Dereck
08-09-2014, 01:34 PM
Hi Guys
After my Back-up light illuminated entry (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=87476) project you must know how much I like overly complicated useless features no one wants, so I thought it would be cool to illuminate the interior door handles with a couple LEDs.
The design brief this time however was to make it as simple as possible without running in a whole bunch of extra wires but unfortunately it ended up not quite as simple as I had invisioned.
The simplest way to achieve illuminated door handles was to use the 12v present on the power window switches, this would mean no extra wiring and it all could be done without even removing the door cards, great.
Using the power on the window switches did however throw up some problems....
The three passenger door handle lights would go out if the window lock was switched
The three passenger door switches reverse the motor polarity by grounding back through the master switch, so the door handle lights would go out if the windows were raised/lowered depending on how the door handle lights ground was connected.
The power is removed from the window switches when the ignition is switched off so the handle liights would go out just when you need them.
There seems to be no solution to problems 1 & 2 and I am not sure they are really too much of a problem as it was pretty much over come with my solution to problem 3
I solved problem 3 by adding a delay relay that keeps the windows powered for 30 seconds after the ignition is switched off and because I had to illuminate the three passenger door handles but didn't want to power them when the ignition is on and the window lock active a second relay was added, a couple of diodes were also needed so I ddin't end up trying to power half the car back through the window fuse.
Here is my wiring diagram for you to critique
http://superstitiongold.com/lincoln/2003MercuryMarauder/Marauder%20Door%20Handle%20LED s%20Scematic.JPG
One more slight problem remains, because I am powering the window switches for 30 seconds after the ignition is turned off in theory you could actually raise/lower the windows during this time, I have made sure all my wiring can handle the currant of all four window being raised/lowered at the same time but have only used a 3 amp fuse to fuse the circuit, so if anyoine actually tried to open a window the fuse would blow.
Hopefully I have covered everything and should have some pictures up later tomorrow.
Regards
Dereck
After my Back-up light illuminated entry (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=87476) project you must know how much I like overly complicated useless features no one wants, so I thought it would be cool to illuminate the interior door handles with a couple LEDs.
The design brief this time however was to make it as simple as possible without running in a whole bunch of extra wires but unfortunately it ended up not quite as simple as I had invisioned.
The simplest way to achieve illuminated door handles was to use the 12v present on the power window switches, this would mean no extra wiring and it all could be done without even removing the door cards, great.
Using the power on the window switches did however throw up some problems....
The three passenger door handle lights would go out if the window lock was switched
The three passenger door switches reverse the motor polarity by grounding back through the master switch, so the door handle lights would go out if the windows were raised/lowered depending on how the door handle lights ground was connected.
The power is removed from the window switches when the ignition is switched off so the handle liights would go out just when you need them.
There seems to be no solution to problems 1 & 2 and I am not sure they are really too much of a problem as it was pretty much over come with my solution to problem 3
I solved problem 3 by adding a delay relay that keeps the windows powered for 30 seconds after the ignition is switched off and because I had to illuminate the three passenger door handles but didn't want to power them when the ignition is on and the window lock active a second relay was added, a couple of diodes were also needed so I ddin't end up trying to power half the car back through the window fuse.
Here is my wiring diagram for you to critique
http://superstitiongold.com/lincoln/2003MercuryMarauder/Marauder%20Door%20Handle%20LED s%20Scematic.JPG
One more slight problem remains, because I am powering the window switches for 30 seconds after the ignition is turned off in theory you could actually raise/lower the windows during this time, I have made sure all my wiring can handle the currant of all four window being raised/lowered at the same time but have only used a 3 amp fuse to fuse the circuit, so if anyoine actually tried to open a window the fuse would blow.
Hopefully I have covered everything and should have some pictures up later tomorrow.
Regards
Dereck