neueryche

Hello everyone. It's been a long while since I posted but I have been following a few threads with interest. Kimota's Car PC (on mp3car as well) and StealthTL's start switch. The reason, I am going to add (attempt) these to my 8.

There are a few points I'd like to clear up on each. On the Start switch, there was a diagram on Stealth's post showing the pinout for the starter switch. Am I correct in believing that pins {E and F} are the hot leads and are 12V? ( I know I could just look and measure but I haven't taken anything apart yet so I someone already knows why not ask.) As to the steering wheel lock (I have an 05) is this purely mechanical or is it electrically operated? Ok thats it for the starter switch questions for now.

On the CarPC (Kimota hopefully you read this). I think I read that you could get the factory Nav housing with out the screen (used) and with motors, is the aftermarket (JDM?) retractable housing powered as well and does it come with the motors? Does any have a non-transreflective screen mounted on the dash (in housing), if so how bad is the washout in sunlight?

Well thats the basics I think. I tend to design things on paper first and try to work the kinks out in theory before buying all the equipment. We'll see how that turns out. Thanks for any info you all can point me to,

~DS

neueryche

Here is the current plan for the PC for those interested. I am at the very begining so no equipment specs yet.

I am intending on haveing a touchscreen for control, 7" I'm sure. As for a front end, right now I am looking at RoadRunner (mainly because I want to play with the programming bit.) As for add ons, I plan on GPS, MP3 audio, backup camera, and OBDII. (Yeah no movies)

Most of these seem straight forward enough. The backup camera basics seem easy as well. The problem is that I was just in Japan visiting family and I saw an awesome feature that all the systems (that I saw) had. Along with distance and width overlays there was a dynamic overlay that adjusted based on wheel turn. It would curve the width lines (a second set) to fit the path the car would travel based on wheel turn. I would need to get some sort of wheel position indication and write a program to control an overlay etc. Might be more then I want to do. Does any know of one available?

I'll post the equipment specs as I decided on them and create some sort of build log as I go.

Thanks for reading

~DS

neueryche

I suppose I'll post some thoughts on the start button. At quick glance I can see how a single toggle switch could do the job (based on the schemtic I mention in Stealth's post and not worrying about the steering wheel lock). It seems a double pole switch with off-on-(mom) could do the trick. Off would secure power and turn the engine off. ON would bring power to On and Acc. The momentary would be held to start the engine and when released would center back on the ON position. The issue with this is looks, not as cool as a BRB. Though a fighter style red switch guard and an LED in the switch could be cool.

The problem I find with pushbuttons is they don't seem to make them with 3 positions like the toggle (off-on-(mom)). How would you get it back to the off. I see many 2 position buttons (off-(mom), etc.) Well there is the emergency stop style mushroom switches that you can pull and push but they look cheezy.

So initially I see the requirement for a power switch and a start pushbutton (2 steps.) Well the EE in me remembered the AT power switch on modern computers (push to turn on, push and hold to turn off). What if we had the reverse (push and hold to start, push to turn off.) It might work. We would just need to make a computer to do it. So I am off to look into making a circuit that will mimic the start state diagram at the bottom of the pin out in Stealth's post (I'll find and link it one day) and if the steering wheel lock out can be controlled electrically then bonus.

I am in the early stages of all this but with any luck...(must not jinx self.) Anyway, thoughts and comments might be helpfull. I'll try to keep you posted. Again thanks for reading.

~DS

pikachu

if you have the cash for the transreflective screen then do it now. even with the tilt of the factory hood, the sun will wash everything out (atleast for me). also i use streekdeck for a frontend and couldnt be happier. completely customizable and fully intergrated with nav(microsoft mappoint included), obdII, backup and mp3 player in one nice gesture based package. the downside is it isnt free.

kimota

Heya,

1. Factory nav housing without screen on this I'm not sure. I believe I've read other post that mention the circuit board used to control the motor for Factory nav housing is actaully on back of factory screen.

You can pickup a used factory Nav housing from Mazmart last time I check they were roughly $1000

2. The Retractable LCD / Nav Holder I used does NOT have any motors it is operated manually

3. Transreflective screen I have to agree with pikachu 100% if its not transreflective on dash of RX8 the sun will washout everything on screen

I'd also recommend StreetDeck as a frontend you can download a free trial here and check it out for yourself:

Good luck with the project

neueryche

Well Transreflective sounds like the way to go. I was leaning toward that option, thanks for the confirmation.

I'll look into Streetdeck as well. I've heard and read a little about it on mp3car. Thanks for the recomendation.

So the factory nav has the circuitry for motorized op. I'll have to try to find a used one...or look into motorizing the manual hood. Hmmm more tinkering.

Ok, the plans are comming into focus. Now to buy the parts and get to work.

Thanks all.

~DS

Aero8

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...t=start+button

here is the link for the start button diy

The current issue for me is still the steering wheel lock. Well, that and the fact that I haven't tried anything since last fall.


You are correct that E and F are power.

I forgot which year it switched over, can you currently get in your car and start it with the key sitting in your pocket, or do you have to use the key still?

If it is the latter, I believe the steering wheel lock is purely mechanical.

Good luck with your project, please continue to update!

neueryche

Aero, I have to use the Key to start. I was hoping that the lock was a solenoid that I could control. I will have to dig into the car to look I guess.

(Yup thats the thread i was reading.)

I am planning on keeping the manual key start available to some degree (maybe with a hidden bypass switch) in case I need to take it to the shop for something. I'll also install a cut out switch for the PC so the mechanic Yahoo's don't mess with it. In fact, I am planning on being able to restore to "OEM" in case I sell the car and don't want to sell the equipment.

Thanks for all the help. I am making the parts list now.

~DS

neueryche

I'm drawing up a few designs for the start switch circuitry and came across a question.

Does anyone know the current that runs through wires E and F?

I have a basic idea of a circuit that can start and stop the engine/electrical system. I am now trying to make it a bit more robust (to protect the car from mindlessness.) Right now the circuit uses discrete components, I may have to move to a micro-controller as I add safety checks. We'll see.

Anyway, if someone can answer the current question I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

~DS