RF controlled remote switching

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jedi_saber
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RF controlled remote switching

Post by jedi_saber »

Ok guys, on hand, we have a rather exotic install detail... A nifty 2002 BMW 5series....
The nice thing about this baby is that the battery is in the trunk. Image

Among one of the issues with a vehicle this is that it is way to nice to drill into or hack around in the wood and leather console and dashboard of this vehicle. But that aside, discretion is definitely a major factor as there is neither room for a controller, nor would one look asthetically appealing. The rear seats do not fold on this and it seems difficult to run wires in this car in general...

So here is my thought, and I am soliciting your feedback on this. Like many new vehicles, this one has the home remote memory system, or whatever it may be called. You can program up to three remote garage door openers, remote controlled floodlight or interior light of your house etc... I guess this would also clone the signal of one of those plugs where you can connect an appliance and remote turn it on and off, as sold at RadioShack for $17.
Image (I am referring to the 1-2-3 switches in the overhead console)
My thought is to drop hideaway strobes in the taillight and run all the wiring, powersupply and such in the trunk (where all the power is anyway) and then possibly use the existing overhead switches to activate them.
Does anyone know if there is such a device out there that would work with this built-in remote for 12v, or automotive applications?

I know that this is almost crossing into the super-whacker category and into the league of cars with lights that shouldnt (Hybrids, Ford Tempos et al :roll: ), but I would be interested in this rf controlled remote application for automotive stuff. Would be neat for many other applications and installs in hard to get to places I would think, if you simply wanted to turn something on or off.

Any insights are greatly appreciated!

And for S&g's I took this photo just for you guys! Image
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Terriers618
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Post by Terriers618 »

if its possible, change one of the buttons from the rf modulator to a push switch and run wires to the back, if thats not possible then try and get one of thoes radio shack things and modify it if your good with electronics
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thebigphish
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Post by thebigphish »

bwwawawawawahahahahaha...nice dashmount! :D
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ROSDJS
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Post by ROSDJS »

I can imagine that those switches are on an extremely low output setting, but having common frequencies (usually can change your own on the garage door for when the neighbor gets a new one and your gargage opens on it's own all the time). My only fear would be RF from somewhere else triggering your lighting when ya don't want it.....

Matt
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chartofmaryland
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here

Post by chartofmaryland »

Why don't you just program the H / L on the spectra and add the VIP harness w/ relay, theres five or six switches depending on how many functions are tied up in the face, ie. scan, mon, secure, mode up / down, mpl, and all the rest, this will also be determined by, how many lights we are planning on putting in and controlling one at a time. You usually don't see an A4 head just ther already in the car ! Nice touch and theres something to work with.



CHART
If the lights are out when you leave the station and then come on the second you key up, you know you have enough power.
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jedi_saber
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Post by jedi_saber »

Matt-- good point, didnt think of that, someone in the neighborhood hitting their garage door and my lights go off! :D

Jason- that may be a thought on the spectra. However, I am not sure if this car will get a mobile quite yet. Ideally I would like a remote handheld control, sorta like an astro W3 (or I got a nice systems saber convertacom from seth with the nice syssaberIII hand controller) Problem is that there is literally no room to mount stuff.
On a positive note, our radio infrastructure is good enough that I can basically run on portable radio only if I had to.

I am trying to avoid running cables at all cost here. Just not sure where I can place switches and stuff to have it look extremely sleek and covert and it basically is just a thought and I wanted to see what you guys thought! I really wanted to put another Unitrol Omega 8102 in this car, but I think we all agree that may not be an option... (Perhaps it ought to be painted green and white with "POLIZEI markings and a single blue beacon on top with a HiLo siren!)
Keep the ideas coming, I am willing to learn and have my notepad handy! :)
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chartofmaryland
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OOOhhh

Post by chartofmaryland »

Yeah you got me on that one, I can now on harder look see the cropping, nicely done, humm, you drive a hard one here, with the "not running" deal, that would take time with the car and then I can think wider thoughts.

Well, TST makes a wireless keypad controlled switch panel now, its proably god awful expensive but thats the new non wire toy for all the new CENTURY brand rollbacks and extra long wreckers they just came out with, I last saw in person at the baltimore fire conv. I think they run some kind of encryption from head to unit to redirect interference problems. the actual controller is about the size of a tv remote and mounts anywhere, the head is something small in its self. Let me look for a link.
If the lights are out when you leave the station and then come on the second you key up, you know you have enough power.
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chartofmaryland
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got it

Post by chartofmaryland »

Go to http://www.tst-corp.com and hit products followed by flashmaster PLC control system. you can see a small pic of what it looks like, the head needs 12 volts but wireless from there. Can also do (8) 10 amp outputs, you can relay from there. I have a wired version head around if you wanta try just the head for mounting before ordering the kit, just to give some idea, its the same one they use in the wireless version.
If the lights are out when you leave the station and then come on the second you key up, you know you have enough power.
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jedi_saber
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Post by jedi_saber »

Hey Bro, thanks for the link, it looks interesting and I will look into that. What I think I may do is hit up a BMW tech at a local dealer and see what the 411 on this cruiser is.

I am sure these ppl had to do some drilling and running wires... :D
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c17loadsmasher
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Post by c17loadsmasher »

Sweet Mother of God! That's too too...odd! I have a Vector on my TrailBlazer, but at least it looks okay. That just looks out of place on the Bimmer. I've never seen a conventional (read: American) lightbar in Europe when I was flying around with the USAF the last couple years. Always the cheezy large lightbar with two rotators and the Hi-Lo. As annoying as that siren is, the one the ambulances and the fire apparatus use is quite effective (the one with the actual airhorns). LOUD!
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familo77
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FlashMaster PLC Control System

Post by familo77 »

Anyone know or care to guess a price on this system?
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