That would be an interesting combination to test. PM me your email there and I'll add you to the Android test group. I haven't tested that OBD dongle so it might not even connect to it at all until I can support it but worth testing out.
I Made A Thing
- Thread starter SlothBurger
- Start date
A smallish biggish update on this. I spent the last few months building the app and finalising the firmware & got very little sleep. 
The app has been approved by Apple in the App Store and for Open Testing in the Play Store (soon to be fully available in the Play Store after a period of testing). Get in on the Open Testing if you can while it is free and give your feedback. If it doesn't work initially with your engine then there is self-learning built in and it will take a couple of trips to get all the sensors displayed.
Thank you to all the testers who gave their time to testing the app and device. Most should have received their device by now and hopefully will continue reporting any bugs they find.
The device (ESP32-S3) firmware is also ready for primetime (I think). But for the firmware I am going to release it for free to download and install yourself. You would need to have your own OBD Dongle (ELM327 standard - recommend a Carista) and buy your own WaveShare (recommend the 2.8 inch touchscreen version here -> ESP32-S3 2.8inch Round Display Development Board, 480×480, 32-bit LX7 Dual-core Processor, Supports WiFi & Bluetooth, Options For Touch Function, ESP32 With Display | ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-2.8 then install the firmware by flashing it to the device.
To be clear on the app - the app does far more than the device and you can just get the app and use that if you want. But if you get the device you do need to get the app to configure the device on initial setup to get the device working with your OBD.
I won't link either app here as I think it is against the rules but I might put up in the for sale section later. Here are a few photos and screenshots below to whet the appetite. The original idea was to just build an LED device that just flashes red when a regen is happening. Then I wanted the LEDs to count down to the regen and show from green to red LED's. But it's gone a lot further than that. I still prefer the device myself and just leaving that in the van and away you go when you start up. But the app adds a whole other dimension to the regen and trip metrics. The app can connect to both the device and the OBD but not at the same time. When you configure the device initially it then connects to your OBD from then on without the need for the app. But if you want to record trips and GPS you can connect the device to your OBD and then also connect the app to the device and stream the metrics from the device to the app. The app then adds GPS to your trip and shows you where on your journey a regen occurred and how long it took etc. It can record every regen and every trip you make and gives a great insight into your regens/DPF health/driving metrics/regular routes and a lot of other stuff.
One other thing - CooseVW did amazing work on designing and printing a 3D enclosure for the ESP32-S3 2.8 inch screen. The enclosure he made really finishes the device nicely and works with both the touch and non-touch. I think he will do a for sale post later in the for sale section about the enclosure separately.
Any questions or comments just drop them in here and will try answer.
The app has been approved by Apple in the App Store and for Open Testing in the Play Store (soon to be fully available in the Play Store after a period of testing). Get in on the Open Testing if you can while it is free and give your feedback. If it doesn't work initially with your engine then there is self-learning built in and it will take a couple of trips to get all the sensors displayed.Thank you to all the testers who gave their time to testing the app and device. Most should have received their device by now and hopefully will continue reporting any bugs they find.
The device (ESP32-S3) firmware is also ready for primetime (I think). But for the firmware I am going to release it for free to download and install yourself. You would need to have your own OBD Dongle (ELM327 standard - recommend a Carista) and buy your own WaveShare (recommend the 2.8 inch touchscreen version here -> ESP32-S3 2.8inch Round Display Development Board, 480×480, 32-bit LX7 Dual-core Processor, Supports WiFi & Bluetooth, Options For Touch Function, ESP32 With Display | ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-2.8 then install the firmware by flashing it to the device.
To be clear on the app - the app does far more than the device and you can just get the app and use that if you want. But if you get the device you do need to get the app to configure the device on initial setup to get the device working with your OBD.
