openinverter forum

I'm converting a 69 VW bug using the Tesla Small Drive unit.

I'm looking for an elegant, minimalistic method to select between Drive, Neutral and Reverse. I'd like the selector to be on the dash...so I'm thinking it will end up being button or toggle switch based. I'm also looking at using touchscreen setup from 4d Systems in Australia for displaying SOC and other data related to EV portion of car.

Touchscreen could be used for the functionality in total or just to display current status of physical switch/button. Using a combination of physical button with screen display seems like a good route at this point.

Please share your ideas or examples of how you've addressed this issue.

Don't have much to add in terms of "product design" but just letting you know that there is both a push button and a switch mode for direction selection.

bulletbug wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 5:59 pm Please share your ideas or examples of how you've addressed this issue.

I used a column shifter from a 1970's Rolls Royce in my VW Bus. Allows me to select 'drive' with three different regen settings (if I ever get around to modifying the firmware)

I like this idea a lot.

I have used a simple toggle switch with safety cover. You know like a jettison switch or maybe a weapons armed switch.
Legislation is clear in certifying specifications, there have to be two intentional actions taken to reverse direction on your car.
If you remember from manual transmission you have to move the handle sideways and then lift it to engage reverse drive. On some cars you would push the handle down... or various ways. ATs use a combination of brake foot switch and shift lever. Again two separate actions.
That got me thinking of a simple way to control the reverse.
https://leafdriveblog.wordpress.com/201 ... r-console/

I hope to get it to TUV this month. Than it should prove my point.

Inside the car i cut the wires from the shift column to the AT and extended them in my contact box. Then i searched the wiring for the PRD lights signals. When i found the correct combination i wrote it down and finally i made a relay drawing to wire my 12V enable and start pulses to some relays which will serve instead of switches on the old shift lever.
This will allow me to use original interface for displaying the car direction.
As in, i will turn the key one stop and P light will come on. Car/inverter is ready, but not started yet.
Then i will start the inverter and D light will come on. Car is fully operational and ready to drive.
If i would then select reverse switch i would get R instead of D on the dash. Of course also the direction will be reversed.
https://leafdriveblog.wordpress.com/201 ... -starting/

My intent is to use a one throttle pedal as an e-pedal. I dont think i will wire brake switch to regen...

Arber, did you think of using a pressure transducer on the brake line?

johnspark wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2019 9:38 am Arber, did you think of using a pressure transducer on the brake line?

Why would i do that? What would the signal be used for?
It would be even more work and i dont want to modify the brakes.
Usually i just adjusted one of the brake switches (AT cars use two) to close a little higher than brakes grab. That way regen starts working AND stop lights are lit to signal driver behind i am braking.

sorry Arber just learning how to use this Notifications tab.

Thank you for your thoughts they make sense.

Kevin Sharpe wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 10:27 pm

bulletbug wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2019 5:59 pm Please share your ideas or examples of how you've addressed this issue.

I used a column shifter from a 1970's Rolls Royce in my VW Bus. Allows me to select 'drive' with three different regen settings (if I ever get around to modifying the firmware)


40466517080_a11ec76dd8_b.jpg

I'm just starting a conversion on a 78 Rolls. Brilliant idea! I'm stealing it.