Quinten Posted January 11, 2015 Author Share Posted January 11, 2015 And that should be it for the side/dipped/main lights. I bought one of these which offers all 3 light positions and a horn push. I'm re-using the horn push as the main beam flash, as I will have a horn button on the steering wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 edit: New version created, please see below.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 You may have a bit of a wait, we don't have that many electrical/electronic specialists on here! I have to ask though, (start button/alternator lamp), why? I can't see what advantage it gives, and in fact could lead to confusion - it's counter intuitive. I'm presuming loosing the charge lamp is no issue with MOT time. Having had a few different production cars with start buttons, the ones I've seen, seem to be split into two camps the first, which just lights it up, much as you have with instrument lighting, so you can find it in the dark. (Obviously, you've added the twist that it lights up at full brightness when you press it). The second type apply logic, so while it may or may not be dimly backlit for identification, it only gets lit at full brightness with the engine not running, soon as you start it either dims or goes out. I'm assuming from you saying you can't work out how to do it, you mean you want it to be an ignition warning lamp and still work as you've got planned? Personally, sounds like a bad idea. But then, I am fresh from sorting out an alternator issue, that would have been a nightmare to spot if it had been on a multifunction feedback lamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 Well, I have one of these and so they both have the potential to display the 'ignition on, motor off' warning. I would prefer both to do the same thing, but have a little trouble figuring out how the start button could illuminate full when the ignition is off, and off (or dimly lit when side lights are on) when the engine is running. The start button led is bound direct to ground, so if I put the brown/yellow from the alternator on it, it would go to ground too, which is incorrect. I suspect I need another diode, to prevent this, but have yet to get that right in my mind... I'm not sure why you've come to the conclusion I am losing a charge light? The battery icon on the panel is just that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 I wasn't sure if you were aware what the charge light may be doing - it's more than just an on/off signal, though of course, if everything is running fine, that's exactly what it does! Certain failures will make it glow dimly, and some, like mine wont' light at all. Whereas what it sounds like is you simply want the button to do certain thins with engine running and certain with it off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 If that is the case, when I've seen it done, (in the kit car world) it's usually been done with a latching relay circuit. If you wanted to use the charge light status and not interfere with the normal lamps operation, what about using the brown yellow charge lamp wire from the alternator to energise the coil of a relay. The relay could then turn a signal on to the starter button when the engine is stopped that would go out as soon as charging began? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark (smokey mow) Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 The starter switch illumination is fairly easy to achieve with a relay so that the switch is illuminated when the ignition is switched on but then goes out the first time the button is pressed. We came up with the following simple circuit on Gary's (KugaWestie) car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 Like the old fashioned resistor symbols Are you sure you are as young as you say? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark (smokey mow) Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 Like the old fashioned resistor symbols Are you sure you are as young as you say?I was taught electronics by my parents at a young age this is what comes from being the son of an Electrical Engineer and a Telecomms Engineer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 The starter switch illumination is fairly easy to achieve with a relay so that the switch is illuminated when the ignition is switched on but then goes out the first time the button is pressed. We came up with the following simple circuit on Gary's (KugaWestie) car. Cheers, I think I am following this, although I am not sure why there is a path from 87 to 85 on the top changeover relay? What have you done with the brown/yellow alternator light? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 I wasn't sure if you were aware what the charge light may be doing - it's more than just an on/off signal, though of course, if everything is running fine, that's exactly what it does! Certain failures will make it glow dimly, and some, like mine wont' light at all. Whereas what it sounds like is you simply want the button to do certain thins with engine running and certain with it off? Well, I suppose it has a multitude of function, but there's only so much you can do with a single bulb For me it is simply an indicator the ignition is on, but the engine is not running. If the alternator stops, then I suspect there will be current flowing through the led (12V to less than 12V) and the led bulb will at some point faintly start to glow too... If that is the case, when I've seen it done, (in the kit car world) it's usually been done with a latching relay circuit. If you wanted to use the charge light status and not interfere with the normal lamps operation, what about using the brown yellow charge lamp wire from the alternator to energise the coil of a relay. The relay could then turn a signal on to the starter button when the engine is stopped that would go out as soon as charging began? This and Marks suggestion of using a relay for the bulb function sounds like a good idea though. Back to the paper version and see what I can come up with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 By the way, if anyone can see any flaws in the other diagrams, please speak up before I land myself into trouble when I come to wire it all up accordingly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark (smokey mow) Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 Cheers, I think I am following this, although I am not sure why there is a path from 87 to 85 on the top changeover relay? What have you done with the brown/yellow alternator light?the link from 85-87 is what electrically keeps the relay held in the open posistion and therefore the switch illuminition off once the start button is pressed.The charge warning light will normally have it's own dedicated circuit and a separate light on the dash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinten Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 Ahhh, I see now. That makes sense really So, I'm not far off then with my original diagram; using the Bright6 battery icon for the charge warning light, and the start button as, well, a start button... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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