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PiCAN 2 adds a CAN-bus interface to a Raspberry Pi and exposes it to software as a SocketCAN interface, typically named can0. With the right OBDII cable, wiring configuration and software, it can be used to log vehicle data—but the board does not guarantee that a particular vehicle will provide every value you want.
What PiCAN 2 does for OBDII logging
The PiCAN 2 is a CAN interface board built around a Microchip MCP2515 CAN controller and MCP2551 CAN transceiver. SK Pang’s product listing identifies model SKU RSP-PICAN2 for Raspberry Pi 2–3. Its Rev B V1.3 guide specifies CAN v2.0B at up to 1 Mb/s, a 10 MHz SPI interface, standard and extended data/remote frames, and a SocketCAN interface named can0. These are the board’s documented specifications, not a guarantee that every Raspberry Pi generation or vehicle will work with a given setup.
Logging requires more than the board: a compatible Raspberry Pi and operating-system configuration, the correct connection and bus settings, and software that requests or records data the vehicle makes available. A project demonstration described logging timestamps, message counts, temperature, RPM, speed and throttle position to CSV, while noting that values vary by vehicle. It is an example rather than a universal list of available fields.
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Use a compatible OBDII-to-DB9 cable and configure the board for OBDII rather than assuming the DB9 wiring used for a general CAN connection is the same. The Rev B V1.3 guide gives different solder-bridge settings and pin maps for these two configurations.
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Set the DB9 bridges for OBDII
For OBDII cable use, the guide directs users to close the left-side solder bridges SJ1, SJ2 and SJ3. For a general CAN cable, it specifies the right-side bridges instead. Check your board revision and its documentation before making changes; do not transfer the general CAN setting to the OBDII cable configuration.
Check the pin map and termination
For the documented OBDII DB9 configuration, the guide assigns pin 2 to ground, pin 3 to CAN_H, pin 5 to CAN_L and pin 9 to +Vin on the SMPS version. Its separate general CAN-cable configuration assigns pin 3 to ground, pin 7 to CAN_H, pin 2 to CAN_L and pin 9 to +Vin. Verify the cable and board pinout together before connecting them.
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The guide describes a fitted 120-ohm terminator that can be enabled by adding a two-way header at JP3 and inserting a jumper. Whether termination is appropriate depends on the network topology; do not enable it automatically just because you are connecting to OBDII. The same guide specifies a 6–20 V input range and 5 V, 1 A output for its SMPS variant only. Those power figures should not be assumed for every PiCAN 2 version.
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The vendor’s 2016 Rev B V1.3 guide documents an older setup workflow: enable SPI, configure an MCP2515 device-tree overlay using a 16 MHz oscillator and GPIO25 interrupt, then bring up can0 at a selected bitrate. It also demonstrates cansend and candump and notes C or Python as programming options. Raspberry Pi OS configuration and driver support can change, so consult documentation for the OS and board revision you are actually using rather than treating this historical procedure as a current universal recipe.
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The guide’s sample transmission uses CAN ID 7DF with data 02 01 05, which it identifies as a coolant-temperature request. This is an example from the guide, not evidence that every vehicle responds to that request or reports the same data. A logger must handle the vehicle’s responses and the data available on that vehicle.
Plan the logging software around the data you can obtain
A PiCAN 2 transports CAN messages; it does not itself provide a decoded dashboard or define a standard set of useful fields for every car. Your application needs to receive and interpret messages, add any desired timestamps or counters, and write records in the format you choose. A surfaced Raspberry Pi 3 demonstration described storing sample values as CSV on an SD card, but it does not establish universal vehicle support or a current, maintained setup guide.
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Is PiCAN2 compatible with Raspberry Pi 3?
Yes, Raspberry Pi 3 is within the Raspberry Pi 2–3 compatibility named in SK Pang’s product listing, and the vendor’s guide describes Raspberry Pi 2 support. The cited documentation does not establish compatibility with every newer Raspberry Pi model. Check the product revision and current manufacturer documentation for the exact Pi you plan to use.
Which PiCAN 2 details depend on the board revision?
Use revision-specific documentation for physical connections and power. The product listing describes DB9 and three-way screw-terminal connections, while the Rev B guide describes a four-way screw terminal. That discrepancy means a single terminal count should not be applied to all listings or revisions.
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Likewise, the 6–20 V input and 5 V, 1 A output specifications belong to the guide’s SMPS model. SK Pang also warns that counterfeit PiCAN2 boards circulate and recommends buying through authorized distributors. Confirm the exact SKU, revision and included power features with the seller.
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