Dakota Digital GRAFIX Installation And Operation Manual

Graphical display instrument system

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GRAFIX

Graphical Display Instrument System

INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL

Please read this before beginning installation or wiring.

IMPORTANT NOTE!

This system has an odometer preset option that is only

available for the first 100 miles of operation. See odometer preset section (p. 31)

for instructions and setup information.

MAN# 650814

Table of Contents

Summary of Contents for Dakota Digital GRAFIX

Page 1 GRAFIX Graphical Display Instrument System INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL Please read this before beginning installation or wiring. IMPORTANT NOTE! This system has an odometer preset option that is only available for the first 100 miles of operation. See odometer preset section (p. 31) for instructions and setup information.
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Table of Contents ..........................2 Introduction ............................3 GRAFIX Series System Features ......................3 General Information ..........................5 Care and Cleaning ..........................5 GRAFIX System Installation ....................... 5 Control Box Mounting ........................5 Wiring ..............................6 Terminal Descriptions ........................7 Global Feature Details ........................
Page 3: Introduction
Introduction Thank you for purchasing a GRAFIX system from DAKOTA DIGITAL. The GRAFIX series represents the latest in aftermarket electronic dashboard technology for car and truck enthusiasts. The GRAFIX system combines modern digital electronics with user configuration flexibility not found in any other aftermarket Instrument Cluster.
Page 4 • 4x4 indicator (Configurable with custom label) • Wait to start indicator (Configurable with custom label) • Gear position w/ use of Dakota Digital GSS universal gear shift kit (purchased separately) • Two extra indicators (EX+, EX-) inputs with customizable labels Built-in Audible feedback •...
Page 5: General Information
Care and Cleaning The tinted lens on the front of the GRAFIX system can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution or common glass cleaners on a damp cloth. Use a soft cloth such as a micro-fiber for wiping the lens clean.
Page 6: Wiring
On the pages that follow, we describe the function of each terminal, what they do, and how to wire them. To get up and running quickly, see the supplied GRAFIX QUICK START GUIDE. Below is a simplified block diagram showing Control Box connections in a typical application.
Page 7: Terminal Descriptions
Terminal Descriptions UPDATE Port The UPDATE port found on the top side of the GRAFIX Control Box is used to keep the installed GRAFIX up to date with all the latest system enhancements and new features from Dakota Digital –...
Page 8 GROUND • This is the main ground for the GRAFIX system. A wire should be run from this terminal to the vehicle’s main chassis ground. Use 18 AWG or larger wire to ensure sufficient grounding.
Page 9 “TACH”. If a diesel engine is being used, you will need a tach interface such as Dakota Digital’s SGI-100BT. Be aware of the cylinder setting when using computer outputs or reading the tach signal from an ECU. Some GM LS-based engines require the tach to be set up for a 4 cylinder, low voltage signal when reading from the ECU even though it is a V8 engine.
Page 10 • If you need the warn output to be “active high” or provide a +12V voltage to power something larger than 4 Watt, a standard 12V relay such as Dakota Digital RLY-1 can be used to accomplish this. WARN OUT •...
Page 11 • Dakota Digital supplies a 3-wire sensor for most of its kits, SEN-01-5. If you are using this sensor, the white wire is the speed signal; connect to SPD SIG. The red and black wires in the cable are power and ground (5V DC) and their connection is discussed in the SPEED INPUT –...
Page 12 • This is the ground reference used for two-wire water temp sensors. This will connect to one of the wires from the Dakota Digital SEN-04-5. The other wire will connect to the SIG terminal, and it doesn’t matter which wire goes into either location.
Page 13 • Dakota Digital recommends that you run two wires back to the fuel level sensor to insure proper grounds. Use the FUEL INPUT - GND and FUEL INPUT - SIG terminals and run a twisted pair of wires back to your fuel level sensor.
