TOD controller - knob, wheel, or buttons?

[taylorRichie]

I figure the intermediate choices may come in handy, I don't know... With winter driving I'm not sure what split will give the best control between over and understeer. Basically it's not an issue to add it so why not? The only expense would come if people wanted to have infinite control 0-100%. But I didn't think that was necessary.

We can add it, but it will be with a strict warning, I really don't want to be responsible for damage to people's vehicles, and MBEACH really cautioned us against this.

[VehiGAZ]

With winter driving I'm not sure what split will give the best control between over and understeer.

Good point!! I like the balance when in 4WD-low, but who knows what will feel best at higher speeds in 4WD-high.

Normal ToD operation is somewhere around 90%-10% to 85%-15%, so there's not much point in doing a 75%-25% on top of that. Maybe 66%-33% and 50%-50% would be good increments. If I had my druthers, it would be these choices:

ToD Off (100%-0%)
ToD On (85%-15% nominal)
Locked 66%-33%
Locked 50%-50%

[twistedsymphony]

I'd be happy to help in the electronics department if it's needed... I do lots of custom circuits in my spare time (Meche by trade EE by hobie )

as for the splits...

if you're going to split it PERFECTLY 4 ways you're looking at
5% - 20% - 35% - 50% that a clean 15% change with every "click"
however I get the impression most people are really only looking for this:
5% - AUTO - 50% where "auto" is simply letting the TOD do its thing, 5% gives you the best fuel eco and 50% gives you the best traction.

if you wanted it to be really snazzy you could go with "wheel" type adjuster (think like the scroll wheel on your mouse but tighter to hold itself in place) that "clicks" on both ends... meaning wheel it all the way down and click for 5%, wheel it all the way up and click for 50% and then infinite adjustment in the middle... you could have a 2nd switch that would allow you to switch between TOD control and whatever you have the wheel set to.

[taylorRichie]

Thanks for the offer, and insight.

We're thinking 4 positions just as you said, and more than likely it'll be a 5 position dial. This is the where we haven't fully decided.

5-20-35-50-TOD

We have all the firmware and circuitry done, just waiting for another project to wrap before getting the boards shot.

[twistedsymphony]

sounds like you're using an MCU... are you going PIC or AVR... or something else altogether?

[taylorRichie]

Using a PIC microcontroller from Microchip.

And I can't really say "I'm" using anything... My brother is using it

[twistedsymphony]

cool I've done a few PIC projects in my day.

anything you can tell me about the design? which chip model and language are you using, internal or external clock? I'm curious how "picky" the VX is on the timing... I'm assuming not very since people got full lock by just applying 12V.

Are you adding any kind of power cleaning circuitry? automotive 12V systems is crazy harsh since the voltage and amperage spikes and drops all over the place whenever something kicks on or off.

Have you started working on a PCB layout yet, or are you still prototyping the circuit?

Obviously these are more questions for your brother...

excuse me if I'm excited... but it's not often I get to talk about my love of car modifications and circuit hacking at the same time

I understand if you want to keep the design to yourself for resale purposes.

[Ldub]

Thanks for the offer, and insight.

We're thinking 4 positions just as you said, and more than likely it'll be a 5 position dial. This is the where we haven't fully decided.

5-20-35-50-TOD

We have all the firmware and circuitry done, just waiting for another project to wrap before getting the boards shot.

Using a PIC microcontroller from Microchip.

And I can't really say "I'm" using anything... My brother is using it

Youn didn't think we were just going to forget about this...DID YOU???


Oh if only I had a dollar for every promised VX mod I've seen since 04...


Somebody had to stir the coals...