Electro-Pnematic Sequential Shifter - Update

Natchamp · 01-19-2002, 08:08 PM

Hey peoples, I though I'd give an update to my little pet project. It's an electro-pnematic shifter for my Beast.

C...A...F...D

I have it all designed out and the controller built. I can't start on the actuating mechanism until I do the G50 conversion which I plan on starting tomarrow.

This is the "workshop". If your desk looks like this, you need serious medication like I do. Kinda looks like something out of a Walt Disney mad professor movie.

This is a peek of the controller inside the enclosure. The small black "thingy's" in the center part are the 12v relays that will ultimately trigger the solenoids for the pnematic cylinders. I have learned a ton about electronics in the last month, its been a lot of fun.

This picture shows the controller box with the wire loom and plug connector. One of the looms is for the buttons on the steering wheel (see the red caped push button switches). The other one (with the arrow) is for the display module that will be located somewhere around the gauges. It has an LED to indicate the current gear, a reverse button, and a "sport mode" indicator .

kstar · 01-19-2002, 08:37 PM

"Electro-Pnematic Sequential Shifter" eh?

So, after hand fabricating a supercharged 993 style car from an early Porsche chassis this is all you have to report?

Seriously, very impressive Mark. Please keep us apprised as you develop this "system". Your work is profound and you might consider a patent application if your assembled system performs as well as I think it may.

Best to you,

Kurt

P.S.: Us San Diegans have to get together soon for a drive. I thought Dan might be planning such a gathering?

Maybe my new motor will be finished around the same time you get your sequential shifter complete?

Natchamp · 01-19-2002, 09:22 PM

LOL, that cracked me up. Yes, we need to have another get-together. However, I myself won't be ready for prabably a month or so because of all the work to be done for the G50 conversion. I did finally break the tranny. I got on it at a location with really good traction and "ouch." It's making all sorts of not-so-nice sounds. That's what I get for having so much grunt, so be it!

Actually, I am really considering the shifter as a marketable product. I am doing all the designing, sourcing, functionality, packaging with the perspective of selling it as a bolt on unit which is totally different than producing a one-off. If it doesn't work out, o-well. It's fun trying and learning.

BlueSkyJaunte · 01-19-2002, 10:03 PM

You are my new hero!

Let us know when you're ready to start selling these--it's the only way my wife will be able to drive the P-car.

dickster · 01-20-2002, 12:12 AM

mark

just checked out your website

great read! WOOOWWWW

richard

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

Mark, make sure you photograph and patent everything you fabricate!

I think this has got to make you the No.1 DIYer on the board?

Cheers

jkeyzer · jkeyzer's Garage

Mark -

The work so far looks great! I remember talking to you at the get-together and you had barely started! It's all very impressive - how is the code going?

You might already know this, but you should probably optoisolate the outputs to your pneumatic solenoids and other high current/high switching noise parts. The switching noise combined with automotive ignition noise can create weird problems with microcontroller circuits. The last thing you want is for your circuit to crash or reset itself in traffic. A shunt diode reverse connected across any relays or other parts that use coils for switching can help get rid of noise and harmful voltage spikes.

Sorry to hear your 915 bit the dust.

The car is earning it's name...

Good luck!!