Page 14 • The GEAR terminal is used for the gear shift indicator. The indicator is built into every system, but will not light up unless a Dakota Digital GSS- gear shift sending unit is connected, telling the system what gear the transmission is in. The gear shift sending unit is not included with the system and must be purchased separately if desired.
Page 15 • The RIGHT terminal is activated by a 12 volt signal from the turn signal flasher. When this terminal has 12 volts, a green arrow will light up on the GRAFIX Instrument Cluster. An existing wire from the vehicle for the right turn indicator can be used or a new wire can be connected from the turn signal flasher or power wire feeding the right turn signal bulb.
Page 16 Check Engine or Service Engine indicator. DIM (+) • The display parameters on the TFTs of the GRAFIX system are designed to change color when the headlights are turned on, i.e. night time driving. Connect the DIM terminal to the taillight or parking light circuit so it has +12 volts whenever the headlights are on.
Page 17: Global Feature Details
Message Center Most of the GRAFIX user interaction is accomplished through the use of the MAIN MENU and the operation details that follow below. An exception to using the MAIN MENU, is the navigation through information and warning the messages displayed in the Message Center.
Page 18 For ease of use and quick access to the messages configured and displayed in the Message Center(s) when the GRAFIX is in ‘Normal Operation’, the user can simply rotate and tap the Control Knob to navigate through the messages in order to change the Message Group that is displayed, or the user can rotate the knob to select a specific Message Area item for clearing the previously captured data.
Page 19: Grafix Warning System
Instrument Cluster. This is the MAIN MENU, and is the ‘root’ menu for access to all of the GRAFIX’s sub-menus (other than the Message Groups mentioned above).
Page 20: Hi Viz (High Visibility On Or Off)
SETUP: Access to sub-menus for the setup of interfaces and other GRAFIX features such as BIMs and sensors, warning points, camera setup, system demonstration routine, and full system reset. In depth operation details of the SETUP sub-menu items are below in the Detailed Instructions section of the manual.
Page 21: System Sub-Menu 'Quick View
Below is the list of MAIN-SYSTEM sub-menu items. There is a brief description of use here, and there is also popup guidance on the GRAFIX Instrument Cluster TFT as the user steps through the sub-menus with the Control Knob. For most of the items, find more detailed descriptions and use in the Detailed Instructions below.
Page 22 Exit EXTRA LABEL INPUT sub-menu DOOR OPEN Configuration of DOOR OPEN trigger BACK Exit EXTRA LABEL sub-menu START IMAGE DEFAULT Display factory GRAFIX on start up CUSTOM Display custom image BACK Exit START IMAGE sub-menu BACK Exit DISPLAY sub-menu INFO...
Page 23 voltage on each TFT module. BACK Exit DISPLAY sub-menu BACK Exit INFO sub-menu SWITCH DURATION Select length of Control Knob rotation tone VOLUME Select the sound level of the rotation tone TONE Select the frequency of the rotation tone SPD CNT VOL Select the tone level for monitoring speed counts BACK Exit SWITCH sub-menu...
Page 24: Setup Sub-Menu 'Quick View
Below is the list of MAIN-SETUP sub-menu items. There is a brief description of use here, and there is also popup guidance on the GRAFIX as the user steps through the sub-menus on the Instrument Cluster with the Control Knob. For some of the items, find more descriptions and use in the Detailed Instructions below.
Page 25 BACK Exit VOLT setup menu WATER INPUT SENSOR Select between a wired sensor Select standard Dakota Digital sensor DD CUSTOM Select customized DD reading OFFEST Select offset to sensor reading (-20F - +20F or -11C - +11C) BACK Exit SENSOR menu...
Page 26: Detailed Instructions
Connect the sensors as described in this document or the Quickstart guide, and get an initial taste of what the GRAFIX is all about. But then, press the Control Knob and navigate to SYSTEM-LAYOUTS in the MAIN MENU and the GRAFIX experience truly takes off.
Page 27 The theme used in a layout can be changed to any one of these four themes. When scrolling through themes, the highlighted theme will be seen on the GRAFIX Instrument Cluster, allowing a visual ‘preview’ before the theme selection.
Page 28 GAUGE Setup The gauge setup sub-menu is where the user can configure the GRAFIX to display the available system readings in their own preferred gauge style and location on the Instrument Cluster. The best way to experience this unmatched flexibility is to go through the menus below.
