HCH1 IMAC&C Steering Wheel Buttons

[retepsnikrep]

Just a video showing some testing I was doing today on the Manual HCH1 steering column coil spring and connectors to assess the feasibility of steering wheel mounted buttons for IMAC&C.

IMAC&CHCH1 Steering Wheel Controls.avi - YouTube

Looks like it will be feasible and compatible with the current HCH1 IMAC&C pcb.

The second set of switches should work in parallel with the ones already on the pcb so you would have two sets of switches and can control if from either position.

Basically the pcb will have four flying leads which will attach to the coil spring, feed through the steering column and then connect to 3 buttons mounted on a tiny piece of stripboard inserted under the leather steering wheel cover.

I hope to fit IMAC&C to my car tomorrow, possibly with the steering wheel mounted buttons depending on my button stock and suitability.

Whilst looking at buttons I also considered a trio tactile membrane switch. These are ultra thin and fix by ahdesive to the steering wheel. Hmm.

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100x Momentary Tact Tactile Push Button Switch 4 Pin SMD Surface Mount 5x5x1.5mm | eBay

Interestingly the check engine light did not work on my car when I bought it and when I checked the cluster today a previous owner or technician had prised off the CEL led from the pcb in an effort to hide the fact the check engine light was on!!!! That's a cheap trick.

[Aqua]

You Change it to it's now under the steering wheel leather cover? I'll be Careful,
In a panic situation or if someone spin you around, you could get disoriented and use every part of the steering wheel to recover, but if done that you could hand grab over it and it's don't switch but need a finger tip it. Like inside a slight raised bevel circle Could be done safe.

[samwichse]

That actually doesn't look too bad to do with that nice 5 pin header on the turning side of the wheel, but I don't wonder if those four contacts are used already for my three cruise control buttons.

Also: My wheel is the same cheesy material the I1 wheel is made of, not that nice leather yours is.

Finally: I'm definitely jealous of your wheels... like them way better than the US style ones.

Sam

[retepsnikrep]

If you have cruise control or CVT sport/normal mode controls on the steering wheel you will likely not have enough spare wires

[retepsnikrep]

Three little videos showing IMAC&C unit connections at plug on ECM behind glovebox.
Works as is with the buttons on the unit. Has wire installed for connections to coil spring.
I used a gash black USB cable with ends cut off as they are a nice 4 core screened cable.

IMAC&C HCH1 Install Video 1 - YouTube

IMAC&C HCH1 Install Video 2 - YouTube

IMAC&C HCH1 Install Video 3 - YouTube


One pic showing connections to pcb reqd for remote parallel buttons.

Conections for remote switches as below.

White = Assist/up button
Green = Cancel button
Red = Regen/down button
Black = Ground/Common

Will try and build the remote buttons next day or so.
Cold here so can't stand more than a couple of hours in garage at any one time.

[retepsnikrep]

Something like this looks just right to connect to those pins on the coil spring car side of the steering column. Must have one of those kicking about.

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[samwichse]

The analog internal MB connector from a CD-ROM drive will get you 4 pins each (3 actually connected)... you could probably hack up two of those (cut off the unused pin in one, cut off two on the other)?

Sam

[retepsnikrep]

Just finished this and tested steering wheel buttons which work fine.
Can use the buttons on the box or on the steering wheel at will.

Need to lace up the leather cover and job done.
Mr's P has voluntered to have a go at that at the weekend.

Video's showing details.

IMAC&C HCH1 Install Video 4 - YouTube

IMAC&C HCH1 Install Video 5 - YouTube

Got to realign my steering wheel now.

[retepsnikrep]

I have just installed the brake/clutch switch mod to my HCH1 as I like the lever switch at my left fingertips to activate max regen or disable assist/regen.

I used exactly the same switches/wiring etc as my G1 version.

[Kevin Dougherty]

Originally Posted by retepsnikrep

I have just installed the brake/clutch switch mod to my HCH1 as I like the lever switch at my left fingertips to activate max regen or disable assist/regen.

I used exactly the same switches/wiring etc as my G1 version.

Hmm...looks familiar.