I am a member of a team of E30 enthusiasts. We like to make things, gadgets that make our E30s more fun to drive. We named our product line E30 Innovative Goods - E30IG.
First of our project is Service interval shiftlights. We wanted to keep the service interval functional so we had to investigate how the original board operates with LEDs. After a few trials and errors we got it.
Then it was time to find a way to get rev reading. With a use of oscilloscope we monitored the signal to cluster and got an idea how to read it and display it as shiftlights.
So the first breadboard version of shiflights was born.
Then we designed first PCB, side by side with original SI LED board.
Since there are a lot of things to think about, how to position parts on PCB that cluster can be assembled together, first PCB wasn't good, so we had to do another version, and another...
All signals can be "picked up" on connector that connects SI board to main cluster board, but how on earth can we hijack them without soldering...a lot of thinking made it happen and after a lot of experimenting adapter was made.
These aren't all versions...
Final version on its place.
Final version of PCB that does it all. Those LEDs are 9000mcd, prepare your welding mask.
So, what does it do?
When you turn your key to Accy position LEDs show you service interval reading. With ignition on shiftlights are activated.
Our goal wasn't making night rider cheesy look shiftlights that goes on with 800rpms but to make it as realistic and funcitonal as they should be.
So we decided to take the rpms where engine torque starts to drop as a max, all seven LEDs starts to blink.
Then with max-200rpm...5 green, yellow LED ligths on,
with max-400rpm...all 5 green LEDs are on,
with max-600rpm...4 green LEDs are on,
..
with max-1200rpm...1 green LED is on.
Below that no lightshow...
To keep things more complicated as they already are, these tresholds are dependent of engine temperature.
When engine is cold everything starts to happen earlier.
As I mentioned before LEDs are realy bright, shiftlights are supposed to be so bright that you keep your focus on the road/track and know what your rpms are. But if someone wants to set the brightness it can be done.
How can you set the brihtness with no potentiometer...I came up with a solution that may sound weird but it actually works.
I studied the onnector that connects SI board to main cluster board and found out a way to use Fuse21 to help me
Brightness setting procedure:
0. open the hood of your E30
1. locate the fuse box and open it
2. remove Fuse21
3. insert modified fuse with wires and button long enough to press/depress the button from your driverseat OR ask somebody, anybody or your buddy to help you
4. startup your car
5. press the button, Fuse21 "goes off" as a result tacho goes off too
6. with revving your engine you are changing LED brightness, 100% at cca 1200rpms. When you get to the brightness which suits you just depress the button
7. your favorit brightness is stored.
Next project is hazard switch digital multi gauge. It is capable to measure four different things and voltage. For instance oil temp, oil pressure, fuel pressure, cooling temp.
It fits into a hazard switch, with a LED display cover made of plexi glass that is shaped like original hazard switch dark red plastic. The whole thing will work as a switch, when youpress it it will toggle to another measurement with text displayed...let pics do the talking...
BTW, chars are evenly illuminated, pics can be misleading.
And another project...try to figure out what could it be.
Comments, ideas and critics are welcome.