I won't link either app here as I think it is against the rules but I might put up in the for sale section later. Here are a few photos and screenshots below to whet the appetite. The original idea was to just build an LED device that just flashes red when a regen is happening. Then I wanted the LEDs to count down to the regen and show from green to red LED's. But it's gone a lot further than that. I still prefer the device myself and just leaving that in the van and away you go when you start up. But the app adds a whole other dimension to the regen and trip metrics. The app can connect to both the device and the OBD but not at the same time. When you configure the device initially it then connects to your OBD from then on without the need for the app. But if you want to record trips and GPS you can connect the device to your OBD and then also connect the app to the device and stream the metrics from the device to the app. The app then adds GPS to your trip and shows you where on your journey a regen occurred and how long it took etc. It can record every regen and every trip you make and gives a great insight into your regens/DPF health/driving metrics/regular routes and a lot of other stuff.
One other thing - CooseVW did amazing work on designing and printing a 3D enclosure for the ESP32-S3 2.8 inch screen. The enclosure he made really finishes the device nicely and works with both the touch and non-touch. I think he will do a for sale post later in the for sale section about the enclosure separately.
Any questions or comments just drop them in here and will try answer.
I've used this in its app version as a tester now for a couple of months and certainly recommend it, well worth getting onboard especially as it is currently free!A smallish biggish update on this. I spent the last few months building the app and finalising the firmware & got very little sleep.
Thank you to all the testers who gave their time to testing the app and device. Most should have received their device by now and hopefully will continue reporting any bugs they find.
The device (ESP32-S3) firmware is also ready for primetime (I think). But for the firmware I am going to release it for free to download and install yourself. You would need to have your own OBD Dongle (ELM327 standard - recommend a Carista) and buy your own WaveShare (recommend the 2.8 inch touchscreen version here -> ESP32-S3 2.8inch Round Display Development Board, 480×480, 32-bit LX7 Dual-core Processor, Supports WiFi & Bluetooth, Options For Touch Function, ESP32 With Display | ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-2.8 then install the firmware by flashing it to the device.
To be clear on the app - the app does far more than the device and you can just get the app and use that if you want. But if you get the device you do need to get the app to configure the device on initial setup to get the device working with your OBD.
I won't link either app here as I think it is against the rules but I might put up in the for sale section later. Here are a few photos and screenshots below to whet the appetite. The original idea was to just build an LED device that just flashes red when a regen is happening. Then I wanted the LEDs to count down to the regen and show from green to red LED's. But it's gone a lot further than that. I still prefer the device myself and just leaving that in the van and away you go when you start up. But the app adds a whole other dimension to the regen and trip metrics. The app can connect to both the device and the OBD but not at the same time. When you configure the device initially it then connects to your OBD from then on without the need for the app. But if you want to record trips and GPS you can connect the device to your OBD and then also connect the app to the device and stream the metrics from the device to the app. The app then adds GPS to your trip and shows you where on your journey a regen occurred and how long it took etc. It can record every regen and every trip you make and gives a great insight into your regens/DPF health/driving metrics/regular routes and a lot of other stuff.
One other thing - CooseVW did amazing work on designing and printing a 3D enclosure for the ESP32-S3 2.8 inch screen. The enclosure he made really finishes the device nicely and works with both the touch and non-touch. I think he will do a for sale post later in the for sale section about the enclosure separately.
Any questions or comments just drop them in here and will try answer.
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Get in there my son! Well done @SlothBurger A1+++++
Bravo, @SlothBurger!I’ve been involved in testing this from the early days of the app, right through to the Waveshare device.
As someone who used to religiously fire up a DPF monitoring app every single time I got in the van, I was genuinely intrigued when Joe first showed us all the standalone display.
For the latter part of the testing, I’ve used the Waveshare device with my Carista dongle for around 95% of the time. I’ve also hardwired it to an ignition-live feed using a piggyback fuse holder, so it powers up automatically with the van. No more pressing buttons or launching apps—I just get in, start the engine, and there’s a clear graphical DPF display waiting for me on the dashboard.
The extra metrics Joe has added, such as the trip tracking, are a great touch too. They’re surprisingly interesting to scroll through and give you a much better picture of how the van is being driven over time.
As Joe mentioned, I’ve designed and 3D printed an enclosure for the display. If there’s enough interest, I’ll put a post up in the For Sale section and make them available to anyone who wants one.
