Map Selection v2

Just some thinking through today and preparation for a full engine/ECU map.

I have a spare circuit from the immobiliser, so decided to use that in map selection.

The immobiliser will select a non-running ECU map to prevent the engine starting (along with the other circuits it breaks) by taking the map selection line to open circuit.

A simple single pole single throw map switch on the Aux panel will allow selection between the remaining two maps. When open the dash switch selects the primary map so if the switch fails still normal operation, if the immobiliser fails I can't start the car anyway.

Can't see its a security risk even publishing this. 

The wannabe hot-wire enthusiast would have to find the ECU map select input line or immobiliser wiring. Fiddling with the dash mounted map selector will not help other than possibly following the wire to the immobiliser.

If someone is really going for the ECU or immobiliser wiring to hot wire the car they would be better served simply picking up the car and towing it, or a dashboard off scenario to re-wire, or potentially re-configure the ECU to ignore map switching - hopefully that doesn't sound like a joyrider mindset. (Famous last words)

( + Its mainly me and my Dad that reads this blog anyway )

Update - Installed here

Three years in - MOT due

GN13 has been on the road 3 years now, best part of 13,000 miles driven, not to shabby.

The first MOT test is due tomorrow.

Basics I hope are ok, she still drives solidly, lights all working, brakes etc checked, headlights may need aligning a little.

Gut feeling is emissions are going to be the challenge like they were at IVA, its the only part on the car I cannot setup myself - tweaking the ECU is easy enough there just isn't reasonable priced measuring equipment available to know when it is set correctly.

I've left it to the last minute too - so if it does fail I think I'll be looking for a trailer options to get her to an ECU specialist.

Fingers crossed.

Update - 27/5/16 - Passed,  one more year on the road!

Today I have mostly been... printing de-mister vents

Fellow RhoCar club member shared his custom de-mister vent/duct design file - thank you Brumster! 

I spent most of the day tinkering and nursing my 3d printer through the production process. The machine is a PrintrBot Simple originally bought as an assembly project in itself for my Daughter. Since then only really used for printing out various demonstration trinkets.

It's a good machine, but printing objects isn't quite as simple as printing on paper. Its quite hypnotic watching it slowly build up the item from 0.3mm layers.

The ducts are more compact than the off the shelf ones to fit under the dash. Came out ok - a little warping/lifting on the bottom edge which will match the scuttle shape nicely.

My thinking is de-misting may be more use than the high level heater outlets, this is just preparation though, I'm not taking the windscreen off to fit them while the driving weather is so good.

Update - In the end changed my approach, using something simpler and lower profile.

Stoneleigh 2016

Weather was kind to us - good run up to within around 30 minutes of Stoneleigh on the Saturday - overnight in local B&B + Local pub evening meal - to spend best part of Sunday at the show ground. Wander round some familiar cars and stands - notable groups included a club from the Czech republic - their pictures of Romanian roads, and particularly Transfăgărășan looked very interesting - made a mental note.

RhoCar's area possibly slightly smaller than previous years - but plenty full of club member cars of various types, so full it wasn't obvious how to get in!

Met up with a few people who read this blog and had a chat about the pleasures and frustrations of the build process. Thank you for saying hello!

..saw Peter who joined the RhoCar group on the inaugural Scotland Highlands Run in 2014, as well as Paul and Terry(Scotland 2015) and David who's blog was one of the key deciders on my buying a Zero kit in the first place...

The drive back along the M40 allowed the other bonus hobby when you have a panoramic view - bird of prey watching - some fantastic groups of 4-5 presumably Red Kites visible from the road and the odd hovering Peregrine falcon (or similar) hunting the road verges.

360º Video

A chance to play with the 360º camera some more and added some youtube footage driving to the ground and parking up in the playlist.
I have got the hang of simple editing now, next challenge is a logo for the black, straight down, area.

Note - this requires either a mobile device Youtube app or Chrome/Firefox browsers to view properly - but if it works you can pan the image during playback

Wonder when  the Kit car manufacturers going to cotton on to some Virtual Reality experiences for the shows, a little more investment than I can make privately and potential customers can start to get the feel for the open road without taking a foot off the display stands.