any automotive application.

Features

A key feature of any PDM is flexible configuration to match the target application.

To meet these needs, dingoPDM includes configurable:

• Outputs
• Digital inputs
• CAN inputs
• Virtual logic inputs
• Counters
• Logic conditions
• Wipers
• Flashers
• Starter disable

All settings on the dingoPDM can be controller by the custom Windows application DingoConfigurator

dingoPDM also includes:

• Cyclic CAN status messages (TX)
• Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
  • Configurable base frequency
  • Fixed or variable duty cycle
• CAN keypad support (work in progress)
  • Blink Marine
  • Grayhill
• Battery voltage measurement
• Internal temperature sensor
• Status LEDs

User Locations

{ "schema-url": "assets/charts/countries_chart.json" }

{ "schema-url": "assets/charts/states_chart.json" }

Configuration

The dingoPDM configuration can be accessed using:

• USB-C connected directly to the device, one at a time
• A CAN connection to one or many dingoPDMs at once using a USB to CAN adapter such as USB2CAN

Configuration reading/writing and status monitoring are all done using the custom built Windows application DingoConfigurator

Wiring Example

Resources

GitHub

dingoPDM is split between 3 GitHub repos.

The latest releases can be found on the Releases page for each repo:

• Hardware: dingoPDM
• Firmware: dingoPDM_FW
• Software: DingoConfigurator

dingoPDM-Max is split between 2 GitHub repos.

The latest releases can be found on the Releases page for each repo:

• Hardware: dingoPDM-Max
• Firmware: dingoPDM-Max_FW

Note

dingoPDM will ship with the latest firmware release installed at the time of shipping, but new firmware is released frequently.

Check the Releases page for a new release when receiving the dingoPDM and follow the Firwmare Updating instructions.

Store

Built and tested dingoPDMs can be purchased through the Dingo Electronics Store.

All PDMs are assembled and tested in Virginia

Dingo Electronics Store

Discord

See invite link at the bottom right of the page

Note

If the link is expired, send a message on the store page

Facebook

See link at the bottom right of the page

Test Config File

When first powering on dingoPDM, whether one received from the store or built yourself, the included test file can be used to verify functionality.

The test file includes a very basic setup:

• All outputs:
  • Enabled
  • Set to turn on with input 1
  • Set to their max current limit with endless reset
• Input 1 set to:
  • Pullup
  • Invert
  • Momentary

Connect input 1 to ground to turn all outputs on.

Changing CAN ID

The CAN Base ID default value is 2000.

To change this, modify the value in the DeviceTree and press Update and then Burn to save the setting.

On the next power up, the CAN Base ID will be updated.

Goals

• Learn more about PDMs and high DC current devices
• Learn about developing firmware for a more complex STM32 based project
• Create a low cost device that my friends and I can use in our project cars
• Layout the board to fit simple case designs
  • 3D printed top shell and flat aluminum heatsinks (no machining)
• Use low cost 1oz/0.5oz 4 layer PCBs (low cost 2oz/1oz now available from JLCPCB)
• Share my work with others for reference, inspiration or collaboration.
• Document the project in a professional way to make it easy to use and access
• Develop an easy to use configuration PC software
• Offer fully built devices for sale

Info

If this project helps you in any way, I'd appreciate a message!

Project Status

• : Complete
• : In Progess
• : Not Started

Recent Open Items	Status
Finish case design
Test thermal performance
Support USB C to C cables
Develop dingoPDM-Max
Finish documentation
Add device sleep
Add verbose error handling
Add keypad support
Add PWM output support
Switch-less bootloader
Add soft HMI buttons
Finish plots in software
Move to ChibiOS

Disclaimer

Warning

Please note that this product has been designed by a hobbyist, not a professional. It is intended for off-road and testing use only. Users should operate the product at their own discretion and risk. The designer explicitly disclaims any responsibility for damage or injury that may result from the use of this product.