practical embedded, llc



KELLY CONTROLLER DASHBOARD



User's GUIDE



The Kelly Controller Dashboard Android app provides a configurable dashboard for your Controller Area Network (CAN) enabled Kelly KLS motor controller. The app requires your KLS controller to have the CAN module installed. Not all KLS controllers are shipped with the CAN module installed, so you will need to confirm if your controller supports CAN.


The app is designed to operate ONLY with the CAN broadcast protocol specified here by Kelly Controller for KLS sinusoidal wave controllers. The app can be modified to support any published CAN protocol. If interested please contact us at support@practicalembedded.com.


The app only monitors data from the controller. There is no capability to tune your controller through the CAN interface. You can however configure the dashboard to your vehicle configuration. Note that the app setup menu is disabled while the vehicle is moving to prevent driver distraction.


The app display will not update until the CAN to USB-C serial converter is attached to your Android device and CAN messages are received from the controller. There is a Demo Mode with simulated data where you can review the app dashboard display functions and access the setup menu.


The app does not require any wireless network, Bluetooth, or cell coverage to operate. The app does not require the use of GPS, although you can optionally choose to use GPS for position and to aid the speed calculation.


The following sections describe the process to connect the CAN to serial converter and configure the app for your vehicle configuration.



warning



Avoid distracted driving. Safe operation is the driver's responsibility. Only configure Kelly Controller Dashboard while stationary. The Setup menu is disabled once the motor is spinning. Mount your device securely. By using this app, you acknowledge that Practical Embedded, LLC bears no liability for accidents, injuries, damages, or losses resulting from use of the CAN to serial converter or the application.



The app is intended to be a fun and inexpensive way to add data monitoring to your Kelly KLS controller. The app is not a safety device and the data accuracy is not guaranteed. Always default to your vehicle's OEM display (if provided) for the most accurate information.


You must agree to the Terms of Service prior to using the app.


Kelly Controller Dashboard does not collect your personnel information or track you. Please review the Privacy Policy.



Installation





IMPORTANT


Installation of the CAN to USB-C serial converter requires access to vehicle electrical wiring and CAN bus connections. Users should possess a basic understanding of vehicle electrical systems, CAN communications, and safe wiring practices before attempting installation. If you are uncertain about any aspect of the installation, consult a qualified technician.



Connect the two CAN signal wires (H), (L), and the ground (G) from your Kelly controller wire harness to the labeled pins on the converter. The (H, L) signal wires should be shielded, twisted pair, minimum 24 AWG, 120 Ohm impedance. Check your Kelly Controller User's Manual for the CAN pinout on your harness. Next, use a standard USB-C cable to connect to your device. The converter is powered over USB and contains a built-in 120 Ohm CAN termination resistor. You will need to disconnect the resistor solder jumper if wiring the converter as a CAN stub.



Keep the converter and your device close and away from the motor and controller by running the CAN bus longer and the USB cable shorter. CAN bus is robust against system noise. Ground the CAN bus cable shield at one end only, preferably the controller end. Never connect the shield to the CAN ground. The CAN ground should be a common ground between all CAN devices. Review the SAE J1939/11 standard for more details. A kit containing the converter, an enclosure, plus CAN J1939 wire and a USB-C cable is available from our Amazon store.



Connect the CAN to serial converter to your device then launch the app. The converter will be identified on a selectable list. Click on the CdcAcm item to start the user interface. You will need to grant permission for the USB converter to connect to your device the first time you run the app. If you accept, the app will launch whenever the device is connected. This is the preferable option since the app willl seamlessly reconnect if there is a transfer error during operation. If the converter does not appear on the list, select Refresh from the pull down menu.



overview



1. Motor or controller overheat warning

2. Battery voltage meter

3. Throttle level graph

4. Motor temperature meter

5. Electrical fault

6. Menu

7. Speedometer

8. Boost mode enabled

9. Enable GPS operation

10. Speed calibration

11. Reset the chronograph and lap count

12. Lap counter

13. Drive direction

14. Track

15. Resets track position to start/finish line

16. Scrollable message display

17. Chronograph

18. Show lap times

19. Adjust the track view angle

20. Start the chronograph

21.Throttle fault

22. Power level

23. Tachometer

24. Battery low indicator



1. Select track from pull-down

2. Set the track view angle

3. Select the gauge, then set the range and the Green, Yellow, Red limits (as a percentage of the range)

4. Diameter of tires on the drive axle in inches

5. Teeth on clutch and axle (determines gear ratio)

6. Calibrate the speed

7. Adjust the throttle graph limits

8. Save the settings as you update, click Done when finished



operation



The display will update when the device receives CAN messages from the motor controller. The update rate is driven by the CAN message rate. The display information is driven directly by the controller CAN messages, except for the speed, chronograph, and track position.


