as an 'on neded occasion' designer i had also looked into PIC programming for other projects, it takes of time to learn, once you have mastered it then you can get on a and design - but i'm not lever enough
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my designs tend to be for small run bespoke projects usually to do with security systems that need 'specials', its just not viable to otherwise to spend the time on learning it.
assuming a member has this skill already, to emulate in a PIC for the C5 Pod you would have to know all the characteristics of inputs and outputs needed to be programed into the PIC before you could proceed with design, so it makes it a tall order imo for whoever has a crack at it.
imo perhaps the way forward is to use the scooter control kits with modern displays, i got mine off Ebay for about £12 with the intention of installing it into my C5 - when ever i get the time its a battery volt indicator and condition indicator meter with alarms for low voltage, also has internal and external external temperature sensor, with a button to switch to choose between them, its about the same size as the pod display, it is LCD and backlit, so far easier to see.
intend to attach the external sensor onto the motor
if the above works out then although the C5 won't be 'original' it will have a viable alternative.
regs
alan