Wiring: Fusebox
New key for the fuse box, in the process of adding the new circuits I documented all the fuses. Colour coding matches fuses to those which have relays switching them: (My fusebox is upside down vs. standard Zero build, fuses above relays)
Wiring: Savage dimmer
My new preferred Savage switch dimming circuit vs the
old one.
The same approach is used on all three switches with the output +ve load looped over to the LED side of the switch. Thus on the fog switch, which takes +ve from dip beam it is a true tel-tale, the switch only lighting when the fog lamp itself is lit.
No extra diodes necessary, the LED itself is a diode so won't let current back through to the side lights circuit when the switch is off and in any event its grounded both sides in this scenario.
Update - this could do with a fuse on the LED ground line, shared between the three switches.
If (
when?) the LED/bulb shorts it will blow the fuse on the +ve feed - taking out headlights or sidelights fuse. With a separate very low current fuse on GND any problem with the LED/bulb will leave the primary load circuit working.
When off:
- +Ve feed connects to nothing
- If side lights are on they illuminate the switch dimmed by the resistor
When on:
- +Ve feed connects to the load and in parallel through the LED, thus when the load gets power, the LED gets power.
- For the fog lamp the +Ve feed is the dip beam line, so when on with dips off then the switch LED does not light and neither do the fogs.
The savage LEDs are rated 12v so the resistor is only to dim them slightly, I used 0.6W 5k6 Ohm resistors. The resistor should dissipate approx 0.02W when side lights are on.
Aux Panel MkIII
Final steps on the new version of the aux panel, vinyl covered and an override switch top right so the electric aerial can be indepdendently turned off. My thinking is this will be useful either if it gets stuck, or more likely to ensure I don't raise it in the garage while testing the radio.
I'm using the original sides of the old panel, the second picture showing how the front face is now a little more vertical:
I still don't have a new push-pull for the heater control in the left most position, so just a placeholder blank plate for now:
Trying to keep the wiring as consistent and neat as possible & went back to the standard 11 way connector for the panel. Re-used the old earth rivnut for a stand-off to support the back of the radio:
With the heater matrix on the other side of the firewall bulkhead & the aux panel itself sitting slightly more vertical there is a good inch of space between the radio back and heater box:
Testing: Side lights off, then side lights on which illuminates the switches, radio volume button(when its off) or dims the radio display when its on:
The Radio did give me one gotcha - it takes two live feeds, one permanent to maintain its memory/time etc, and one via the ignition to allow it to turn on - I wired up exactly as per the manual using the standard ISO connectors - but it turns out this particular radio needs these two feeds reversed to work properly - go figure :)
Update - after talking to Blaupunkt, turns out the radio when wired as standard will turn on when ignition is off but only for 1 hour. So currently wired to not come on at all - may change it back in the future.
And my nifty (although already temperamental) electric aerial. It works well as an aerial, and I like the way its hidden when not in use, however it also has a habit of not quite winding all the way down - I'll pull it apart and re-grease/clean etc at some point:
Daytime Running Lights
The DRLs wiring installed now, switchable via the aux panel. I bought a switching box which takes +Ve, Ground and a feed from the side lights to automatically turn the DRLs off, overriding the panel switch, at night time when the side or headlights are turned on. The 6 lights just below the headlights actually look brighter than this in bright daylight - very pleased with the effect.
More noticeable in these later examples; my Zero is in the far distance on the first with only DRLs on:
Took her out for a test drive to Ashford on the M20 and back on the A20 ... :)
Passed a couple of huge articulated lorries near Maidstone, a matt black Pirelli & a Grey/Silver one possibly Mercedes, presumably on their way from the Silverstone F1 Grand Prix today heading to mainland Europe.
The radio is much clearer, no distortion now at high volume - but still really only useful when waiting in traffic or moving under 50mph, after that buffeting takes over and all you can hear is wind - I'll add in a headphone circuit later.
Over 50mph there is more to concentrate on anyway!
Final part of the upgrades is the holes in the bonnet to let air into the heater matrix. I need to be in a calm mood for that one - no second chances.
