rally rampage RNHC User manual

USER MANUAL
RAMPAGE NAVIGATION
HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
(RNHC)
with Bluetooth
Manual for the Rampage Navigation Controller version 1.7.3

RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
CONDITIONS AND NOTES FOR USING THIS MANUAL
This is the user manual for using the version 1.7.3 of the Rampage Controller open
source as can be found on our website at https://www.rallyrampage.com
This design and code are made available for free as an open-source DIY project.
Alternatively, the unit can be purchased as a finished built unit, from our website.
This RNHC unit was designed originally by Eugene Beetge from Rally Rampage, South
Africa.
It is made available on this free open-source basis to assist in the support and growth of
the rally, navigation and adventure bike industry, locally and abroad. Any additions,
enhancements, changes or improvements to the project would be appreciated if it is done
under the same conditions of sharing.
This project is done as a passion project and not for immediate financial gain. However,
donations are appreciated and can be made on the website at
https://www.rallyrampage.com
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONDITIONS AND NOTES FOR USING THIS MANUAL 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
UNDERSTANDING THE RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER 4
What is the Rampage Navigation Handlebar Controller? 4
How does the controller actually work? 5
The button box 5
The controller box 5
How its powered 6
Using the controller with your mobile device 6
Apps that it currently works with 7
The four apps that we programmed the controllers buttons for are: 7
Locus Maps 7
OsmAnd 7
Rally Navigator 8
Piste Roadbook Reader 8
THE (RNHC) DESIGN 9
USING YOUR RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER 11
Connecting to your mobile device with Bluetooth 11
Toggle buttons on the controller 11
How to operate your RNHC device 13
Selecting the right app for commands using App Select Mode 13
Using Rider Mode after selecting your soft app on your unit 15
DEFAULT COMMANDS FOR THE APPS 16
SoftApp 1 : Locus Maps 16
SoftApp 2 : Rally Navigator 16
SoftApp 3 : OsmAnd 16
SoftApp 4 : Piste Roadbook Reader 17
Led colours and flashing explained 18
TIPS AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 19
THE END 21
Visit the website at https://www.rallyrampage.com 21
Send an email to [email protected] 21
Send a WhatsApp to +27 82 659 3030 (South Africa) 21
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
UNDERSTANDING THE RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR
CONTROLLER
What is the Rampage Navigation Handlebar Controller?
The RNHC is a small electronic device that is mounted on your motorbike handlebar. It
consists of a button unit, tethered to a small control box that contains the main
electronics, bluetooth and backup battery. This little device uses Bluetooth to connect to
your mobile phone or tablet that you use for navigation. Assuming your navigation device
is mounted in front of you on your motorbike.
Once connected, the RNHC has 5 push buttons and one toggle switch that sends
commands to your mobile to control certain features on your navigation apps on your
mobile device from your motorbike handlebar.
This allows for a much safer and more convenient way to manipulate your navigation
apps while riding. As an example, while riding you can zoom in and out of maps, centre
maps or even turn your mobile screen off to save battery.
The unit in its standard form is programmed to send certain key commands to your
chosen mobile app. Different apps allow for different commands to control their basic
features.
We have preprogrammed our RNHC to send commands to 4 default mobile navigation
Android apps. In reality, you can program it to accommodate up to 7 different apps using
the buttons available on the RNHC unit or even more.
For this unit, we recommend using an Android device for navigating on your bike, as it
allows for more flexibility, user-friendliness and more navigation apps and functionality at
your disposal.
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
How does the controller actually work?
The buttons
The first portion of the unit consists of 5 push buttons and one toggle switch. This part of
the unit is usually mounted on your handlebar on the left next to your grip, where you can
easily access it with your left-hand thumb. Using your thumb, you should be able to push
any of the 5 buttons as well as toggle the switch.
The controller box
Tethered to this button unit is the brain of the system. The small controller box consists of
the remaining electronics, the Bluetooth tech as well as a built-in battery backup. This
controller box can be fitted anywhere on your handlebar or rally tower, limited by the
length of the CAT5 cable tether.
