ECU for Convertible car top problem

[lasix]

Sorry if this is not in the correct forum. I thought this would fit it best, however mods, please move as desired. I am not new to programming, but I am new to rasberry pi and phtyon.

I have an car that has an ECU which runs the convertible top. Getting a new ECU is not an option. Less than 1000 cars were made, and that was 20+ years ago. ASC, the company that built the convertible parts and electronics no longer has any software or info on the car.... I need to start at ground zero if I wish to keep the car with a functional top - and I do.

Anyway... here are my questions before I invest time and money into this platform.

1. Does the raspberry PI allow for user interface via toggle switches? I need to have a push button to operate the convertible top. I also need one for up and one for down. Can the PI do this?
2. Does the PI operate servos, or does the PI have the ability to be a power management unit for running a motor?
3. I see the PI has connection terminals. How many outputs can the PI handle? For this car I need management of the 1 touch operation. It needs to be able to sync roof lock, rear windows, trunk, and top motors. It also needs to sync them for reverse operation as well. Is this possible with the PI?
4. What is the boot up time for the PI? Since this is an automotive application, I would only want power supply to the PI when the igintion is on. AND, I would want it to autoboot when receiving power without any additional user interface.

Are the above possibilities with the Rasperbby PI and Python?

Thank you

[buran]

Although there are some users that have/work with Pi, I think it would be better to ask these questions also on a Raspberry Pi forum. To best of my knowledge the answer to 1 and 2 and 3 is yes (I don't have Pi, but am entertaining the idea of buying one). 4 would be best answered on Pi forum. Anyways on Pi forum they could also recommend the hardware
Is it possible with Python - if the answer to your questions is yes, it most certainly could be done with python.

[Larz60+]

These are not definitive answers, but I'll take a pass at it:

1. Does the raspberry PI allow for user interface via toggle switches? I need to have a push button to operate the convertible top. I also need one for up and one for down. Can the PI do this?

1. The raspberry pi has 28 GPIO ports, two, 0 and 1 are semi reserved, (and shouldn't be used for that reason. The others are available for either input or output.

A toggle switch interface is simple. Here's a how-to for switches. Just remember that a toggle is closed until open, so the software might be a bit different that for a momentary switch. https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewt...p?t=108154

2. Does the PI operate servos, or does the PI have the ability to be a power management unit for running a motor?

2. See: http://www.instructables.com/id/Servo-Mo...pberry-Pi/
As for high power devices, you can buy relay boards, usually with 8 relays. These are activated with a single GPIO port, and allow controlling high power.

3. I see the PI has connection terminals. How many outputs can the PI handle? For this car I need management of the 1 touch operation. It needs to be able to sync roof lock, rear windows, trunk, and top motors. It also needs to sync them for reverse operation as well. Is this possible with the PI?

3. As stated previously, 26.

4. 4. What is the boot up time for the PI? Since this is an automotive application, I would only want power supply to the PI when the igintion is on. AND, I would want it to autoboot when receiving power without any additional user interface.

with provided software the PI is rather slow.
You may want to look at some of the TI products as an alternative. I have made products using the MSP430, it comes with all kinds of neat on chip peripherals, timers, A/D and D/A converters, and in a dedicated environment will boot up in a fraction of a second. There are a bunch of 'Launchpad' kits that use the MSP430, and come with various on board devices for development work. Prices are very low, usually only a few dollars. Documentation and free development tools are outstanding, you can download without buying anything.

In addition, there is a huge library of code for various projects. You may very well find one similar to what you are planning.
Visit http://www.ti.com/tools-software/launchp...hpads.html to have a look. form this device, you could drive an Allegro Motor Driver and Interface IC see: https://www.allegromicro.com/en/Products...e-ICs.aspx

Hope this gets you going.