Bunch of newb questions...
Discussion
I'm new to this "build your own car" stuff so I've got a few questions:
I haven't found any universal simple to fit steering stalk switch to operate the turn signals. How do people solve this on their kit cars? Everything else can be operated by panel switches, but turn signals not.
I've read the IVA manual but I want to double check some things in the construction and use regs. I assume that just because a car passes IVA doesn't guarantee it complies with construction an use?
I'm also confused about how the construction and use regs fit with EU type approval regs. If I want to build a road legal vehicle which one should I be looking at? Or do they have different purposes?
Specifically I'm concerned with the hydraulic steering. The IVA manual says that the steering needs to work if the power assistance fails and also the steering needs to self centre above 10mph. Both these requirements can be achieved if I use the correct orbital steering valve, but I wanted to also check that there aren't more requirements in the contsruction and use regs.
What's a good textbook on designing space frames?
Has anyone ever used a FARO arm for modeling their parts into CAD? It's a long arm, you touch the tip onto key points on your parts, and it reads out 3D co-ordinates that you use as measurements for your CAD drawings. I've got access to a FARO arm, but it's on a granite table so I can't put engines and gearboxes on there. Is there any tricks people use to measure up engines and such parts to draw them in CAD? Maybe a cheap draper laser angle measure and some clever use of trigonometry? That's probably inaccurate but maybe someone has some tricks?
Last question is a bit random.... if I understand the basic principle of Canbus, it's a digital signal that goes to computers around the car, and the computers break out the digital signal back into analogue that can power lights etc. In theory this sounds great, instead of a chunky 2" thick wiring loom I could now have just two wires, a digital signal wire and a positive. Does anyone ever build kit cars using some digital electrical system to save wiring? Or not yet possibl?
Thanks!
I haven't found any universal simple to fit steering stalk switch to operate the turn signals. How do people solve this on their kit cars? Everything else can be operated by panel switches, but turn signals not.
I've read the IVA manual but I want to double check some things in the construction and use regs. I assume that just because a car passes IVA doesn't guarantee it complies with construction an use?
I'm also confused about how the construction and use regs fit with EU type approval regs. If I want to build a road legal vehicle which one should I be looking at? Or do they have different purposes?
Specifically I'm concerned with the hydraulic steering. The IVA manual says that the steering needs to work if the power assistance fails and also the steering needs to self centre above 10mph. Both these requirements can be achieved if I use the correct orbital steering valve, but I wanted to also check that there aren't more requirements in the contsruction and use regs.
What's a good textbook on designing space frames?
Has anyone ever used a FARO arm for modeling their parts into CAD? It's a long arm, you touch the tip onto key points on your parts, and it reads out 3D co-ordinates that you use as measurements for your CAD drawings. I've got access to a FARO arm, but it's on a granite table so I can't put engines and gearboxes on there. Is there any tricks people use to measure up engines and such parts to draw them in CAD? Maybe a cheap draper laser angle measure and some clever use of trigonometry? That's probably inaccurate but maybe someone has some tricks?
Last question is a bit random.... if I understand the basic principle of Canbus, it's a digital signal that goes to computers around the car, and the computers break out the digital signal back into analogue that can power lights etc. In theory this sounds great, instead of a chunky 2" thick wiring loom I could now have just two wires, a digital signal wire and a positive. Does anyone ever build kit cars using some digital electrical system to save wiring? Or not yet possibl?
Thanks!
Hi 
Otherwise, you can use the column switches which came with the donor column, or get something else and make bracketry to get it to fit. I used peugeot 106 stalks on my sierra column, for example. Universal though, no.
The IVA is the UK adoption of EU type approval regs, modified for individual vehicles, rather than massed produced ones. At the begining of the IVA manual is a big list of the EU and other regs which it enacts.
All you need to worry about is the IVA, that covers everything.
Everyone's still using normal analogue wiring for kits really.
rcx106 said:
I'm new to this "build your own car" stuff so I've got a few questions:
I haven't found any universal simple to fit steering stalk switch to operate the turn signals. How do people solve this on their kit cars? Everything else can be operated by panel switches, but turn signals not.
Lots of people put their indicator switches on the dash, I think Caterham do to.I haven't found any universal simple to fit steering stalk switch to operate the turn signals. How do people solve this on their kit cars? Everything else can be operated by panel switches, but turn signals not.
Otherwise, you can use the column switches which came with the donor column, or get something else and make bracketry to get it to fit. I used peugeot 106 stalks on my sierra column, for example. Universal though, no.
rcx106 said:
I've read the IVA manual but I want to double check some things in the construction and use regs. I assume that just because a car passes IVA doesn't guarantee it complies with construction an use?