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
How its powered
For power, you can use the built-in battery, or use the USB connector, but it is advisable to
also consider setting up a permanent power supply for the unit using its USB external
plug. If you run the RNHC on permanent power, it will continuously keep the built-in
battery charged for when you need it.
Using the controller with your mobile device
Once the controller is paired with your phone or tablet, using Bluetooth, the unit will send
commands to your phone when you press any of the pushbuttons or toggle the toggle
button.
If you use certain navigation apps on your phone, those commands from the unit can be
used to control the apps on your phone and use some key functionally to navigate.
This allows key navigation functionality, fast and convenient, straight from your handlebar
and thumb, to your navigation app on your phone.
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
Android apps that RNHC currently works with
There are hundreds of fantastic navigation apps (on Google Play Store for Android
devices) out there in the market to navigate from your mobile device. However, after
intensive practical testing and riding, we have narrowed down the default recommended
apps on your mobile to use with the controller. The decision for using these apps was
based mainly on:
● Their capability to be used with external commands and a keyboard type controller. Not
all apps have the ability to use external keys and commands.
● Offline use. The ability to allow offline maps and navigation.
● User interface and user-friendliness.
Two of the apps we accommodate on the device are for normal adventure-type riding
using maps and lines in the form of gpx, kml or kmz file formats. Navigation is traditionally
associated with GPS style devices.
The other two default apps are for electronic roadbooks. Roadbooks are not commonly
known but are very popular in rally-style riding such as Dakar, and allow for an amazing
new experience in riding. Roadbooks carry many advantages over maps but require a
little more skill and knowledge to use. With the rally world turning towards electronic
roadbooks, we see the RNHC as the perfect tool for the amateur rider to get involved in
informal roadbooks events.
The four apps that we programmed the controllers’ buttons for are:
● Locus Maps
○ Locus is a great map-based navigation app with amazing functionality.
○ It runs offline as well as online and allows external controllers such as our
RNHC unit.
○ It works with navigation files that include gpx, kml and kmz formats.
○ LINK: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=menion.android.locus.pro
● OsmAnd
○ Very similar to Locus, this app does the same but with a slightly different user
experience.
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
○ It runs offline as well as online and allows external controllers such as our
RNHC unit.
○ It works with navigation files that include gpx, kml and kmz formats.
○ LINK: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.osmand
●Rally Navigator
○ This app is used for showing and riding with electronic roadbooks on your
mobile device.
○ Using Rally Navigator on your desktop browser also allows you to create your
own roadbooks from your GPX file of Google maps.
○ The app however does not run in portrait mode on your mobile which some
people prefer as it is more in line with a paper-based roadbook.
○ This is the go to app for electronic roadbooks.
○ LINK:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rallynavigator.rallyroadbookre
ader
● Piste Roadbook Reader
○ This roadbooks reader is great and allows for portrait mode riding.
○ Its interface is slightly different to Rally Navigator and less traditional.
○ One of the biggest benefits of Piste is that you can also change your controller
keys from within the app itself. Allowing more flexibility and functions.
○ LINK: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eroadbook
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
THE (RNHC) DESIGN
The design of the RNHC is based on form and function. The following image shows the
different design elements.
The button box is made according to the
open-source design files and will contain 5
push buttons and one toggle switch.
Colours may vary based on what you buy
locally.
At the rear of the button-box are the
screws and plastics to fasten your button
box to your handlebar. The tether cable
exits from behind the box.
This is designed for left-hand use of the
buttons.
Your main unit will have the two flip
switches on the one end as well as the
main mode-LED on the ‘top’ of the unit
sticking out for visibility. Note the stickers
to say POWER and MODE are
recommended to be able to distinguish
between the button functions. Else it can
be very confusing.
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
On the other side of the unit is the exposed
micro USB slot. This must not be covered
as this is used for programming the board
as well as powering the unit. This is also
where you can do the permanent power
option using this USB plug. The USB gap
is extra large to allow the USB cable to go
‘into’ the box and to not damage the USB
plug from riding with minor movements.
We use a normal CAT5 network cable as
the tether between the boxes as it already
has the minimum required 8 strands that
the controller needs.
