BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Tygaboy's '75 LS3, It seemed a good idea at the time... Options

[jd74914]

As I mentioned, this is my first go at wiring an entire car. Someone please tell me that at this point, it's OK that it looks like this! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Looks good to me! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

The only way to really make a one off neater is using string and they making a story board, but since you aren’t planning on shrink wrapping or concentric twisting the whole thing that’s kinda over board.

The Summit indicator module is pretty cool btw! I’ve had them on my radar for a while, nice to seem their stuff in use somewhere!

[Curbandgutter]

I was thinking of using that same wireless setup. Didn't know it was that cool with that 4 blink set up. Also, in looking at the Tilton pedal I now see how far out I will need to hang that throttle cable out there. Nice to see how you're doing it so that I get a sneak peek of what I'll have to deal with. I'll be calling you on all that electrical stuff since I'm pretty much a novice.

[tygaboy]

@Mueller
OK Mike, the gauntlet has been thrown!

Who will have their wiring completed first? Place your bets!

- Mueller and his fancy, high-tech system (yes, it was me Mike bought it from!)
- Tygaboy and his old school, universal hot rod "mess o' wiring" system

Seriously though, what I'm after with this wireless set up is ZERO switches in the car. Note that I have no turn signal or wiper stalks on the column. I also plan to switch the fresh air / heater blower from one of the buttons as well as wipers, headlights and hi-beam so again, NOTHING anywhere on the dash.

Let's see if I can pull it off...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_MHa-LbfKQ

[Andyrew]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif)

I dont know who to root for!

[burton73]

You guys have all the cool stuff.

Bob B

[tygaboy]

Here's the current "button map" plan.

Mostly self explanatory but that fan icon doesn't switch the radiator fans, it triggers the fresh air/heater blower fan.

After consulting with Tony @RetroRacer , I took his advice that since the Low and Medium speeds don't move much air, why not simplify things and go with a high speed-only blower. OK then. If I can't live with it, I'll figure something out at that point.
The seats are heated, too, so I should be OK on cold days.

Coming back to the radiator fans, I plan to use the engine ECU and have it start/stop them at particular temps.

[Rand]

You guys have all the cool stuff.

Bob B

Skill + money.

[Rand]

Let's see if I can pull it off...

I have no doubt. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Retroracer]

@Tygaboy - so the unmarked switch will be main/low beam toggle? and the upper left switch is side/rear/head lights on / off...?

No ejector seat then.

- Tony

[tygaboy]

@Tygaboy - so the unmarked switch will be main/low beam toggle? and the upper left switch is side/rear/head lights on / off...?

No ejector seat then.

- Tony

@RetroRacer Tony - close only backwards, I think. I wasn't sure how the multi-relay model would work so I didn't label that lower button. The plan is the lower will turn on the running/tail lights and low beam, the upper will be high/low beam toggle.

It's entirely possible I've misunderstood how it's supposed to work so just point me at what I need to do and I'll make it so!

[tygaboy]

In keeping with "virtually no usable 914 content", here's the latest:

I've opted to use an Arduino plus a few other goodies to add specific functionality to the Raptor wireless system.

As delivered, the Raptor buttons can be set to momentary, latch or flash. Meaning that to trigger any "complex" behavior, I'd need to add something. Arduino to the rescue! With less than $100 in resistors, diodes and relays, I can do the following:

Headlights: Press the "Lights" button for 2 seconds and the low beam, tail and running lights come on. Now, a quick click of the Lights button switches between low/high beam as many times as needed. Hold the button for 2 seconds and all lights switch off.

Heater/fresh air blower: The first press turns the fan on low, next one switches it to medium, next one to high, next one turns it off.

Wipers: The first click turns them on low, the next turns them to high, the next turns them off. Press and hold at any time and the squirters squirt!

It looks like I will achieve the goal of no switches other than the Raptor AND no loss of desired functionality. Plus, I can expand and program the Arduino to do other things I may think up! Or, change the behavior of the above listed items.

[76-914]

Great theft deterrent Chris. Your common thief would never figure out how to operate your car. Anyway, it's an improvement over Porsche's matrix technique they used in wiring the 914. Looks good, stay after it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Nogoodwithusernames]

That is incredibly cool, you get much more on that steering wheel you'll have a F1 car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[jd74914]

I've opted to use an Arduino plus a few other goodies to add specific functionality to the Raptor wireless system.
...

Headlights: Press the "Lights" button for 2 seconds and the low beam, tail and running lights come on. Now, a quick click of the Lights button switches between low/high beam as many times as needed. Hold the button for 2 seconds and all lights switch off.

Please be careful with that one...

Arduino's are not hardened devices in the least and in my experience tend to fail at inopportune times, especially when exposed to vibration/heat. Never used one on a production car (only racecars), but we learned to have a second programmed and ready to go just in case.

[Dion]

I could not begin to comment what electrical switching system to use.
Just want to say what an adventure this build is with the twists and turns and evolution of this project. I personally like that wheel set up.
It’s like the simple early GTP & F1 Steering wheels. I hope you can make it work Chris.
Keep at it!

[tygaboy]

I've opted to use an Arduino plus a few other goodies to add specific functionality to the Raptor wireless system.
...

Headlights: Press the "Lights" button for 2 seconds and the low beam, tail and running lights come on. Now, a quick click of the Lights button switches between low/high beam as many times as needed. Hold the button for 2 seconds and all lights switch off.

Please be careful with that one...

Arduino's are not hardened devices in the least and in my experience tend to fail at inopportune times, especially when exposed to vibration/heat. Never used one on a production car (only racecars), but we learned to have a second programmed and ready to go just in case.

@jd74914 Good to know. I do plan to isolate mount and otherwise protect it as best I can. Thanks for the heads up!

[tygaboy]

And..... it WORKS! At least on the bench. Today was just getting things mocked together and programming the Headlight function. The relays trigger as needed to support the "long press" to turn things on and off and the "short press" to toggle between low and high beams.

And here are the raw components ahead of any attempt at clean up, final wire length, packaging or mounting.

The 5V signals flow from the Raptor box into the 6-pin connector at the top of the pic. Then it's into the Arduino which runs the program and controls that 2nd board's components, which are essentially low voltage relays that in turn trigger the 12V relays on the right.

The Headlight function works like this:
- after a press over 2 seconds long is released, Relay 1 (running lights) and Relay 2 (low beams) are turned on.
- With Relay 1 on, a press of any duration under 2 seconds will turn off Relay 2 and turn on Relay 3 (high beams).
- the next short press shuts off Relay 3 and turns on Relay 2.
- continued short presses are simply toggling between low and high beam.
- when the next press of over 2 seconds is detected, all relays turn off.

That little board to the left is a voltage regulator that takes the car's 12v down to the 5V the Arduino needs.

And it's working just as planned.

Now to get it packaged, installed and wired. I can then program the remaining functions for the wipers and blower motor and upload via USB cable.

[djway]

I have a box full of relays in a box with the same colors. Great minds.
So will you name the car Kitt?

[Andyrew]

Super awesome!!

[tygaboy]

V1 of the relay mount was too plain. So in keeping with "no kill like overkill!", I made this one.

I still need to weld up the seams and no, you won't be able to see it once the dash is installed, but it's another of those items I'll know is there.

Oh, and don't ever hook up the 12V lead to the wrong end of your Arduino's voltage regulator, else you'll fry your Arduino and have to sorta start over. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Apparently this is my version of "the next version" when it comes to electronics.
Good thing these little units are only like $25.