Navigating the intricacies of vehicle diagnostics and OBD2 systems often involves wrestling with a complex web of wires. Traditional methods for accessing and manipulating OBD2 signals are cumbersome, typically requiring the dismantling of multiple OBD2 cables to create a tangled mess of connections. This approach is not only visually chaotic but also difficult to reconfigure and maintain, resembling a chaotic spaghetti junction on your workbench.
Macchina is revolutionizing this process with the development of an innovative OBD2 breakout board, designed to streamline connections and provide unparalleled flexibility in signal routing. This ingeniously designed board simplifies access to every signal line, allowing users to effortlessly redirect any signal to any pin, making tasks like sniffing bus traffic or developing OBD2 devices significantly easier. Imagine the convenience of developing and testing Autoroute Obd2 Scanner applications or other OBD2 tools without constant trips to your car. With an optional power adapter, you can power the breakout board independently, enabling you to work comfortably in your preferred environment, away from the vehicle. Need to reroute CAN1 to CAN0 for testing or analysis? This board offers that level of effortless customization. It’s truly a versatile tool, poised to empower users with unprecedented control over OBD2 signal manipulation.
Here’s a closer look at the hardware features that make this OBD2 breakout board a game-changer:
Key Components
The Autoroute OBD2 breakout board is equipped with a range of components meticulously selected for optimal functionality and user convenience, as illustrated below:
INPUT OBD2 Connector: Features a single male pin OBD2 connector. This serves as the input point, designed to connect to an OBD2 extension cable, which then links to your vehicle’s OBD2 port.
OUTPUT OBD2 Connectors: Includes dual female pin output connectors, mirroring the standard connectors found in contemporary vehicles. These provide versatile output options for connecting to various OBD2 devices or systems.
12V Input Power Source: Incorporates an external 12V power adapter input. This feature is invaluable for conducting desktop OBD2 development, allowing you to power the board independently of a vehicle. When using an OBD2 extension cable connected to a car, power is drawn directly from the vehicle, negating the need for an external power source.
Power Jumpers: Equipped with jumpers to regulate power flow to each output. These jumpers offer individual control over power delivery, with a green LED indicator confirming when power is active.
Junction Blocks: Features strategically placed junction blocks designed for flexible OBD2 signal routing to the connectors as required. These blocks provide access to all signal lines, allowing for extensive customization. Further details on junction block functionality are provided below.
CAN Termination Resistors: Includes two sets of termination resistors. These are particularly useful when employing an emulator in your OBD2 setup, ensuring proper signal termination and network stability.
Understanding Junction Blocks
The junction blocks, positioned adjacent to each OUTPUT OBD2 connector, are central to the breakout board’s adaptability. They empower users to dynamically alter signal pathways between connectors. By installing a simple jumper wire between the rows of pins, you can establish direct “through” connections, maintaining the original signal path. Alternatively, jumpers can be used to bridge across to different pins, enabling the rearrangement of signals to suit specific testing or development needs.
Important Warning: Exercise caution when reconfiguring signals between OBD2 connectors.
Pin voltages are not uniform across all pins.
The pin row closest to the OBD2 connector is directly linked to that connector, while the row furthest from the OBD2 connector provides a direct pathway to the INPUT OBD2 connector.
It is important to note that Ground connections are pre-established between all three OBD2 connectors for convenience. Ground access is also available on the junction blocks, providing additional grounding points if needed for your specific configuration.
