80 replies to this topic

[Bungle]

it's the hazard light switch that seems to be the biggest problem, these switches are just on/off and don't have all the interconnecting terminals

[BensonJ]

Would the hazzards not just be on and off? The flashing comes from the relay!? Or and I wrong.. Not to hot on electrics.

[29guitarman]

 

I think it'd be a tad more complicated, but I'm interested if you've found an easy way of etching a pcb.

Years ago at school I made a bespoke circuit board by using a paintbrush to carefully apply nail varnish where I wanted the tracks. It was then dipped in dilute nitric acid to remove the exposed copper. Then I cleaned the tracks with acetone, job done! My mate is an electronics engineer and he has a fancy way of doing the same but from a printed sheet, not sure how it works but its quick. The problem I usually have is knowing how to lay out the board in the first place.

 

 

Etching that way is easy, just a lot of time and money, getting the chemicals and then chemical wastage... 

Although it can sometimes look messy, strip board is really easy and does as good a job, its also cheaper.

Laying out a circuit isnt too hard, best way i learnt was to print out a strip board template and draw it on, showing where to cut the tracks and where to solder.

if you need any help wiring something up, if you have a rough circuit i could draw up a strip board template :)

[Bungle]

Would the hazzards not just be on and off? The flashing comes from the relay!? Or and I wrong.. Not to hot on electrics.

 

no as the switch controls the hazards 4/6 lights flashing and the indicators also go through the same switch 2/3 lights flashing

[Ethel]

Hazard switch is a plain on/off switch for the indicators coupled to a off/on hazard side with 3 outlets that are isolated when off. Equivalent to 4 single pole switches.

[Marcos Controls]

I did build a prototype sequential switch so that you could use only one momentary switch for the sidelights/headlights. The first time you pressed the switch the sidelights would come on, the second time the headlights and the third time switch them both off. It worked fine in the simulation but then work got in the way and I never physically built the circuit.

[Marcos Controls]

Been away for a while but getting back into the car again. Just finished building this controller for the Savage switches using an Arduino board. I've coded it so the lights work sequentially from one switch, giving myself a separate relay for both LH and RH side/tail lights and each one for each headlight. There are 2 spare inputs for the indicators to work in conjunction with the hazards, negating the need for both flasher units. All of the relays are 20A rated, and the whole thing runs off of a 5V USB supply

 

Just need to fit it all in a nice small enclosure and wire it up to a Molex plug for ease of installation.

 

 

 

[surfblue]

Hmm, all seems a little bit complex to me, think I'll stick to simple Lucas off or on switches 

[Marcos Controls]

Hmm, all seems a little bit complex to me, think I'll stick to simple Lucas off or on switches 

It's not that complex and only cost an extra £20 on top of the switches and overcomes the problems people having been having with the hazard switch wiring using only the single pole contact blocks that come with the switches

[Deathrow]

I really like that, such a tidy solution and all made at home which is exactly what I enjoy seeing .

[silve1999]

This is great stuff such a cool little controller

[rik_t]

You gonna be making these for people?

[Marcos Controls]

If anyone wants one I'll quite happily give you the list of parts and the Arduino sketch. I'll also answer as many questions as you wish. I'm not looking to make any money out of it, I only did it for my own car. 

[Marcos Controls]

Having been asked, here is the wiring diagram and the Arduino sketch for anyone who wishes to build their own controller.

 

The parts list:

 

1 x Arduino ( I used an UNO R3) but I guess it would work with most other Arduino boards

1 x Arduino screw shield

1 x 8 channel relay board

5 x 1K 1/4 Watt resistor

5 x 220R 1/4 Watt resistor

2 x IN4148 diodes (you could use IN4001)

Male to female ribbon wire

 

You can easily find all of this on Amazon or Ebay

 

If you have any questions I'll do my best to answer them.

 

 

 

Attached Files

•  Arduino mini switch panel.pdf   30.03K   53 downloads
•  Arduino switch sketch.txt   3.62K   35 downloads

[Marcos Controls]

I've been continuing to work on this and now I'm near to completion. Moved away from the savage switches in favour of having these made. I prefer stainless to ally.  Hopefully have it complete and ready to fit by the end of the month.

 

The lit up colours are just a random order generated by the controller, but it means that I can have them all backlit then change colour when actually pressed.

 

The side/headlights are still sequential and the heated rear screen has a 10 minute automatic off timer

 

 

 

Marc