those interested might do well to check out Make magazine. they've most probably archived their material. every issue has an Arduino based project. the articles are generally well written ; some feature pix and step by step instructions. Arduino is quite popular in the electronics crowd for more than one reason I expect. great question, John. I hope some one takes the ball and runs with it on this. there's bound to be other applications. � � � � � � � � � � mike, somewhat electronicaly challenged also

________________________________
 From: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 9:30 PM
Subject: Arduino and Vanagons
 

I keep getting project announcements about a micro-controller board
called the Arduino and some of them really look interesting. I would
really like to get into this stuff, but haven't a clue when it comes to
electronics and programing microprocessors. About all I can say about it
is that I can tell a resister from a capacitor - and maybe a transistor
- and an IC chip - but beyond that - I'm as dumb as a stump. Trying to
create a circuit that could do something worthwhile would probably give
me a nervous breakdown. But there are two things I would like to do with
this, of maybe someone already has. One - is build a programmable
controller that could control the firing of an electric kiln - and have
it work in conjunction with a desktop PC. The second - and most
important thing - would be to develop a digital replacement box for the
Analog box that controls the Idle Stablizer System in the Vanagon.
That's the box just forward of the right hand stop light in the Vanagon.
Those things are expensive - and becoming more and more scarce. At one
time someone was working on something like this - but I haven't heard
anything about in in the last two-three years. So maybe some
knowledgeable person or persons could/would take up the challenge for
the Vanagon List family??� Maybe come up with something like Darrel
Boehlers ECU test kit he designed a few years ago. That accomplishment
would be a grand thing. I would do such a thing - but like I said - on
electronics, I'm dumber than a stump.

Anyone game? Or maybe want to talk of this??

John in Birmingham