TIP! A good tip is to place a network
female-female adapter in the middle. This
makes it very convenient to unplug one
portion from the other. Especially if the unit
is fitted onto the bike. You can remove
separate sections for field replacement or
repairs.
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
USING YOUR RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR
CONTROLLER
Connecting to your mobile device with Bluetooth
These days all mobile devices come standard with Bluetooth built-in.
It is easy to connect your unit to your mobile navigation device (phone or tablet).
1. Turn its power on.
2. On your mobile device make sure the Bluetooth is active and search for local available
devices in your area. You should be able to see your Rampage controller become
available.
3. Select the unit from your mobile and click on PAIR. Most Bluetooth devices require a
security PIN, but we made the RNHC to work without a security pin to allow for easy
connection and reconnecting.
4. If the connection between the device and your phone was successful, your mobile
should make a sound (usually like a cricket) to indicate the connection. It will also show
that a 'keyboard' was added to your phone. This is absolutely correct as our controller
loads itself as a Bluetooth keyboard on your phone to send the commands to the apps.
5. Clever little bugger.
Toggle buttons on the controller
Our design includes two toggle buttons on the controller box unit.
● The one toggle button is simply to connect and disconnect the built-in backup battery.
If this is turned on, and you don't have permanent power to the unit, the battery will run
the unit for hours, pending your battery size. If you are running a permanent power
setup on your bike for the unit, turning on the battery button will keep it charged from
the perm power. Without perm power, the battery button becomes your main on and off
power switch.
● The second toggle button is your MODE button. This switches the unit between App
Select Mode and Rider Mode. The modes do the following:
○ App Select Mode
■ App Select Mode is used to select which app on your phone you intend to
use for navigating. This means your unit will send the correct commands
required by your mobile navigation app. It starts sending the commands
when pressing the controller buttons, to your mobile app, when it's turned
back into Rider Mode.
○ Rider Mode
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
■ This Rider Mode is used to send the actual commands to your mobile
while riding.
■ Once you select the appropriate app from the App Select Mode, you
switch back to rider mode and the unit will send the preprogrammed
commands to your phone when you press the various controller push
buttons and toggle switch.
■ Because you have 5 pushbuttons and a toggle switch with two positions,
you can effectively send seven independent commands to your mobile
app to manipulate the associated app on your mobile.
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
How to operate your RNHC device
If you use the device on its normal functionality, you will use both the App Select Mode as
well as the Ride Mode, while navigating and riding.
Selecting the right app for commands using App Select Mode
Let's start by selecting the app you want to use on your mobile and making sure your
RNHC is sending the right commands.
1. When turning on your unit, using the default code on the project, it will start blank
without any soft app selected. You may see this by the green LED flashing when in
Rider Mode.
2. You can turn your unit on with the App Select Button either in Select Mode or Rider
Mode. The led will indicate the mode it's in. You simply need to flip the Mode switch to
change the mode.
a. If your main LED is flashing GREEN on startup, it means your unit does not
have a soft app selected yet and it is in Rider Mode.
b. If you turn the unit on and the red LED is on without flashing, it means your App
Select Button is on and it's already in a state of waiting for your input to select a
soft app.
3. To select the app for your unit you want to use on your mobile:
a. Switch to App Select Mode
i. Thus the red LED will be permanently on
b. Choose one of the four pre-programmed apps by pressing the push buttons on
your controller that corresponds to the app number.
i. The top push button selects app 1 (Locus Maps) the second push button
will select App 2 (Rally Navigator) and so on, for app 3 and app 4.
ii. In App Select Mode
1. Button 1 sets the controller up to send commands for Locus Maps.
2. Button 2 sets the controller up to send commands for Rally
Navigator.
3. Button 3 sets the controller up to send commands for OsmAnd
Maps.
4. Button 4 sets the controller up to send commands for Piste
Roadbook Reader.
c. Each time you press a push button to select app 1 to 4, depending on the app
you intend using on your mobile device, the main led will flash green the amount
of times according to the app number. This is to indicate the unit has the right
app selected.
