Market question

[JontyR]

I am looking at putting together a new car at the moment, and one of the questions I have is in terms of switch gear.

Do people like the idea of a nice clean steering column and then have the switchgear on the dash/steering wheel or are they happy with using a modern set of switchgear where all of the controls are on the stalks.

I would appreciate some feedback on this matter please.

[Fastpedeller]

I suspect you'll get a huge spread of opinions (like most surveys)...
But for me, I prefer the indicators on the column stalks, also the main beam. Other switches I'm more than happy to have on the dash - In fact I desperately don't like some modern cars with so much on the stalks that it's difficult to recall what's there! needs to be intuitive. Good luck with your project.

[rdodger]

I would suggest it would depend on the style and potential use of the car.

I built mine for mostly track use and wanted a perfectly clear dash so used column stalks and only 2 switches on the dash.

[JontyR]

Fastpedeller said:

I suspect you'll get a huge spread of opinions (like most surveys)...
But for me, I prefer the indicators on the column stalks, also the main beam. Other switches I'm more than happy to have on the dash - In fact I desperately don't like some modern cars with so much on the stalks that it's difficult to recall what's there! needs to be intuitive. Good luck with your project.

Many thanks for the reply. I do hope that I get a wide spread as hopefully it will reflect the market place.

My personal thoughts were to have a nice smooth column with little clutter, but unless you start getting clever with micro switches on the column then getting the cancelling to work requires the indicators to be column mounted. Likewise I guess from a packaging having the lights and fog lights etc all on the stalks helps with packaging and effectively only requires an start button on the dash, along with a hazard switch.

It is good to hear peoples thoughts though...

[JontyR]

rdodger said:

I would suggest it would depend on the style and potential use of the car.

I built mine for mostly track use and wanted a perfectly clear dash so used column stalks and only 2 switches on the dash.

This echos what I have just said...so it would appear that we are currently 2-0 to stalks.

[f1rob]

If I was a computer wiz I would put a link up but in a complete computer idiot so you will have to google yourself of the new Caterhams dash
Some have got 12/14 buttons spread all over the dash
They might be very nice buttons but the dash looks awful !
stalks for me

[Fastpedeller]

JontyR said:

but unless you start getting clever with micro switches on the column then getting the cancelling to work requires the indicators to be column mounted.

Years ago you could get dash mounted indicator switches which cancelled by letting air into a sucker worked by a cam (best way to describe it)
Could still be available??

[JontyR]

Fastpedeller said:

JontyR said:

but unless you start getting clever with micro switches on the column then getting the cancelling to work requires the indicators to be column mounted.

Years ago you could get dash mounted indicator switches which cancelled by letting air into a sucker worked by a cam (best way to describe it)
Could still be available??

They sound awful! So I think we'll give them a miss!

I think the plan is as I had assumed, and we will be using column mounted stalks.

Thanks for the responses

[ugg10]

I'd go with Fastpedeller on this one - single stork on the column for indicators and full beam, the rest can go on the dash. I like the new mini toggle switches with the metal hoops to get round the IVA radius test.

[Steve_D]

Depends on the style of car.
By choice I would have the controls on stalks as they are easy to use. Not many kitcar drivers use them at night so do not suffer trying to find a dash mounted wiper switch in the dark.

Steve

[Fastpedeller]

Steve_D said:

Depends on the style of car.
By choice I would have the controls on stalks as they are easy to use. Not many kitcar drivers use them at night so do not suffer trying to find a dash mounted wiper switch in the dark.

Steve

Valid point!

[Fastpedeller]

ugg10 said:

I like the new mini toggle switches with the metal hoops to get round the IVA radius test.

Hmm - I've thought about this, and as I'm not a fan of the hoops (just my own opinion, I think they look 'fussy') could a 'radiussed shelf' for want of a better description, be moulded above and below the switches (effectively making them rebated if you like) to get around this? Surely as long as the ball gauge doesn't touch them or a radius too small then that's ok! I can imagine that the IVA only wanting the hoops though because it's a recognised method.

[JontyR]

Thanks for all of your help guys

The car in question is an open top sports car. I really don't want to give too much more away than that at the moment.

I have found a column that has everything we need on it, including lights, indicators and windscreen wipers. So all we need now is just the engine start button on the actual dash.

I think the toggle switches with the hoops on look great in something like the GT40, but I don't think they would suit our car.

Thanks for the feedback, hopefully once we have a little more information about the car launch, then I will post up on here.

[DRCAGE]

More votes for stalks here(although my kit won't have them!)

I hate the idea of dash mounted lights or wipers.