No, passing IVA means it does comply. That's kind of the point of it. If something didn't conform to C&U, it wouldn't get through the IVA test.The IVA is the UK adoption of EU type approval regs, modified for individual vehicles, rather than massed produced ones. At the begining of the IVA manual is a big list of the EU and other regs which it enacts.
All you need to worry about is the IVA, that covers everything.
rcx106 said:
What's a good textbook on designing space frames?
Has anyone ever used a FARO arm for modeling their parts into CAD?
<snip>
My stock answer here - get over to locostbuilders.co.uk and ask on the chassis section, people there pretty much know all of the things in this area.Has anyone ever used a FARO arm for modeling their parts into CAD?
<snip>
rcx106 said:
Last question is a bit random.... if I understand the basic principle of Canbus, it's a digital signal that goes to computers around the car, and the computers break out the digital signal back into analogue that can power lights etc. In theory this sounds great, instead of a chunky 2" thick wiring loom I could now have just two wires, a digital signal wire and a positive. Does anyone ever build kit cars using some digital electrical system to save wiring? Or not yet possibl?
Thanks!
I dare say it's possible, but I've not heard of anyone doing it for a whole car yet, I imagine you'd need programmable controllers and be a dab hand at low-level programming.Thanks!
Everyone's still using normal analogue wiring for kits really.
vx220 said:
Try Car Builder Solutions for column mounted stalks
Thanks, ugly as hell, but simple and universal fit: http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/indicator-sw...The original production ones need to be covered with a steering cowl which I won't have (very simple cabin, like on old jeeps is what I'm planning).
rcx106 said:
instead of a chunky 2" thick wiring loom I could now have just two wires, a digital signal wire and a positive.
At it's thickest point the loom in my Fury is about 20mm & that's for about 300mm behind the dash until it splits up, from there it's about 6mm & less than that throughout most of the car.Canbus multiplex wiring.
Take a look here, http://infinitybox.com/
I have used this system in building my Gardner Douglas T70. It is not only neater and lighter but makes wiring an absolute doddle once you get your mind round all switches being just earth connections. Its now standard issue on all RCR kits in America.
It comes pre-programmed for all car functions except control of wipers and washers. But Simtek UK have a module http://www.bodylogicuk.com/index.php/4/ that will connect any column switch to any motor / washer.
For the matching dip-main-flash-indicators-hazard switch, you just bring an earth to the pin normally used for 12V power in, then connect all the function pins to the matching inputs on the Canbus control box. Simple - no flasher / hazard relays, its all in the program.
Take a look here, http://infinitybox.com/
I have used this system in building my Gardner Douglas T70. It is not only neater and lighter but makes wiring an absolute doddle once you get your mind round all switches being just earth connections. Its now standard issue on all RCR kits in America.
It comes pre-programmed for all car functions except control of wipers and washers. But Simtek UK have a module http://www.bodylogicuk.com/index.php/4/ that will connect any column switch to any motor / washer.
For the matching dip-main-flash-indicators-hazard switch, you just bring an earth to the pin normally used for 12V power in, then connect all the function pins to the matching inputs on the Canbus control box. Simple - no flasher / hazard relays, its all in the program.
JohnMcL said:
Canbus multiplex wiring.
Take a look here, http://infinitybox.com/
I have used this system in building my Gardner Douglas T70. It is not only neater and lighter but makes wiring an absolute doddle once you get your mind round all switches being just earth connections. Its now standard issue on all RCR kits in America.
It comes pre-programmed for all car functions except control of wipers and washers. But Simtek UK have a module http://www.bodylogicuk.com/index.php/4/ that will connect any column switch to any motor / washer.
For the matching dip-main-flash-indicators-hazard switch, you just bring an earth to the pin normally used for 12V power in, then connect all the function pins to the matching inputs on the Canbus control box. Simple - no flasher / hazard relays, its all in the program.
Nice one! Just what I was hoping for. Will have a proper read of their site later and see how expensive it will be. Thanks!Take a look here, http://infinitybox.com/
I have used this system in building my Gardner Douglas T70. It is not only neater and lighter but makes wiring an absolute doddle once you get your mind round all switches being just earth connections. Its now standard issue on all RCR kits in America.
It comes pre-programmed for all car functions except control of wipers and washers. But Simtek UK have a module http://www.bodylogicuk.com/index.php/4/ that will connect any column switch to any motor / washer.
For the matching dip-main-flash-indicators-hazard switch, you just bring an earth to the pin normally used for 12V power in, then connect all the function pins to the matching inputs on the Canbus control box. Simple - no flasher / hazard relays, its all in the program.
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