The speed is estimated based on the RPM and the drivetrain information provided. There are numerous factors that effect the true speed, so a slider is provided to adjust the speed estimate. You can also adjust the gear teeth (which is used to calculate the gear ratio) and tire diameter settings to get the display closer to true speed. If you enable GPS, the GPS will aid the speed estimate at the expense of increased device battery drain.


The chronograph updates at the CAN message rate. The Lap feature will show your lap times based on crossing the start/finish line identified by clicking the Set button when the red location dot is physically at the line, or when GPS is used, the track start/finish line in the track database. The times are estimates because the app can only determine when the start/finish line is crossed between the update cycles.


The track is the app's most unique feature. Your vehicle's position on the track is estimated by speed. By default, GPS is not used. This means you can select any track you want, and the app will simulate your position along that track based on your speed alone. The tracks use real distance, so your movement along the track is as if you were actually there! If you are physically at the track, then you can enable GPS to increase the accuracy of your position at the expense of increased battery drain. You can change the track perspective by using the slider to rotate the track in the display.



Using the built-in track database instead of Google maps allows the app to estimate your track position without GPS, fit the track in the dashboard space, keep the app size small, and improve the performance.



If you would like to see a track added to the database and GPS track coordinates are available on OpenStreetMap or another open source, contact us at support@practicalembedded.com.


GPS Mode:


Clicking the GPS button will enable GPS mode. Once GPS mode is enabled, you cannot disable it without restarting the display. You will need to grant permission for the app to use your precise GPS position. The button will turn yellow and then green once the device has a precise location. The track position will not update accurately until the button turns green. Many factors affect how long it takes before the button turns green, but it usually takes a few minutes. You will notice your battery drains faster when the GPS is being used.



With GPS mode enabled, your speed will be provided by the GPS velocity reported from your device. When your device indicates this value is inaccurate, the app will use the speed estimate calculated from your RPM and drivetrain information instead. You will notice a stutter in the speedometer display if the app decides to switch back to the estimate. This provides a better experience than other generic speedometer apps that report the GPS velocity regardless of accuracy.



TIPS



* The display is optimized for both landscape and portrait orientation. You must select which before launching the dashboard display. The display is locked after launching to prevent vehicle motion triggering a sudden screen rotation.


* You can connect a USB hub to your device and charge simultaneously while using the converter. You must make sure your hub supports data as well as charging.


* In order for the Motor Temperature Display to function, you need to connect a motor temperature sensor to your KLS controller. The KLS controller can read a specific type of thermistor. Check your KLS User's Manual for details.


* Certain fault indicators are triggered by the limits programmed into the controller by the user or OEM.


* Some of the faults indicator icons can have multiple causes. Check the message display for the specific fault.


* The message display is scrollable when the vehicle is not in motion. Since the widget is small it can be a bit tricky and varies with the type of device you are using, but it works!


* When configuring your gauge setup, make sure and hit the Save button before moving on to the next gauge.



Troubleshooting



USB Connection Issues:


* If the CAN to serial converter is not detected by the app, select Refresh devices from the menu pull-down. Connection issues are almost always with the USB-C connection and/or cable.


* Confirm that the CAN to serial converter board is getting power by checking the LEDs. If the LEDs are not lit, try a different USB cable.


* The baud rate default is 19200 but you can try other settings. This setting will not be saved.


* Make sure your Android device is NOT set to USB Charging Only. The converter uses USB data pins not just power (charging) pins. Some cables and hubs support only data or charging.


* For Advanced users, you might try placing your device into Developer mode for more options.


* Some devices controlled by corporate policy will not allow ANY USB data communication.


* Try a different Android device. The app will work with older devices, so acquiring an older inexpensive used device is a good option for dedicated use on your vehicle.


* If the track direction or start/finish line is incorrect in the database, contact us and we can fix the issue in a new release.


Demo Mode:


A Demo mode is accessible from the pull down menu on the launch screen. The dashboard will update with simulated data. The Setup menu is available and functions as normal.


CAN bus disconnected:


If the CAN to USB-C serial converter is connected to the device, but no CAN bus is connected or active, some app functionality such as the chronograph and GPS function will operate at a low update rate as the converter will send a default empty CAN test message.


For help or questions contact us at support@practicalembedded.com.



acknowlEdgements



This app includes library components developed under open-source licenses. We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the open-source community. Links to the applicable open-source licenses and copyright notices are provided below and within the app.


The use of these components is governed by their respective license terms.


Speedview by Anas Altair. License.


USB Serial for Android by multiple contributors. License.


The information contained within this document is subject to change without notice.


Copyright © 2026 Practical Embedded, LLC. All rights reserved.






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Site Last Updated May 30, 2026