Fit your own £40 wireless remote boot release
Discussion
Just fitted this to my Chim and it took me about an hour in total. If you can wire a 13amp plug you can do this mod yourself.
The following shows what to buy and how to fit it but there is something you need to consider before taking the job on: this system uses reasonably widely available 433.92 MHz home automation gear and I have no idea how less secure it is relative to the standard central locking remote. There are almost certainly much more sophisticated systems out there which professionals fit and I expect more technical folk will debate the subject. However the mod suggested below does not affect the operation of the car's alarm, and in any case the alarm (on my car at least, 2000 Chim 450 with standard Meta alarm) does not trigger when the bootlid is opened.
My method will also mean an extra keyfob plipper on your keyring. It works in parallel with the standard dash button (see final para of posting re extra security).
I keep my car in France and wanted an inexpensive solution. Furthermore the chances of plipping open a car park full of TVR bootlids is unlikely in the La Rochelle Carrefour...
You need to buy a single channel remote control system from www.quasaruk.co.uk. I got mine from Maplins, ( www.maplin.co.uk ) part number L26BK. They also do spare fobs - part number RN55. Cost me £36.98 for receiver, two keyfobs and delivery but that did include a £3 discount..
Download the data sheet from Quasaruk as a crib sheet and temporarily wire up the receiver to a 12v supply. Teach it to recognise the fobs (transmitters)- see datasheet for details. Set the relay function to momentary action rather than latching (short links 1-2 together).
Link the +12v input terminal to the relay common terminal (COM)so that your output is +12v. Then connect +12v, -12v and output wires to the screw terminals, pass them through a hole in the side of the casing (you'll need to drill one) and screw the lid down firmly. The antenna works fine looped inside the case.
All you need do now is fit it to the car. I used sticky-backed velcro to attach the receiver box to a flattish panel under the dash next to the boot release button and wired the thing up using those plastic cable connecters you squeeze together with pliers.
I took a +12v unswitched feed (permanently on whatever the ignition switch position) from the red cable to the ignition circuit and the -12v ground from the column ground terminal (black wire atatched to screw terminal under the steering column cowl just forward of the indicator stalk).
The output from the receiver should be spliced into the red (with blue trace) wire leading from the existing boot switch. If you are lucky (like me) you will find it taped to its green (+12v switched) feed wire with enough slack to make the necessary connection.
Works from yards and yards away from the car.
Of course for extra security you can isolate the wireless system when leaving the car a long time (eg airport car park) by fitting a simple on-off switch in any of the three wires connecting the receiver unit to the car.
The following shows what to buy and how to fit it but there is something you need to consider before taking the job on: this system uses reasonably widely available 433.92 MHz home automation gear and I have no idea how less secure it is relative to the standard central locking remote. There are almost certainly much more sophisticated systems out there which professionals fit and I expect more technical folk will debate the subject. However the mod suggested below does not affect the operation of the car's alarm, and in any case the alarm (on my car at least, 2000 Chim 450 with standard Meta alarm) does not trigger when the bootlid is opened.
My method will also mean an extra keyfob plipper on your keyring. It works in parallel with the standard dash button (see final para of posting re extra security).
I keep my car in France and wanted an inexpensive solution. Furthermore the chances of plipping open a car park full of TVR bootlids is unlikely in the La Rochelle Carrefour...
You need to buy a single channel remote control system from www.quasaruk.co.uk. I got mine from Maplins, ( www.maplin.co.uk ) part number L26BK. They also do spare fobs - part number RN55. Cost me £36.98 for receiver, two keyfobs and delivery but that did include a £3 discount..
Download the data sheet from Quasaruk as a crib sheet and temporarily wire up the receiver to a 12v supply. Teach it to recognise the fobs (transmitters)- see datasheet for details. Set the relay function to momentary action rather than latching (short links 1-2 together).
Link the +12v input terminal to the relay common terminal (COM)so that your output is +12v. Then connect +12v, -12v and output wires to the screw terminals, pass them through a hole in the side of the casing (you'll need to drill one) and screw the lid down firmly. The antenna works fine looped inside the case.
All you need do now is fit it to the car. I used sticky-backed velcro to attach the receiver box to a flattish panel under the dash next to the boot release button and wired the thing up using those plastic cable connecters you squeeze together with pliers.
I took a +12v unswitched feed (permanently on whatever the ignition switch position) from the red cable to the ignition circuit and the -12v ground from the column ground terminal (black wire atatched to screw terminal under the steering column cowl just forward of the indicator stalk).
The output from the receiver should be spliced into the red (with blue trace) wire leading from the existing boot switch. If you are lucky (like me) you will find it taped to its green (+12v switched) feed wire with enough slack to make the necessary connection.
Works from yards and yards away from the car.
Of course for extra security you can isolate the wireless system when leaving the car a long time (eg airport car park) by fitting a simple on-off switch in any of the three wires connecting the receiver unit to the car.
Edited by fenderbender on Sunday 3rd June 10:11
Hiya
We are in LR town centre, just up from le vieux marche, near Notre Dame.
Yours isnt silver perchance? T XXX KLH?
I know what you mean about the looks you get, and small boys always assume it's a Porsche.
I've seen some great British gear around town - there's an old fella driving a Jag XK150 (black) which is lhd and registered Charente-Maritime (17) and at least two French registered Caterhams.
If you are ever in Carrefour when I'm there you'll recognise me immediately by the trolleyful of Mobil 1 ....
We are in LR town centre, just up from le vieux marche, near Notre Dame.
Yours isnt silver perchance? T XXX KLH?
I know what you mean about the looks you get, and small boys always assume it's a Porsche.
I've seen some great British gear around town - there's an old fella driving a Jag XK150 (black) which is lhd and registered Charente-Maritime (17) and at least two French registered Caterhams.
If you are ever in Carrefour when I'm there you'll recognise me immediately by the trolleyful of Mobil 1 ....
Edited by fenderbender on Sunday 3rd June 10:36
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