You’ve absolutely nailed this, mate. It’s one of those mods that, once you’ve lived with it, you wonder how you managed without it.
I would love an enclosure please! Please pm me and I will send monies! It's currently gripped by an old phone holder!
I’ve been involved in testing this from the early days of the app, right through to the Waveshare device.
As someone who used to religiously fire up a DPF monitoring app every single time I got in the van, I was genuinely intrigued when Joe first showed us all the standalone display.
For the latter part of the testing, I’ve used the Waveshare device with my Carista dongle for around 95% of the time. I’ve also hardwired it to an ignition-live feed using a piggyback fuse holder, so it powers up automatically with the van. No more pressing buttons or launching apps—I just get in, start the engine, and there’s a clear graphical DPF display waiting for me on the dashboard.
The extra metrics Joe has added, such as the trip tracking, are a great touch too. They’re surprisingly interesting to scroll through and give you a much better picture of how the van is being driven over time.
As Joe mentioned, I’ve designed and 3D printed an enclosure for the display. If there’s enough interest, I’ll put a post up in the For Sale section and make them available to anyone who wants one.
You’ve absolutely nailed this, mate. It’s one of those mods that, once you’ve lived with it, you wonder how you managed without it.
As mentioned you need the app to get the device configured to work with your OBD (Carista) initially (otherwise the device won't be able to find your Carista). The ESP32-S3 you can buy yourself and install the firmware onto it. From then on it can work without the app but if you want any future OTA firmware updates you'll need the app. Or you can just get the app and no device and the app will work without the device. What's the engine type of your 2014 van? Most are already supported. In the app you can select your engine type and find out if it works by connecting to it. If it doesn't get a refund from your respective app store or you can contact the support and send on your logs and I can fairly quickly find out the sensors for your van.
Only one I can find that looks like this on the App Store is called DPF Companion priced at £9.99??
Is this the one you’ve got? I don’t mind paying that for such a great product!
That is the correct app but is that in the Apple App Store or the Play Store? It is supposed to be in Open Testing in the Play Store so should be appearing as free for now. Otherwise you might be my first paying customer apart from my Mum!
Apple App Store.That is the correct app but is that in the Apple App Store or the Play Store? It is supposed to be in Open Testing in the Play Store so should be appearing as free for now. Otherwise you might be my first paying customer apart from my Mum!
Thought she was your sister while I was in there
Yup. It's a real live app in the App Store. Apple approved it a few weeks ago. CarPlay included. Even if nobody buys it that will be a proud moment to have an app approved by Apple. I might do a separate post regaling how much effort goes into getting 2 apps and firmware to this point & this is just the beginning. I have a new admiration for anybody who gets an app that far & actually manages to sell too.Apple App Store.
Thought she was your sister while I was in there
I appreciate all the technical expertise on this site. But these are essentially vans presumably designed for what people in vans use them for like driving around from job to job short journeys & longer ones. If this regeneration is so critical & they are not suitable for day to day usage I can’t believe they’ve sold so many. I used mine for work (now retired) so it’s round about town & only longer trips when we go away. Probably about every month, sometimes more. Should I be concerned? Yes of course if the regeneration light comes on the dashboard I would follow the instructions. It’s only happened once & funnily enough it was just as I hit the motorway going to the Lake District.
It's a fair assessment. That was one of the reasons I made the thing to find out how long until a regen starts and when it starts how long until it ends. My van doesn't tell me those things except by revving higher when it starts a regen. I could just stop mid-regen but I think that is not great to do. So now I can plan journeys better based on knowing how much soot has built up. I had not so long ago spend over 400 quid getting my DPF cleaned. I wanted to know when it was doing its thing so I could prolong its life or at least not choke it up any more than I needed to. So this app and devices purpose is to visualise a time remaining countdown — it answers the two key questions that I thought other owners might have:
- "How long approximately. until my next regen starts?" (so I can plan a drive long enough or stop now or keep going)
- "My regen just started — how long approximately until it finishes?" (so I know if I can park or need to keep driving)