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
i. For example: if you push button 2 to select soft app 2, Rally Navigation,
the units led will flash twice to indicate the selection.
ii. For example: if you select soft app 3 to use OsmAnd, the green led will
flash three times, showing your selection.
iii. Wait until the led has finished flashing and returns to solid red before
selecting another app or turning to Rider Mode. You need to confirm the
unit knows which app you chose.
d. Pressing Button 5 is magic
i. Button 5 of your push buttons on your controller is programmed to read
the voltage of the unit and give you a status report on your mobile device.
Nifty.
ii. This amazing feature gives you some insight into whether your battery of
the unit is turned on, or if the permanent power is on and it tries to
indicate if your battery might also be charging while on perm power.
iii. If you press button 5 while in App Select Mode, the controller will send a
text to your mobile with the battery info.
iv. To see the text on your mobile device you simply need to be on your
Home screen in Android or any text app such as a Notepad.
v. If you are on your normal home screen on your Android device, the
controller will simply open Google Search and send the text into the text
bar of Google Search. Seeing as it's trying to effectively type a message
for you to show the voltage.
vi. A better option would be to simply open any notepad or text editor and
press the push button 5 on your unit while in App Select Mode. The
controller will send the text to your notepad and you can read the
message which contains the voltage and assumptions.
vii. Fantastic.
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
Using Rider Mode after selecting your soft app on your unit
● Once you have chosen your app and changed the controller’s commands to be
aligned with the app on your phone, you can turn your Mode Switch to Rider Mode.
● Once you have selected your softApp of choice in the App Select Mode, switch
your Mode button back to ride mode.
● Your LED will turn from solid red (App Select Mode) to solid green.
● The green is to show you are in Rider Mode and the fact that it's solid and not
flashing means it has an app selected and knows what to do when you start pressing
push buttons.
● The commands associated with your app will then be sent to your phone according to
the controller push button you press or the toggle switch direction you toggle.
●NOTE: The unit does not start the app automatically on your mobile device. It simply
sends keyboard commands to your mobile device. You will still need to turn on your
mobile and install the app of your choice.
● Open the app you want to use on your mobile, and that one that you selected on your
RNHC must be the same app obviously.
● Once in the app, the commands coming from the controller should be the commands
needed to control the core function of the app. Below is a list of the commands and
their actions coming from the controller.
●NOTE: It's worth noting that Piste Roadbook reader allows you to set the incoming
commands from the app itself. We have thus designed it so that the unit sends normal
unique alphabet letters to the unit which you can then choose in the app according to
the function you need.
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
DEFAULT COMMANDS FOR THE APPS
Standard commands assigned to your controller push buttons and toggle switch
based on the navigation app you intend to use on your mobile
These are the standard commands assigned to each RNHC button for each of the four
apps
SoftApp 1 : Locus Maps
Button
Code Assign
Function
Locus Maps
First push button
Button 1
Zoom in
Volume +
Second push button
Button 2
Zoom out
Volume -
Third push button
Button 3
Map up
r
Fourth push button
Button 4
Center map
c
Fifth push button
Button 5
Display on/off
d
Toggle forward
Button 6
Zoom in
Volume +
Toggle back
Button 7
Zoom out
Volume -
SoftApp 2 : Rally Navigator
Button
Code Assign
Function
Rally Navigator
First push button
Button 1
Trip Up
Volume +
Second push button
Button 2
Trip Down
Volume -
Third push button
Button 3
Not assigned
Not assigned
Fourth push button
Button 4
Scroll Up
Media Next
Fifth push button
Button 5
Scroll Down
Media Previous
Toggle forward
Button 6
Scroll Up
Media Next
Toggle back
Button 7
Scroll Down
Media Previous
SoftApp 3 : OsmAnd
Button
Code Assign
Function
Osmand
First push button
Button 1
Pan Up
Dpad_Up
Second push button
Button 2
Pan Down
Dpad_Down
Third push button
Button 3
Center ?
