I am not sure if this is more of a software project or a hardware project, so I will start here. After 20 years of deliberation, I have finally decided to buy a school bus and convert it into an rv. As part of the conversion, I would like to install a large touch screen over the instrument panel and have all sending units (cylinder temp, water, temp, speedo, etc) connect to a computer that is connected to the touch screen. I want the legally required items (headlights, taillights, backup lights, turn signals, etc) to be directly wired to the dash, with only a light to indicate whether or not they are on. The other items (backup camera, engine coolant temp, cylinder temps, door open indicators, how water heater temps, etc) to be connected to one of three computers - maybe arduino or raspberry pi (on in the rear in the bus, one in the middle of the bus and one in the front. Each arduino will be connected to the main computer up front via rj45. I want to do this to avoid having spaghetti snarl of wiring from the rear end of the bus to the front. The bus will be about 40' long. My questions:
1. Is there any easier/cheaper way to do this than using an arduion/raspberry pi? 2. Is there some kind of software that is well suited for designing the interface for the touch screen on the dash?

 

I would stick with Pi because of the graphical nature of what you are
trying to do and the need for a decent OS.

For TS you need a TS controller, you can get them for 4,5, 7 wire TS.
USB or UART or I2C or..... interfaces. Normally the vendor has basic
code library for doing various interfaces.


Regards, Dana.

 

rPi is a good option. Depending on how much you want to DIY there are other options to investigate.

Look at STM32F7 Discovery. Software library now includes TouchGFX.

There is also ITEAD Nextion display.
https://www.itead.cc/wiki/Nextion_HMI_Solution