Introduction: Quick and Dirty RC Car/vehicle GPS Speedometer Using Esp32/neo-6m

About: We are a father daughter team who have a shared passion in making things, which we do as a joint pass time. We are experienced, amateurs (not sure of the correct word for that lol).

I bought a cheap 2nd hand rolling RC car chassis as a fixer up-er, after restoring the car to a point where I could drive it I was surprised to see how rapid it was. I was simply curious as to how fast it actually was. Upon pricing a brand RC speedo I was surprised to find out how expensive a GPS speedo actually is , especially as I knew I could build one for about £15 worth of parts.

Supplies

DC DC 3V-15V To 3.3V 4.2V 5V 9V 12V Adjustable Buck Boost Module (Set to 5V output)

TP4056 5V 1A Micro USB 18650 Lithium Battery Charging and Protection Board

GPS Module NEO-6M GY-NEO6MV2 with Antenna

ESP32 WROOM

18650 or equivalent battery (I used a recycled one out of a vape)

A Switch

Step 1:

Connect the components as in the diagram


NEO 6M RX --------> pin 17 esp32

NEO 6M TX ----------> pin 16 esp32

Step 2:

you will also need arduino IDE

https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Download-and-Install-Arduino-IDE/


ESP 32 libraries

https://www.instructables.com/Installing-ESP32-on-Arduino-IDE-the-Easy-Method/


install GPS library

See Pic


use the code in the INO to programme your circuit

Step 3:

install a Bluetooth Serial Software on your phone

android

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.kai_morich.serial_bluetooth_terminal&hl=en_GB


IOS

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ble-to-serial-terminal/id1238004134


connect to the RC_Speedo device over Bluetooth open the install Bluetooth serial App and connect to the RC_Speedo device


h for help

1 to start the gps speedo

2 to stop the gps speedo

3 to return the max speed the unit moved while active.

9 to reset/clear the max speed value


Step 4:

Step 5:

these files are a really basic box to 3d print it just does the job and thats it lol, it requires hot gluing together, it also helps if bits of foam are added to protect the electronics in case of a crash

Step 6:

As a final note the RC car was a traxxas rustler 2wd, I fitted a 3660 3300kv motor with an 80 amp esc and it can do 41MPH :)