Keycode_C
Fourth push button
Button 4
Pan Left
Dpad_Left
Fifth push button
Button 5
Pan Right
Dpad_Right
Toggle forward
Button 6
Zoom In
Plus
Toggle back
Button 7
Zoom Out
Minus
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
SoftApp 4 : Piste Roadbook Reader
Button
Code Assign
Function
Piste
First push button
Button 1
Rb Scroll Fwd
w
Second push button
Button 2
Rb Scroll Rev
x
Third push button
Button 3
Trip +
a
Fourth push button
Button 4
Trip -
d
Fifth push button
Button 5
Media Play/Pause
q
Toggle forward
Button 6
Rb Scroll Fwd
d
Toggle back
Button 7
Rb Scroll Rev
q
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
Led colours and flashing explained
The main LED in your unit is a two colour LED. Usually red and green. Using the colours
and flashing of the LED, it will indicate the different states of the unit and apps. By
understanding the LED cookies and flashing behaviour, you can use the LED as an
indicator of the mode the unit is in as well as the apps selected.
Here is a list of colours and flash codes.
● Green LED generally is to indicate Rider Mode.
● Red LED generally is to indicate App Select Mode.
● Green LED flashing shows the unit does not yet have a soft app selected yet. Turn the
mode switch to App Select Mode and select an app for the unit.
● While the red LED is on, indicating it is in App Select Mode, when you press push
buttons 1 to 4 on your controller the red LED will flash green the number of times, of
the app number selected. This is to indicate the unit understands the app you selected.
It's confirming the selection. Wait until it completes the flashing before proceeding.
After flashing green, it will return to solid red. You can then either select a different app
or press button 5 to check voltage or if you are satisfied with your selection, you can
flip the mode switch back to Rider Mode and get going.
● Whilst in App Select Mode, pressing button 5 which is voltage reading, the red LED will
rapidly flash green for 2 seconds indicating it is reading the voltage on the unit, and
typing the result back to your mobile device for you to read. Check your mobile device
as it will receive a text from your unit.
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
TIPS AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
● Use a CAT5 connector between the controller and the buttons
○ We use a normal CAT5 network cable as the tether between the boxes as it
already has the minimum required 8 strands that the controller needs.
○ A good tip is to place a network female-female adapter in the middle. This
makes it very convenient to unplug one portion from the other. Especially if the
unit is fitted onto the bike. This is very convenient to remove separate sections
for field replacement, sweep outs or repairs.
● Consider using an external battery or connector
○ On your Adafruit Board, you have pins on the board to allow hard soldering
wires that are linked to the battery supply. This works great to extend the battery
power outside the box. Depending on your battery use (must be Lipo
rechargeable batteries) you can then have an external connector as an
emergency backup to plug a battery into your unit in the field. In case your
internal battery doesn't work or your USB fails. Just another fail-safe.
● How to switch your LED state from red and green if your LED was soldered incorrectly
○ The Mode LED is a three-pin LED. It is sometimes difficult to solder the LED
legs into place and know which leg represents green and which one represents
red.
○ Don’t stress. You can fix this in the software.
○ Line 41 & 42 in the code version 1.7.3 sets the PINs for the LED. You can
simply swap the values of A0 and A1 to the other and it will change the led
colour.
○ From experience its best to have the colours represent the following modes:
■ RED: App Select Mode
■ GREEN: Riders mode
● Program your own buttons to match apps.
○ With some understanding of the code required, you can program the unit to
send any keyboard keystroke to your unit. Depending on your app on your
mobile, different keyboard commands can be used for different functions on
different mobile device apps.
○ Find out if your Android app allows keyboard command and input. Then get
those commands and simply program them into the code.
● How to start your unit with an existing default soft app loaded.
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RAMPAGE NAVIGATION HANDLEBAR CONTROLLER
Version 1.7.3
○ In code line 70 the unit is set to start with no soft app selected. The green LED
will flash on startup, indicating it doesn't yet have an app selected.
○ This is very convenient if your unit resets while riding as you can identify that it
lost power at some stage.
○ However, if your power is good and constant, you might want to start the unit up
in a default app to avoid having to select a soft app each time.
○ You can easily do this by simply commenting out line 70 in the code and
removing the comment indicators '//' in line 71.
○ Select the app you want by changing the value of soft App according to the 4
apps in the code.
○ By setting this in the active line 71, your unit will start up with the default app
already selected.
○ Easy peasy
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