Releasing boot off door button
Discussion
This is not a mod I have heard of but it sounds interesting.
I suspect it could be done quite simply by wiring a time delay circuit in parallel with the door open circuit.
When you press the door button the door releases immediately and the timer starts to count,
If the button is released quickly the timer would stop and reset,
However, if the button is held for longer then the timer would ‘time out’ and activate a relay to open the boot.
Probably possible to achieve by using something like a delay relay from an intermittent wiper circuit assuming it is self contained and the delay time can be adjusted so it is short enough. (I would guess around 3 seconds would be a suitable delay)
Maplin do a Wiper delay relay (Maplin code no VE03D) with a bit of tweaking of the resistor values the time delay could be changed easily.
You would just have to ensure that the live feed to the boot release relay was isolated by the immobiliser.
I suspect it could be done quite simply by wiring a time delay circuit in parallel with the door open circuit.
When you press the door button the door releases immediately and the timer starts to count,
If the button is released quickly the timer would stop and reset,
However, if the button is held for longer then the timer would ‘time out’ and activate a relay to open the boot.
Probably possible to achieve by using something like a delay relay from an intermittent wiper circuit assuming it is self contained and the delay time can be adjusted so it is short enough. (I would guess around 3 seconds would be a suitable delay)
Maplin do a Wiper delay relay (Maplin code no VE03D) with a bit of tweaking of the resistor values the time delay could be changed easily.
You would just have to ensure that the live feed to the boot release relay was isolated by the immobiliser.
Thanks Brian, that's exactly what I was trying to suss... have got some time today so off to Maplins I guess 
3 seconds sounds a bit too long to me (I'm impatient). The 'immobilised' live feed for the magnetic releases is sometimes taken from the interior lighting circuit, triggered by micrositch off the door lock mechanism but I guess there may be something that is interrupted by the immobiliser, which would be better.
3 seconds sounds a bit too long to me (I'm impatient). The 'immobilised' live feed for the magnetic releases is sometimes taken from the interior lighting circuit, triggered by micrositch off the door lock mechanism but I guess there may be something that is interrupted by the immobiliser, which would be better.
Ribol said:
I remember that, it was a single TVR dealer that offered it as an add on, can't remember who it was but they have probably gone by now anyway.
My solution was to fit an additional switch (in the carpet where the hood pivots) that only works if the driver's door is open, no key in ign required. Even if the switch can be seen with roof off it won't work with the door shut, if you reach in to open the door the alarm goes off. Not perfect but very cheap/easy to do and makes getting into the boot less of a PITA.
I remember that one too; good ideaMy solution was to fit an additional switch (in the carpet where the hood pivots) that only works if the driver's door is open, no key in ign required. Even if the switch can be seen with roof off it won't work with the door shut, if you reach in to open the door the alarm goes off. Not perfect but very cheap/easy to do and makes getting into the boot less of a PITA.
Pupp said:
At least one of the main dealers offered a mod so that the boot could be released by holding the under mirror door button for longer than needed just to pop the door... anyone have the wiring/component details?
There were some threads on this several years ago. As I recall there was a problem with this system over-heating the door release solenoid leading to premature failure. Ribol said:
I remember that, it was a single TVR dealer that offered it as an add on, can't remember who it was but they have probably gone by now anyway.
My solution was to fit an additional switch (in the carpet where the hood pivots) that only works if the driver's door is open, no key in ign required. Even if the switch can be seen with roof off it won't work with the door shut, if you reach in to open the door the alarm goes off. Not perfect but very cheap/easy to do and makes getting into the boot less of a PITA.
This sounds like a very easy answer to the problem.My solution was to fit an additional switch (in the carpet where the hood pivots) that only works if the driver's door is open, no key in ign required. Even if the switch can be seen with roof off it won't work with the door shut, if you reach in to open the door the alarm goes off. Not perfect but very cheap/easy to do and makes getting into the boot less of a PITA.
There was an after-market kit that used a reed switch located behind the number plate that was activated by a small magnet that could be fitted inside the Meta key fob. This one took a feed from the door lock control box so that the reed switch was active when the doors were unlocked
bobfather said:
There was an after-market kit that used a reed switch located behind the number plate that was activated by a small magnet that could be fitted inside the Meta key fob. This one took a feed from the door lock control box so that the reed switch was active when the doors were unlocked
That was done by Modwise..Mark said:
I've got a mod done by Carl Baker that's an extra fob on the keyring that remotely releases the boot. No need to disarm alarm or open door first. Really useful if you are just putting stuff in the boot and not getting in the car.
I fitted one of these to mine, easy to install and a real bonus if like me your car is a daily driver.Right, the Maplins interval timer is nearly but not quite right (it pulls the relay in from being energised rather than waiting until the first pulse, which would do the job).... looks like I need a DEI 528T pulse timer relay. Loads on EBAy in the States, anyone know any stockists in the UK?
The idea is to effectively 'sink' the signal from the release button for a second or two but then activate the boot solenoid. Unfortunately, the Maplin circuit I tried this afternoon isn't quite right.
Loads of bikes using HID lights run delay timers to keep the lights off while cranking engines for starting... the relay used is the DEI 528T, which is aso used in full closure alarm systems etc.
Can't see the door solenoid suffering unduly for being held on for a second or two occasionally; they are pretty robust
Loads of bikes using HID lights run delay timers to keep the lights off while cranking engines for starting... the relay used is the DEI 528T, which is aso used in full closure alarm systems etc.
Can't see the door solenoid suffering unduly for being held on for a second or two occasionally; they are pretty robust
Pupp said:
It's not powered unless the door button is pushed
ETA - it's energised by pushing and holding the button and then de-energised once the boot releases (assuming you let the button go)
Must be missing something but what stops it from working when the car is locked alarmed, like it does when it isn't?ETA - it's energised by pushing and holding the button and then de-energised once the boot releases (assuming you let the button go)
The way I would do it is:
The timer circuit is powered by the door release circuit. It is not energised unless the door button is pressed So no power drain unless someone is pressing the door release button.
The power to release the boot is taken from one of the circuits isolated by the immobiliser. So if the car is alarmed there is no power to the boot release and no way that the boot could be opened whilst the car is alarmed.
The timer circuit is powered by the door release circuit. It is not energised unless the door button is pressed So no power drain unless someone is pressing the door release button.
The power to release the boot is taken from one of the circuits isolated by the immobiliser. So if the car is alarmed there is no power to the boot release and no way that the boot could be opened whilst the car is alarmed.
Pupp said:
The circuit pulses a relay. The relay switches the boot release solenoid. The feed to that solenoid would come from an immobilised source (ie not live while alarm set)
The problem you will have is using a circuit that is immobilised to do this, hence my question "What stops it from working when the alarm is on that won't run the battery down?"Anyway, it sounds like you have something in mind so let us know how you get on.
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