Best open source tool for creating wiring diagrams

Free and Open Source Engine Management discussions excluding more specific things on this board.
Post Reply
User avatar
sry_not4sale
LQFP144 - On Top Of The Game
Posts: 568
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:47 am
Location: New Zealand, land of the long white burnout
Contact:

Best open source tool for creating wiring diagrams

Post by sry_not4sale »

Well time has come to rewire the cosmo! The standard abacus of a computer isn't cutting it so am upgrading to a MS ( and then FreeEms later ;) )...

I want to map out the standard harness to help others (as it is impossible to find complete diagrams in english for the rotary turbo option), and then of course design a new harness.

Does anyone have any software they could recommend??

Thanks in advance,
Aaron
Owner / Builder: 1983 Mazda Cosmo 12at (1200cc 2-rotor turbo) coupe [SPASTK]
165hp @ 6psi standard - fastest production car in japan Oct 82
User avatar
Fred
Moderator
Posts: 15431
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:31 pm
Location: Home sweet home!
Contact:

Re: Best open source tool for creating wiring diagrams

Post by Fred »

I don't know about wiring diagram software, but I would be very wary of using OEM wiring with a MS or even FreeEMS one day. It can be made to work, yes, but the oem grounding scheme must be adhered to, and often they use appalling grounding locations and bodgy power feeds too. I would wire along side it if I were you, or replace it all together. Also bare in mind that that wiring is ?? 10 - 30 years old? It's not like it used to be in there. Just a few thoughts for you :-)

Admin.
DIYEFI.org - where Open Source means Open Source, and Free means Freedom
FreeEMS.org - the open source engine management system
FreeEMS dev diary and its comments thread and my turbo truck!
n00bs, do NOT PM or email tech questions! Use the forum!
The ever growing list of FreeEMS success stories!
User avatar
sry_not4sale
LQFP144 - On Top Of The Game
Posts: 568
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:47 am
Location: New Zealand, land of the long white burnout
Contact:

Re: Best open source tool for creating wiring diagrams

Post by sry_not4sale »

Yeah, I am rewiring from scratch. The standard loom and grounds are shocking. Also it has been molested in a few places, so a few things do not work properly.

Most of loom is excess to suit the other motor, emission and interior configurations.
Owner / Builder: 1983 Mazda Cosmo 12at (1200cc 2-rotor turbo) coupe [SPASTK]
165hp @ 6psi standard - fastest production car in japan Oct 82
slacker.cam
QFP80 - Contributor
Posts: 69
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:25 pm

Re: Best open source tool for creating wiring diagrams

Post by slacker.cam »

Many people use Microsoft Visio for this kind of stuff. I have a friend who does motorsport wiring and he makes some quite good looking diagrams with it. Its not open-source obviously.

Having said that, i have found Visio quite frustrating at times but that was doing pneumatic diagrams, not electrical. If you're a windows user and have Office Pro then I'd give it a try and see what you think.

Cam
User avatar
sry_not4sale
LQFP144 - On Top Of The Game
Posts: 568
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:47 am
Location: New Zealand, land of the long white burnout
Contact:

Re: Best open source tool for creating wiring diagrams

Post by sry_not4sale »

Yeah I saw it mentioned on the Ausrotary forum, couldn't hurt to have a look :)
Owner / Builder: 1983 Mazda Cosmo 12at (1200cc 2-rotor turbo) coupe [SPASTK]
165hp @ 6psi standard - fastest production car in japan Oct 82
User avatar
Fred
Moderator
Posts: 15431
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:31 pm
Location: Home sweet home!
Contact:

Re: Best open source tool for creating wiring diagrams

Post by Fred »

There are a few tools for doing code design that you could use for that I guess. Have you done an apt-cache search?

There may be something specifically for it.

Admin.
DIYEFI.org - where Open Source means Open Source, and Free means Freedom
FreeEMS.org - the open source engine management system
FreeEMS dev diary and its comments thread and my turbo truck!
n00bs, do NOT PM or email tech questions! Use the forum!
The ever growing list of FreeEMS success stories!
L98TPI
TO220 - Visibile
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:59 am

Re: Best open source tool for creating wiring diagrams

Post by L98TPI »

I have used TinyCAD for diagrams. I have done micro p boards in it and exported the net list to FreePCB and sent the gerbers to Advanced Circuits. They came out great. Tiny CAD works fine for wiring and other things. There is a easy to use symbol editor too. Its interface is Viso like (more like DOS Orcad) gui that knows netlists and part names and labeling conventions. And they are both free! 8-)

ME
Any tool can be the right tool...
User avatar
Fred
Moderator
Posts: 15431
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:31 pm
Location: Home sweet home!
Contact:

Re: Best open source tool for creating wiring diagrams

Post by Fred »

L98TPI wrote:ME
:lol:

:lol2:
DIYEFI.org - where Open Source means Open Source, and Free means Freedom
FreeEMS.org - the open source engine management system
FreeEMS dev diary and its comments thread and my turbo truck!
n00bs, do NOT PM or email tech questions! Use the forum!
The ever growing list of FreeEMS success stories!
L98TPI
TO220 - Visibile
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:59 am

Re: Best open source tool for creating wiring diagrams

Post by L98TPI »

No really thats my initials.
Any tool can be the right tool...
User avatar
Fred
Moderator
Posts: 15431
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:31 pm
Location: Home sweet home!
Contact:

Re: Best open source tool for creating wiring diagrams

Post by Fred »

My apologies! So many people with pseudonyms on here, it's easy to make that assumption :-)

Welcome along!

Fred.
DIYEFI.org - where Open Source means Open Source, and Free means Freedom
FreeEMS.org - the open source engine management system
FreeEMS dev diary and its comments thread and my turbo truck!
n00bs, do NOT PM or email tech questions! Use the forum!
The ever growing list of FreeEMS success stories!
Post Reply