Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Performance and Technical Chat

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-27-2012, 05:04 PM   #1
1999 base
 
Meir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 1,617
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverSpear View Post
Meir, thank you for the great explanation.

Let me elaborate further: I want to integrate the mechanism, the relays and a push button (click me) to make this happen.

The push button will be installed underneath the brake pedal in a way that it activates under hard braking (and not each time that I push the brakes). I will install it as precise as possible that the brake lever pushes the switch whenever it is pressed all the way down. Whenever I take my foot out, it retracts automatically.

As I suspected (and you confirmed), the ECU in the Boxster controls the operation of the motor and cuts power at a precise time delay (4-6 seconds...). But in your case, if there is a fault between your relays and ECU, that means your motor has no way of stopping once you push your manual switch. Otherwise, the ECU does not control the timer... and there is something we don't know here.
Hi silver.
for the first part of your post.
using this type of switch will not get you anywhere. it is probably the worst one you can use for this task. if you think doing it with a switch at least use something equivalent to that:

this is the safety switch for the clutch pedal of the boxster. there are other generic switches just like it, for less $ (i just don't know how its called in English).
the nice thing about this type of switch (on top of the fact it is very robust), is the ability to bend the lever, and get much accurate setting.
not only that, if you would like to activate the switch using the pedal, it will not break if the pedal has more travel after touching the switch. the switch lever will flex like a leaf spring, and will return to its initial position once released.
problem is, it will be activated every time you will press the brake to the set level.
if you want to do it the right way, i have an accelerometer sensor, that can detect deceleration, and can be configured in 0.5G increments. it also has internal timer to adjust the output length (to hold a relay).
just like Tony, i'm not sure if the spoiler will operate the way you want it. it extract really slow, and by the time it will be all the way out, you will be probably stopped already.
as for the second part of your post.
the switch that manually activate the spoiler, is not a one touch switch.
you have to press and hold it, until it complete its travel (both ways). you can even leave the spoiler half way open, if you want.
looking again at the diagram, i can see that on top of the two relays (that looks like generic 5 legs) there are 5 wires going to the spoiler motor as well (can you confirm ?).
so... there is another circuit on the motor itself. could be i have a faulty motor.
i'm sure ill be able to find the issue once ill dive in to it (this is the first time i even look at the diagram).
worst case i'll ask Tony to build me a circuit the connects to the VSS and activate the relays.

Last edited by Meir; 10-27-2012 at 05:13 PM.
Meir is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2012, 06:57 AM   #2
1999 base
 
Meir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 1,617
Garage
just an update.
was looking in my Bentley book this morning.
the spoiler is controlled by the cluster module and not the ECU.
(was hard to see in the diagram posted by thstone)
my car is an 01, so the electrical system is deferment then other years (don't ask me why). maybe ill have a look at it today while hacking my LED lights.

Last edited by Meir; 10-28-2012 at 07:11 AM.
Meir is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2012, 07:41 AM   #3
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Lebanon
Posts: 11
Quote:
Originally Posted by Meir View Post
just an update.
was looking in my Bentley book this morning.
the spoiler is controlled by the cluster module and not the ECU.
Interesting... So now it is either there is a timer in the cluster module that when it reads 75mph, it orders the motor to expand. Another one kicks in when the speed is less than 50mph and the motor retracts.

Best way to do this, is to crack open the wing motor surrounding and see what it contains...
SilverSpear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2012, 07:54 AM   #4
1999 base
 
Meir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 1,617
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverSpear View Post
Interesting... So now it is either there is a timer in the cluster module that when it reads 75mph, it orders the motor to expand. Another one kicks in when the speed is less than 50mph and the motor retracts.

Best way to do this, is to crack open the wing motor surrounding and see what it contains...
that's the plan
Meir is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2012, 07:37 AM   #5
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Lebanon
Posts: 11
Quote:
Originally Posted by Meir View Post
Hi silver

this is the safety switch for the clutch pedal of the boxster. there are other generic switches just like it, for less $ (i just don't know how its called in English).
the nice thing about this type of switch (on top of the fact it is very robust), is the ability to bend the lever, and get much accurate setting.
not only that, if you would like to activate the switch using the pedal, it will not break if the pedal has more travel after touching the switch. the switch lever will flex like a leaf spring, and will return to its initial position once released.
problem is, it will be activated every time you will press the brake to the set level.
if you want to do it the right way, i have an accelerometer sensor, that can detect deceleration, and can be configured in 0.5G increments. it also has internal timer to adjust the output length (to hold a relay).
just like Tony, i'm not sure if the spoiler will operate the way you want it. it extract really slow, and by the time it will be all the way out, you will be probably stopped already.
as for the second part of your post.
the switch that manually activate the spoiler, is not a one touch switch.
you have to press and hold it, until it complete its travel (both ways). you can even leave the spoiler half way open, if you want.
looking again at the diagram, i can see that on top of the two relays (that looks like generic 5 legs) there are 5 wires going to the spoiler motor as well (can you confirm ?). YES THERE ARE 5 PINS
so... there is another circuit on the motor itself. could be i have a faulty motor.
i'm sure ill be able to find the issue once ill dive in to it (this is the first time i even look at the diagram).
worst case i'll ask Tony to build me a circuit the connects to the VSS and activate the relays.
The switch you displayed is really interesting Meir.
I am currently in contact with an auto electrical guru. We are still discussing options.

Thinking out loud, providing a slightly higher and more stable voltage to the motor, do you guys think I can shave a second or so from its operating time? I need to see what is the maximum voltage tolerance of the Boxster motor...
SilverSpear is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:04 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2025 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page