Page 29 • Rotate to highlight GAUGES in the list, and tap knob to select • Following the instruction popup on TFT, rotate knob o While rotating, notice the editable areas will highlight on the GRAFIX Instrument Cluster o When the desired REGION is highlighted, tap to select (This step is skipped for some Regions which only have one arrangement) •...
Page 30 ▪ Select BACK to return to LAYOUT edit menu COPY FROM existing layout • Once a desired LAYOUT is setup/designed on the GRAFIX system, the COPY FROM feature allows the user to easily start from that layout and then make specific changes, without needing to go through all the above steps.
Page 31: Display (Intensity, Turn Remind, Gear, Set Odo, Extra Label, Start Image)
DAYTIME operation regardless of the MANUAL INTENSITY setting. TURN REMIND If the turn indicators are wired to the GRAFIX Control Box, this setting allows a turn indicator to be shown on the GRAFIX Instrument Cluster when the vehicle turn signal is ‘engaged’, and the SHOW TRN IND is enabled.
Page 32 • The system will return to the DISPLAY menu with SET ODOM highlighted. EXTRA LABEL This is a list of hardware triggers that can be can be wired to the GRAFIX Control Box. As discussed below these include defined default factory triggers, as well as user defined triggers that include custom labels that will be displayed on the GRAFIX Instrument Cluster when activated.
Page 33 BACK (Return to MAIN-SYSTEM-DISPLAY menu) START IMAGE: menu On power up of the GRAFIX, the ‘DAKOTA DIGITAL’ logo and the factory installed ‘GRAFIX’ logo will be displayed on the Instrument Cluster. A ‘CUSTOM’ image can be displayed in place of the GRAFIX logo at startup (key on) by selecting the CUSTOM setting in the MAIN-SYSTEM- DISPLAY-START menu list.
Page 34: Info (Sensor, Gps, Version, Display)
As the knob is rotated through the list, the associated TFT on the Instrument Cluster will be highlighted, as the other display intensities is reduced, tap knob to select Note: If there is only one TFT in the GRAFIX system, only DISP1 will be selectable.
Page 35: Update (Themes, Operational Sw, Start Image)
GRAFIX files in to the UPDATE port on the Control Box • With the key in the ON position and the GRAFIX system in Normal Operation, tap the knob • The MAIN MENU will be displayed, rotate knob to SYSTEM, tap to select •...
Page 36: Setup
Note: When a theme is updated, any stored LAYOUT on the GRAFIX using that theme #, will now display the new theme when that layout is selected. START IMAGE: By default from the factory, most GRAFIX systems bootup displaying the “DAKOTA DIGITAL”...
Page 37: Bluetooth (Setting Up Bluetooth)
Note: The DDA-XXXX line item can be highlighted and selected, but a tap will function as a BACK, and return user to the MAIN-SETUP sub-menu. OFF: Having ‘OFF’ selected will not allow the GRAFIX to be recognized or connected to by an external device via the Dakota Digital app.
Page 38 Note: If no GPS signal is available, Dakota Digital recommends you start with the Auto Cal method to get the speedometer close. If you find it’s reading too fast/slow after the Auto Cal, then attempt the Adjust mode. • Turn on ignition •...
Page 39 This sub-menu is used to set the speed sensor input type. You can use the supplied pulse generator or existing speed sensor for most applications. You can also read the speed signal with the use of a bus interface module (BIM). Dakota Digital offers a BIM-01-x that will allow MAN# 650814...
Page 40: Tach (Tachometer Setup)
2,200 – 14,800. The digital tachometer will read from 300 – 17,500 RPM. You can also read the tach signal with the use of a bus interface module (BIM). Dakota Digital offers a BIM-01-X that will allow you to read the tachometer signal from an ECU if you are installing the system in a vehicle equipped with the OBDII port or a drivetrain from a newer vehicle, most 1996 and newer vehicles have this.
Page 41: Volt (Voltmeter Warning Setup)
BACK (exit TACH setup sub-menu) VOLT (Voltmeter warning setup) The volt setup allows the user to set warnings point that will trigger the configured GRAFIX Warning Systems if violated. Whenever the voltage reading is above or below the warning values, and the engine is running, the warnings will occur.
Page 42: Oil (Oil Pressure Setup)
The Dakota Digital BIM-01-X will allow you to read the engine temp signal from an ECU if you are installing the GRAFIX system in a vehicle equipped with the OBDII port or a drivetrain from a newer vehicle. Most 1996 and newer vehicles have this OBDII port.
Page 43: Fuel (Fuel Sender Setup)
