AutoTop DIY

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Shehadehd

More likely bad pins than a bad board. You can always try four different pins and see what happens. If both opening and closing the top acts the same, then maybe the transistors aren't working properly. Make sure you didn't wire them backwards... you might also want to check to see if the 1k resistor to the transistor is an acceptable value for the transistors you're using.

I used the exact transistor you spec'd and 1k resistor as you listed. In reviewing your parts list,you did mention that you thought it was a 1 k resistor. I have no idea how to check what value the transistor needs
I double checked the transistor wiring and it is correct

The clicking is both on open and close

[Shehadehd]

Originally Posted by JayG

I used the exact transistor you spec'd and 1k resistor as you listed. In reviewing your parts list,you did mention that you thought it was a 1 k resistor. I have no idea how to check what value the transistor needs
I double checked the transistor wiring and it is correct

The clicking is both on open and close

Haha, I didn't write the thread. I can look through the transistor to see if it'll theoretically work but the OP got it working in his so it's probably fine. It looks like he gave a top down view of the transistor in the wiring diagram so be sure that you have the left most pin ( if you're holding the transistor with the curved side towards you) wired to the switch harness.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Shehadehd

Haha, I didn't write the thread. I can look through the transistor to see if it'll theoretically work but the OP got it working in his so it's probably fine. It looks like he gave a top down view of the transistor in the wiring diagram so be sure that you have the left most pin ( if you're holding the transistor with the curved side towards you) wired to the switch harness.

From what I can tell, it is wired correctly

[Shehadehd]

Originally Posted by JayG

From what I can tell, it is wired correctly

hmm... give me a minute to take a look at the transistor. Is it possible to take a picture of your set-up? Also, is the relay that's clicking the one that's by the foot pedals?

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Shehadehd

hmm... give me a minute to take a look at the transistor. Is it possible to take a picture of your set-up? Also, is the relay that's clicking the one that's by the foot pedals?

the relay clicking is the C top relay
I think it is the motors in the actual top I hear clicking

I can take a pic, but I don't know how much use it would be. I used a header connector with attached wires and soldered and heat shrunk all the connections

[Pdwight]

I bet you have the Emitter and the Collector reversed on the transistors, the Base is almost always in the middle

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Pdwight

I bet you have the Emitter and the Collector reversed on the transistors, the Base is almost always in the middle

I have already tried reversing the transistors.

Originally Posted by Pdwight

It is simply a electronic switch, the 1K resistor is a current limiting device to protect the transistors from drawing too much current. It would help if the writer listed the EBC codes on the drawing. I will try to open this up a bit. The 1K resistors go to the Base of the transistor, it looks like the Emitter is grounded and the Collector supplies switched power to the harness. The Arduino can only handle a few milliamps of current so the transistors are used like electronic relays to trip the regular relay in the car.

I did verify the pin out with the data sheet of the part
With the part I have the collector is grounded and emitter goes to harness
Is that wrong?

[Pdwight]

It is simply a electronic switch, the 1K resistor is a current limiting device to protect the transistors from drawing too much current. It would help if the writer listed the EBC codes on the drawing. I will try to open this up a bit. The 1K resistors go to the Base of the transistor, it looks like the Emitter is grounded and the Collector supplies switched power to the harness. The Arduino can only handle a few milliamps of current so the transistors are used like electronic relays to trip the regular relay in the car.

[Shehadehd]

Originally Posted by Pdwight

It is simply a electronic switch, the 1K resistor is a current limiting device to protect the transistors from drawing too much current. It would help if the writer listed the EBC codes on the drawing. I will try to open this up a bit. The 1K resistors go to the Base of the transistor, it looks like the Emitter is grounded and the Collector supplies switched power to the harness. The Arduino can only handle a few milliamps of current so the transistors are used like electronic relays to trip the regular relay in the car.

I just wanted to make sure that the Base voltage was okay to put the transistor into a saturated state and that the resistor wasn't too small and causing the output pins on the board to overdrive or not providing enough base current for the collector current needed.

[Pdwight]

Take a meter and see if the transistors switch ....

[Pdwight]

I was going to build one of these, have a box of parts right here but cannot get the code to load in my module...any of them ?? Im using Nano modules BTW

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Pdwight

Take a meter and see if the transistors switch ....

Originally Posted by Shehadehd

I just wanted to make sure that the Base voltage was okay to put the transistor into a saturated state and that the resistor wasn't too small and causing the output pins on the board to overdrive or not providing enough base current for the collector current needed.

you guys are great and thanks for your help

I'm gonna breadboard it this week and see if it is switching correctly

I'll post an update once I have a chance to test it

I put everything back to stock for now and at least the top still works correctly

At least I now have a switched 12v line in the upper console. I connected it from the unused phone connector in the bottom of the console

thanks again