Thread: Wiring Carnetix Valet Switches

an alternate option to your setup is to set the jumper on the carnetix to allow the machine to stay on for 15min. the downside to this is that it will ALWAYS stay on for 15min after you turn off the vehicle. but actually, your setup is better as long as you remember to turn it back off

Well, I think the way I have it, Id leave it in the "normal" position which keeps the IGN hooked up to the PSU.

Id set it to the "extended" position for when I dont want to turn on the car, but run the puter.

Id only ever turn it to OFF when giving the car to a valet/mechanic and dont want the puter available at all. In the OFF position, the PSU detects no IGN voltage and by the jumpers, turns off the computer at a set time.

Originally Posted by sdashiki

Not if you set the Carnetix dead man timer it wont drain it away completely. Set Mac to deep sleep, no power issues. I just want to be able to run the computer without the car on and turn it off for valet/mechanics.


An SPDT with center off position is perfect I believe. 2 ins, one out...or am I completely messing up this idea in my head!?
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a...-SWITCH/1.html is what im leaning towards

http://www.fastmatt.com/carputer/ is the inspiration I got, however he's using a DPDT? Why?

That one from all electronics will work perfectly. A DPDT won't give you any advantages, but would allow you to hook up an LED to the 2nd circuit later to remind you that it's on, after you kill the battery a few times.

Timers...

I have the mini set to deep sleep...and to sleep when inactive for 15 minutes.

So, I have the car set for "normal" mode (IGN state aware) and I turn off and leave the car. I have the PSU set to sleep the computer after X minutes. Should that fail, the mini SHOULD turn itself to sleep based on the system pref setting.

No power should be drawn anymore.

Another scenario is I leave the switch to "extended" and run it without the car on. The PSU timer wont ever kick in, but hopefully the OSX one will after 15 minutes.

My setup involves a 2nd tank battery and isolator which would eliminate any problems that should occur, but thats for when I get done with the entire install first.

I've been wondering about this as well. I already have a valet switch (push button style) installed when I had an aftermarket alarm installed.

I would be interested in your a diagram if you have time to draw it out.

Two SPDT switches.
$1.50 for both. Radioshack did NOT carry anything like this. The best they had were the type with the stickout metal knub thing. And this will be seamless in my cars dash as it matches the stock buttons pretty well. I picked up two, just in case, but I only planned on using one.

The center post is the output; which will go to the "IGN" wire of the Carnetix. The switch will then be able to send the true IGN state of the car, a constant +12V ON or nothing at all.


OFF position
No voltage output on center post.


Position 1
Weird thing is the output for Position 1 is from the post opposite the number on the switch itself.


Position 2
Output is opposite the number on the switch itself.

So there you have it. A cheap, simple switch which will allow you to keep the Carpc ON regardless of the actual IGN state. As well it will allow you to keep it off should you loan your car to someone else.

nice work on the diagram. that should be very useful. Where did you say that you got those switches from?

http://www.allelectronics.com/

They kick ***. Quick shipping and good pricing. Sometimes they have weird stuff too...like these "doll from Saw movies" recorders...