FUEL (Fuel sender setup) The Control Box is able to read 10 of the most common fuel level sensors found in American-built vehicles 1955 and newer, as well as many aftermarket sensors. The vast majority of customers will use one of the preset options, but if your fuel gauge won’t read correctly with one of the 10 presets, the system can be programmed to “learn”...
Page 44: Bim (Bus Interface Module Setup)
These readings can be added into any of the GRAFIX Instrument Cluster layouts through the MAIN-SYSTEM-LATOUTS-GAUGES menu and setting up the reading in the desired region. The Message Area groups for the BIM can also be setup from the MAIN-SYSTEM-LAYOUTS-MSG GROUPS menu.
Page 45 The available warning violations include: BIM CH 1-16 (where each installed/configured BIM accessory has an assigned channel #. If the BIM detects a violation, the GRAFIX will report the warning), TACH, WATER, OIL, VOLTS, FUEL, EX+, EX-, REVERSE, and BACK.
Page 46: Gforce (Gforce Meter Setup)
SET LEVEL: When the GRAFIX system is firmly installed in the vehicle, and the vehicle is in a level location, pressing this SET LEVEL will give the GRAFIX an orientation calibration value for this known X, Y and Z reference in this stopped position.
Page 47: Camera (Camera Trigger Setup)
In order for the GRAFIX system to display the camera’s video, the Instrument Cluster must be informed by an external trigger to switch to the camera video input. This can be handled in multiple ways, and are described below in the TRIGGER menu selection.
Page 48: Demo Mode (Demonstration Mode Activation)
FULL RESET (Full factory reset) If there is ever a situation where the GRAFIX system needs to get back to default factory settings, this Full Reset will do just that. Maybe an engine or drivetrain swap? Maybe the GRAFIX system is removed from one vehicle and installed in another? May the user just doesn’t like what they...
Page 49: Glossary Of Terms
Note: RESET ALL in the edit MAIN-SYSTEM-LAYOUT menu will reset the current layout to the factory defaults for that layout. Normal Operation: Is defined as the GRAFIX system not displaying any menu or warning boxes on the Instrument Cluster, and with the Message Center/Message Area line items clearly visible, along with the gauges and readings on the selected layout.
Page 50: Indicators
TFT: Acronym for Twisted-Film-Transistor, and is a type of LCD (Liquid-Crystal Display) used in the GRAFIX system to display information to the user. Theme: A theme is one of four factory installed graphics packages that present various gauge styles, fonts, and reading presentation options. The theme used in a layout can be changed to any one of the four installed themes.
Page 51: Troubleshooting Guide
Control Box may not be getting Check if the Control Box has a ground. a proper ground connection. Contact Dakota Digital’s service The Control Box may have an internal problem department with a description of the problem.
Page 52 Symptom Possible Problem Solution ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The tachometer reading The tachometer signal wire is Check the connections at both is incorrect. loose or broken. ends of the wire. The engine cylinder setting is Refer to the tach setup section incorrect. of the installation manual. The speedometer will The speed sending unit is not Check that all speed sending...
Page 53 Symptom Possible Problem Solution ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Control Box may be set for Refer to “Fuel Setup” The fuel gauge reads backwards, incorrectly, the wrong type of fuel sensor. section of the installation manual or does not change. to ensure that the settings match your fuel sensor.
Page 54 Symptom Possible Problem Solution ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The check engine The Control Box ENGINE terminal This feature is designed to work indicator does not is not connected to an EFI with engine control systems that operate properly. control module. provide an active low signal. The check engine The Engine Control Module Connect a light or similar load...
Page 55 GRAFIX Series Specifications SUPPLY Voltage Range (BAT) 8 to 23 V Ignition > 8 V INPUTS (with 12V power) Active High Low Max Min High High, Left, Right, Gear, Wait, DIM, EX+ Active Low Low Max Min High SW:L,SW:R, Check,...
Page 56: Service And Repair
SERVICE AND REPAIR DAKOTA DIGITAL offers complete service and repair of its product line. In addition, technical support is available to help you work through any questions or problems you may be having installing one of our products. Please read through the Troubleshooting Guide. There, you will find the solution to most problems.