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2.9.6 BIM-17-2 (Compass/Outside Temperature Module)

Dakota Digital BIM-17-2 Compass/Temperature

Type: Digital Compass / Outside Air Temperature Module

Model: BIM-17-2

Manufacturer: Dakota Digital

Product Page: Compass w/Outside Temperature Module

Overview

8-direction digital compass with outside air temperature sensor. Displays compass heading and outside temperature in dashboard message center.

Mounting: HDPE panel on firewall (behind dashboard)

Power: Via BIM/IO cable from HDX control box (no separate power wiring)

Specifications

Compass:

  • Directions: 8-point (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW)
  • Internal Resolution: 1° (displayed as 8 directions)
  • Calibration: Automatic via internal accelerometers
  • Current Draw: Negligible — bus-powered via the HDX BIM/IO cable (no separate feed); draw is included in the HDX system budget on PMU OUT9 (25A cap, ~12A typ). Dakota Digital publishes no per-module current for these data modules (only power modules like the BIM-RGB, 7.4A, list a figure).

Temperature (SEN-15-1 Sender Included):

  • Range: -40°F to 255°F
  • Resolution: 1°F
  • Warning Threshold: Configurable (-24°F to 40°F for low temp warning)
  • Sensor Mounting: Grille area (behind grille, out of direct airflow)

Wiring

Connection Wire Gauge Source Destination Distance Notes
Constant 18 AWG ✓ Critical Cabin PDU Slot 6 (TBD #144) BIM-17-2 power ~1-2 ft BIM CONSTANT power — may be bus-powered via BIM/IO cable instead
BIM/IO Proprietary HDX control box BIM-17-2 input Varies Data via daisy-chain
Temp Probe Sensor wire BIM-17-2 SEN-15-1 (grille area) ~6-8 ft Through firewall Grommet 6

Firewall Penetration:

  • Temperature probe wire from BIM-17-2 (HDPE panel, cabin side) → Grommet 6 → grille area
  • See Firewall Ingress for Grommet 6 routing details

Display Integration

Dashboard Message Center:

  • Compass heading: 8-direction display (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW)
  • Outside temperature: Numeric display with degree symbol
  • Low temperature warning: Configurable threshold (ice warning)

Compass vs. GPS-50-2 Comparison

Note: GPS-50-2 also provides compass functionality. Redundant with BIM-17-2 compass if both modules are used.

Feature BIM-17-2 Compass GPS-50-2 Compass
Directions 8-point (N, NE, E, etc.) Digital heading
Source Internal compass module GPS satellite-based
Accuracy 1° internal resolution GPS-dependent
Stationary Works when stopped Requires vehicle movement
Calibration Automatic Automatic

Recommendation:

  • Use BIM-17-2 for primary compass (works at standstill)
  • Use GPS-50-2 compass as backup or if BIM-17-2 not installed

Outstanding Items

🔴 Critical (2)

High (7)

📋 Medium (3)

  • Horn button → PMU In 1 wiring path through steering column (#152) — PMU In 1 (horn request) lists "steering wheel button" as its source, and the horn page puts the button on the steering-wheel PTT bracket — but no wire path, gauge, or connector is defined for how the button contact reaches PMU In 1 through/around the steering column. Street-legal item with an under-specified signal path.
  • iBooster Wiring Harness Selection (#105) — Select the Bosch iBooster (Gen 2) wiring harness: Tulay's Gen 2 universal (plug-and-play) vs EVcreate Gen 2 connector kit (DIY). Decision pending donor arrival and pigtail condition inspection. Tracked in the purchase tracker but was missing a TBD issue.
  • Axle Brake Flex Hose Length (#86) — DOT (FMVSS 106) braided-stainless extended-length flex at each axle - length blocked on axle + suspension selection (Section 10); size to full droop, do not cut until ride height fixed

🔍 Verify (5)

  • iBooster standby current spec (ignition-off test value) (#151) — The engine-systems testing checklist includes "Verify iBooster standby current within spec (ignition OFF)" but no standby-current spec value is documented anywhere (the brake-booster page does not state one). The test step cannot be completed as written.
  • WAIT-to-start lamp polarity: ECM Pin 35 active-low vs HDX input active-high (#150) — ECM Pin 35 (WAIT lamp, yellow) is active LOW (~0V when WAIT on, ~+12V off); the HDX indicator input is documented as active HIGH. If wired without resolving this, the cold-start indicator reads inverted — and the documented cold-start procedure depends entirely on watching the WAIT lamp.
  • Restomod Air HVAC integration — verify A/C request wiring to PMU In 9 + blower draw (#146) — The factory TJ HVAC is replaced by a custom Restomod Air electronic HVAC kit (ordered, owner-confirmed 2026-06-11) — this resolves the original "no A/C request source post-PCM-delete" gap. Restomod Air kits are fully electronic (servo-driven doors, no vacuum), and the control head generates the A/C request: compressor-engage output (12V) → trinary pressure switch (30/406 psi cutouts) → PMU In 9. PMU logic then drives OUT17 → compressor clutch.
  • AMOT 4261M 2.8″ intake air-path connection OD / reducer coupler to 2.125″ turbo inlet (#129) — The 4261M02 is a wafer butterfly valve that sleeves into a 2.8″ (71 mm) nominal intake duct; the AMOT datasheet (4261M_Air_Shutoff_Valve_0119rev2) publishes only nominal size (71 mm), bore (61 mm / 2.4″), and overall envelope — not the air-path spigot/wafer OD or clamp interface. The NPT thread in part number 4261M02A027-AA (actuator code 27) is the pneumatic control port, not the air path.
  • Grid Heater Current (#42) — Design value 80A - verify via element resistance measurement during installation (~0.15 ohm @ 12V).

Build Tasks

  • Determine outside temperature probe mounting location in grille area
  • Determine primary compass source (BIM-17-2 vs GPS-50-2)