Chris W Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 The latest gadget I have designed for the 7 is the "CatDipper" and it works as follows: At the moment you have 2 toggle switches to control the headlights, viz: 1. a spring-loaded flasher switch which works all the time and (believe it or not) flashes the mainbeams on demand, and 2. A dip/mainbeam switch which, when the headlight switch is ON, changes the headlights from dip to main or main to dip depending on its position I have now designed the CatDipper which does away with the dip/main switch and uses the spring-loaded flasher switch to carry out both functions, as follows: 1. If the headlight switch is OFF, the flasher switch acts as a flasher switch, flashing the headlights at all times on demand when flicked 2. If the headlight switch is ON, the flasher switch will toggle the headlights between dip and main at each flick of the switch. From personal experience it is so much easier to have the one switch to reach for instead of two. It makes the whole operation so much simpler at night when continually changing from dip to main whilst driving. I have designed it such that when the headlights are first switched ON, they will always come on in the dipped position for added safety. The unit uses connectors of opposite gender to the present set-up together with appropriate colour coding so fitting takes all of 5 minutes. Just unplug the wires from the switches and plug them into the colour-coded CatDipper. Job done. It's a doddle. The circuit uses a microprocessor for reliability and precise operation. The unit is approx 4"x2"x1.5" and can be easily hidden behind the right hand panel near your right knee. I can only make these for the price if I get at least 10 orders so if enough of you want them, I will make a batch. Price is £68 + £5p&p or collect from my home if convenient (nr Dunstable, Beds.) Let me know Cheers Chris 2003 1.8K SV 140hp see it here Edited by - Chris W on 5 Jun 2006 11:59:26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_C Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 Provisionally yes please, assuming my insurers get my excess back off the guy that drove into me. Cheers Tom FH54WLX - only the car supports ManU, honest! see here - UPDATED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budjuggler Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 Nothing personal - and I'm sure its very clever but I struggle with the value for money equation - especialy as I don't do a huge amount of night driving C7 GON - There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 I drive with my headlights on all the time. Is this effectively just a toggle switch for me? How about a three position switch instead? My ... Preciousss! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted June 5, 2006 Leadership Team Share Posted June 5, 2006 I can't cope with all this modern technology - I'm off to have a CatNap 😬 Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai-X Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 As a cheaper alternative, how about an on-off-mom switch? I now use one so that up is the "on" position, which puts main beam on and a "mom"entary press down flashes the lights. I find it works really well and is quite intuitive. I seem to remember that it needed a changeover relay adding as well, to mimic the functionality of the main/dip switch, but overall was very simple to incorporate into/onto(?) the standard wiring. Just my 2p'th - I can see the benefits of Chris' system as well (especially the always coming on in dip mode) A suggestion to add to the functionality would be a headlight buzzer which buzzes when the ignition has BEEN on but NOW is off (ie you've just arrived and switched the car off) AND the headlights are on. I almost left mine on yesterday, had someone not said something! Cheers, Ben Edited by - Dai-X on 5 Jun 2006 17:10:45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zak Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 Good on yah Chris! An aside: Wish I had got in on your last run for the indicators thingy you did. Have a BTTT Zak www.zak7.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris W Posted June 5, 2006 Author Share Posted June 5, 2006 Hi Zak Email me off-line and I'll give you a one-off price. Cheers Chris 2003 1.8K SV 140hp see it here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris W Posted June 5, 2006 Author Share Posted June 5, 2006 Good idea Ben. I should have thought of adding a "Lights left-ON" buzzer when I designed the CatDipper and it didn't occur to me. I could add the functionality and reprogram the microprocessor for no additional cost if that would make it more attractive to people. So now the CatDipper would also incorporate a buzzer which sounds if the ignition is OFF but the headlight switch is ON. ie: a lights-On warning. Does this appeal to anyone? I would still need a minimum of 10 orders to make it worthwhile building. Let me know folks otherwise I'll dump the project. Cheers Chris 2003 1.8K SV 140hp see it here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_C Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 Definitely sounds like a winner there Chris, I regularly leave the lights on. Cheers Tom FH54WLX - only the car supports ManU, honest! see here - UPDATED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now