overland-controller/README.md

Overland Controller

Overland Controller is a local-first vehicle power and monitoring system designed for overland, camping, and off-grid vehicle use.

Current target vehicle:

Nissan Xterra

The firmware itself is intended to stay vehicle-agnostic.

Current Version

0.4.0

What It Does

The ESP32 controller currently provides:

• Local WebUI
• HTTP API
• UART JSON protocol
• USB serial maintenance commands
• Relay control
• JBD/Xiaoxiang BLE BMS telemetry
• DS18B20 temperature sensor support
• Persistent configuration
• WiFi AP mode
• WiFi STA mode
• Multiple saved WiFi networks with priority

Current Hardware

Current controller:

• ESP32 2-relay board

Planned dashboard:

• Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W
• Touchscreen display
• UART connection to ESP32

Optional future expansion:

• Pi Zero 2 W for advanced logging/charts/web app

WebUI

The embedded WebUI is served directly from the ESP32.

Access through AP mode:

http://192.168.4.1

Access through STA mode:

http://<controller-ip>

The WebUI includes:

• Overview tab
• Battery tab
• Config tab

The Config tab is the preferred initial setup workflow.

Core Concepts

The ESP32 is the source of truth.

The Pico dashboard will be an instant-on physical display and control surface.

The WebUI is used for setup, configuration, and phone access from camp.

Documentation

Important docs:

• docs/project-state.md
• docs/api.md
• docs/UART_PROTOCOL.md
• docs/SERIAL_COMMANDS.md
• docs/PARITY_MATRIX.md
• docs/wiring.md
• docs/TEMP_SETUP.md
• docs/roadmap.md
• docs/CHANGELOG.md

Safety

This project controls vehicle electrical loads.

Use:

• Proper fusing
• Proper wire gauge
• Proper terminals/ferrules
• Common ground
• Strain relief
• Testing before connecting expensive loads

Do not connect vehicle 12V directly to ESP32 or Pico GPIO pins.