Discussion
Apart from Stig, has anyone got photos/advise for non standard, finished AC controls? I saw pics of GTRSimons, but he hasn't been around for a while and I don't have contact details - but I do like the simplicity of that style.
Don't want to put in the standard Ultima supplied ones, also don't want to go as stylised as TVR type.
Any suggestions? If anyone has Simons contact details I'd be very grateful if you could send them to me.
Cheers
Don't want to put in the standard Ultima supplied ones, also don't want to go as stylised as TVR type.
Any suggestions? If anyone has Simons contact details I'd be very grateful if you could send them to me.
Cheers
The air con controls are all hidden under the dash on the GTW as I didn't want to have them on show, you know, less is more type thing and I was keen to follow the race car ethos but the only problem is that I will need to re-aquaint my self with all of the hidden controls as it is so long since I last piloted the car, I have forgotten what the ones that I can see are for, let alone the ones I can't!
http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=...
and "Vintage air" do the Control Valve to suit the Ultima Plumbing.... no knobs or switches to fail SVA for the fan or AC unit... Then you also have Climate control not just AC.....
and "Vintage air" do the Control Valve to suit the Ultima Plumbing.... no knobs or switches to fail SVA for the fan or AC unit... Then you also have Climate control not just AC.....
Clive,
I tried this route...
Vintageair said:
You might try Dakota Digital their web site is www.dakotadigital.com/ss the owners name is Ross Ortman.
They do a controller that is digital they sell for our Gen II product line.
Good luck.
George
..but on asking Dakota nicely if this would work for our unit, they were not so helpful... it seemed to go into the 'TOO HARD' box! ...or maybe the 'CAN'T BE AR
ED' Box?
They said..
Thanks for your email,
Unfortunately we really do not offer a product of this nature, in fact the Vintage Air specific controllers were a couple of years in the making, to ensure that everything was being controlled properly and not impacting other settings in a real world environment. Due to the complexity of the project, we are not in a position to take on a "one-off" project of this nature. I apologize that I'm not of more help.
Not sure if this man got me wrong, or if he is suggesting that their product will not work with anything other than their own aircon unit!
Is it worth taking the chance and getting the panel in? Maybe Davriaman could work some electronic magic and rewire it?
Since a number of us would like to have this option, maybe we gang up and have another go at Dakota?
Anyone up for this? I'm starting the list....
1. Me,me,me - V8 VUM
cheers
Keith
I tried this route...
Vintageair said:
You might try Dakota Digital their web site is www.dakotadigital.com/ss the owners name is Ross Ortman.
They do a controller that is digital they sell for our Gen II product line.
Good luck.
George
..but on asking Dakota nicely if this would work for our unit, they were not so helpful... it seemed to go into the 'TOO HARD' box! ...or maybe the 'CAN'T BE AR
ED' Box?They said..
Thanks for your email,
Unfortunately we really do not offer a product of this nature, in fact the Vintage Air specific controllers were a couple of years in the making, to ensure that everything was being controlled properly and not impacting other settings in a real world environment. Due to the complexity of the project, we are not in a position to take on a "one-off" project of this nature. I apologize that I'm not of more help.
Not sure if this man got me wrong, or if he is suggesting that their product will not work with anything other than their own aircon unit!
Is it worth taking the chance and getting the panel in? Maybe Davriaman could work some electronic magic and rewire it?
Since a number of us would like to have this option, maybe we gang up and have another go at Dakota?
Anyone up for this? I'm starting the list....
1. Me,me,me - V8 VUM
cheers
Keith
Dakota Wiring
http://www.dakotadigital.com/pdf/dcc-2200.pdf
Vintage Air Wiring
http://www.vintageair.com/DownloadsSection/Quick%2...
Vintage air is the unit I used on my GTR, it was Identical to the factory unit as far as I could see... The control module will just connect to the Modulating Water valve that VA does, its really simple.. But I have not tried it yet, even though it seemed a Odd reply from Dakota.....
Will be buying them soon will report back if alls OK, will rig up and try out....
Will be buying them soon will report back if alls OK, will rig up and try out....
FYI
I asked
Dakota for a more reasoned response and I got:

"Good day Keith,
Here is the instruction/install manual for this product:
http://www.dakotadigital.com/pdf/dcc-2200.pdf
Then, below is the reply from my engineering department regarding this controller:
As for controlling the heater motor valve that he is talking about, our unit doesn't even actually control that directly. Our unit sends the appropriate request signal to the Gen II unit which then uses its onboard control circuitry to properly position the heater valve. There would be a significant amount of interfacing needed to have our unit drive the heater valve directly. The same applies for the mode doors (Vent, Floor, defrost)."
So it seems that the Dakota Dig controller sends signals to a control circuit built into the GenII unit, which in turn does the business.
...which rather screws the possibilities!
...and forces us to look elsewhere for a solution, or go out any buy the GenII unit and lose all that dosh we have layed out for the factory one...whoch is hugely frusrtating!
and very painful to the wallet!
Keith
I asked
Dakota for a more reasoned response and I got:
"Good day Keith,
Here is the instruction/install manual for this product:
http://www.dakotadigital.com/pdf/dcc-2200.pdf
Then, below is the reply from my engineering department regarding this controller:
As for controlling the heater motor valve that he is talking about, our unit doesn't even actually control that directly. Our unit sends the appropriate request signal to the Gen II unit which then uses its onboard control circuitry to properly position the heater valve. There would be a significant amount of interfacing needed to have our unit drive the heater valve directly. The same applies for the mode doors (Vent, Floor, defrost)."
So it seems that the Dakota Dig controller sends signals to a control circuit built into the GenII unit, which in turn does the business.
...which rather screws the possibilities!
...and forces us to look elsewhere for a solution, or go out any buy the GenII unit and lose all that dosh we have layed out for the factory one...whoch is hugely frusrtating!
and very painful to the wallet!
Keith
Here's a pic of the prototype fitted with a brief discription

Basic controls
Left switch selects function, right switch alters value eg if fan selected changes speed, press either and it save selected position.
Display is 8 digit alpha numeric in green or red.
Outputs are
1 Fan control
2 Heater valve
3 Compressor clutch
4 Optional
Inputs
1 thermocouple to stop unit freezing!!
2 temp sensor to mount in output from air con unit
3 temp sensor for cabin
4 side light to allow dimming of display at night
Electronics could be re-packaged with 2 sets of up down push button switches to repace rotary controls(would reduce cost).

Basic controls
Left switch selects function, right switch alters value eg if fan selected changes speed, press either and it save selected position.
Display is 8 digit alpha numeric in green or red.
Outputs are
1 Fan control
2 Heater valve
3 Compressor clutch
4 Optional
Inputs
1 thermocouple to stop unit freezing!!
2 temp sensor to mount in output from air con unit
3 temp sensor for cabin
4 side light to allow dimming of display at night
Electronics could be re-packaged with 2 sets of up down push button switches to repace rotary controls(would reduce cost).
I did some research into aircon units and found that the CBS one is made by Southern Air. Pretty sure it is the same as the Ultima unit..
I was going to buy this setup from the States ($229!):
http://www.southernrods.com/categories/heating-and...
But the shipping costs were very high. Coupled with the import duty and difficulty to return if there was a problem, I decided to pay the extra and buy the exact same unit from CBS at 3x the ammount :-(
My whole system still cost less than £500 though :-)
I am using TVR panels to drive the system. Using a servo motor controlled heater valve from Vintage Air. Aircon is a straight switch on/off through a thermocouple and then heat can be added to the mix. Similar idea to Simons, but using resistors and amplifiers rather than computers! (Yours looks great by the way Simon!)
My dash is like this:

TVR controls for heater on Left. Lights are on Right. Bit in middle is jog controller for the on board PC. Just need the car back from the painters now so I can fit it all in!
Mart
I was going to buy this setup from the States ($229!):
http://www.southernrods.com/categories/heating-and...
But the shipping costs were very high. Coupled with the import duty and difficulty to return if there was a problem, I decided to pay the extra and buy the exact same unit from CBS at 3x the ammount :-(
My whole system still cost less than £500 though :-)
I am using TVR panels to drive the system. Using a servo motor controlled heater valve from Vintage Air. Aircon is a straight switch on/off through a thermocouple and then heat can be added to the mix. Similar idea to Simons, but using resistors and amplifiers rather than computers! (Yours looks great by the way Simon!)
My dash is like this:

TVR controls for heater on Left. Lights are on Right. Bit in middle is jog controller for the on board PC. Just need the car back from the painters now so I can fit it all in!
Mart
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Keith