Working on some custom controls for my vintage air

[scott_fx]

Hey guys,

thought you may be interested in the project i'm working on. i wasn't very happy with the aftermarket solutions for ac controls for the vintage air system i just ordered. I decided to make my own. basically; when the car is off it'll be just two black knobs on a black panel. When the car is on, the black panel will light up with the following design:





and where the rectangle is in the center will be a dot matrix display:
http://youtu.be/t9YEmmx9q-k


i took a lot of time trying to make this as ergonomic as possible. the 'mode' button is actually an invisible button. you just have to touch the panel in that area to switch the modes. this shouldn't be a safety issue since there is only one button like that on the panel. so you can touch in the proximity of the area. if that proves to be too finicky then i'll just add a black anti vandal button:
http://www.oznium.com/anti-vandal-led-switch

i've also ordered up some thermistors to add to the system. it'll compare the temp coming out of the vents and adjust the ac accordingly to maintain the desired temp

the text should match my speedhut gauges nicely

[GRNOVA]

I like it!

[Drewstang]

Subscribing. I want to see how this turns out, I was planning on the Dakota Digital panel.

[scott_fx]

Ordered all of the supplies for the backlighting I have until the 31st to finalize the desig. Then I'll order the print. (Needs to be printed on special backlight film) but the great part about this... It's a $15 print. If I change my mind down the road, I just swap out the graphic.

Critiques are welcome.

[TCRugger]

Subscribed. Great idea.

[scott_fx]

The smoked acrylic just came in. Here is just a proof of concept test as to the visibility through it. I can't do an actual test until the el panel and backlit film print come in. But it is promising. Also when I put the acrylic over a photo, it's nearly completely dark.

http://youtu.be/MENZ9iYQ6Gg

[Drewstang]

Threads like this make me wish I would have stayed in Speed School of Engineering.

[dmastrota]

are you willing to make anothe one? if so I am interetedQUOTE=Drewstang;1108144]Threads like this make me wish I would have stayed in Speed School of Engineering.[/QUOTE]

[renegade6]

Subscribed! If you decide to make some more, put me on the list.

[scott_fx]

are you willing to make anothe one? if so I am interetedQUOTE=Drewstang;1108144]Threads like this make me wish I would have stayed in Speed School of Engineering.

[/QUOTE]

Subscribed! If you decide to make some more, put me on the list.

Let it me work out the logistics and ensure I can get it working to my liking. If so I'd be glad to make a few of them. The hardware is a bit steep though. The dot matrix display is about $45 and the backlight el panel is about $25. I think the final tally is going to be above $100 in parts. Also something I'll have to look into is the various sizes of the oem ac controllers. And I have a 4 month old... So time is tight right now. If there was enough interest I could potentially make a kit with custom printed pcb's

[Drewstang]

I'd be okay with 100-150 versus the 400 for the DD unit.

[dmastrota]

I have a RestoModAir air haymaker unit. Do you think it will work with that unit? I want to put it in the stock controller location in a 69 GTO.
david




Let it me work out the logistics and ensure I can get it working to my liking. If so I'd be glad to make a few of them. The hardware is a bit steep though. The dot matrix display is about $45 and the backlight el panel is about $25. I think the final tally is going to be above $100 in parts. Also something I'll have to look into is the various sizes of the oem ac controllers. And I have a 4 month old... So time is tight right now. If there was enough interest I could potentially make a kit with custom printed pcb's[/QUOTE]

[scott_fx]

It could, it all depends on how the system is controlled. If you could call them up and ask them how their unit is controlled, it should be doable. The VA system just uses analog values from 0-5 volts. I'd assume they probably are all pretty similar.

Edit--
based on this:
http://www.restomodair.com/drive-kits/
It looks as though it's along the same lines. They are just using some potentiometers. Now to just get the values. My system is using a digital pot, so the hook up would be similar. 3 wires per function (temp, fan speed & mode). What are you currently using as a controller?

[dmastrota]

I dont have one yet. It is a new install putting car back together. I would like to do it in the stock location space. It is similar to Chevelle. The ones resto has are not lit except for the Reactor. Hovever it is a little to blingy and pricey. I will follow up. I do know this model is variable speed fan. I love your look and think it would look great.
David

[email protected]

It could, it all depends on how the system is controlled. If you could call them up and ask them how their unit is controlled, it should be doable. The VA system just uses analog values from 0-5 volts. I'd assume they probably are all pretty similar.

Edit--
based on this:
http://www.restomodair.com/drive-kits/
It looks as though it's along the same lines. They are just using some potentiometers. Now to just get the values. My system is using a digital pot, so the hook up would be similar. 3 wires per function (temp, fan speed & mode). What are you currently using as a controller?

[scott_fx]

Small update On how the controls will work:
http://youtu.be/yMkznIsGriI

[manOwar]

Small update On how the controls will work:
http://youtu.be/yMkznIsGriI

GEN IV or will it work with GEN II as well?

[scott_fx]

I don't believe gen III works the same way. Do you know if the controls are mechanical?

[kirt70camaro]

Funny that the makers of these systems can't make something a little more modern. Keep up the good work!

[scott_fx]

GEN IV or will it work with GEN II as well?

If it is a cable driven system. I think my controller could easily be retrofitted to control servos. How the cable hooks up to the servo will take some research. I'm sure there is a product out there to address this though.

Funny that the makers of these systems can't make something a little more modern. Keep up the good work!

Thanks. It is actually an easy solution for anyone to diy if you just keep it analog and don't include the dot matrix display or have the auto temp feature. The backlight and all is just a simple 12v hook up


Here is a test using the el panel behind smoked plexi. I'm not sure I'm happy with the results. It may be a quality issue or if the inverter isn't powerful enough, but I'm not 100% happy with the results. My options are to try led backlighting, which adds complexity to the build, or use clear acrylic and drop the stealth aspect of this. Before I go further down that route though, I'll wait for the prints to arrive.
http://youtu.be/vI0mmQ4j6JQ

[manOwar]

If it is a cable driven system. I think my controller could easily be retrofitted to control servos. How the cable hooks up to the servo will take some research. I'm sure there is a product out there to address this though.

This is the control that came with my GEN II system.

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...475/prd475.htm