Thread: Headlight pivot controller software?

Originally Posted by telekineticfool

Hey all,

I was wondering if there were any software solutions to my headlight problem. I want my headlights to look like the attached image. I want them low, with just the blue driving lights on when I have my low beams on, and I want them to pivot up, turn off the driving lights, and turn on the yellow high beams when I switch to high beams. Can anyone think of a hardware or software way to do this? I was wondering if there was a small control applet or something I could write...or if there's a better way to do it, feel free to link me or explain.

Well, if the MR2's lights are controlled like 90% of the other light assemblies out there, then you are going to have a problem interrupting the power to the lights. The rotation motors work like this: you hit the lights switch, and power hits the motors. Motors rotate the light assemblies. Attached to the back of the light housings are small arms that, when rotated around far enough, touch a switch and kill power to the motors. You would have to find a way to interecept those switch signals and trigger them when you wanted instead, say like when they are halfway up. There's also the problem faced when you hit the switch, the headlights are powered up, regardless of position of their housing assemblies. Of course, I don't know MR2 all that well. Do those secondary lights come on with the headlights at all times, or can they be turned on by themselves?

Exactly the problems I hoped to deal with via software, ie, making the lights turn on and off appropriately (they don't even exist yet, they're just generic sealed beams...I won't bother making them if I can't make it work). I was hoping there was a way to use a timing relay operating the rotation motor. So as I see it, I'd need four computer controlled relays: Headlights up, Headlights down, secondary on/off, and primary on/off.

Originally Posted by telekineticfool

Exactly the problems I hoped to deal with via software, ie, making the lights turn on and off appropriately (they don't even exist yet, they're just generic sealed beams...I won't bother making them if I can't make it work). I was hoping there was a way to use a timing relay operating the rotation motor. So as I see it, I'd need four computer controlled relays: Headlights up, Headlights down, secondary on/off, and primary on/off.

Sounds like a job for the super serial-connected relay block! I think it's going to take a little modification to your headlight housings though. I'm going out to a junkyard to take a look at that, because my next vehicle will have fold down lights like that, and now you've got me thinking!

You could probably achieve your goal easier by just using a couple small switches and some relays rather than software. Somehow the voltage going to the low beams causes the motors to rise until they hit the first switch, then when you hit the high beams, the first switch is bypassed and the motor goes up the rest of the way,,

What you need may be on most cars with OEM HID lights. They have what they called auto leveling system for the lights so that people don't get blind. It has 2 servos that are controlled by gyros to aim the light at the right place when you hit a bump etc.

Also 92-97 non USDM (European and Australian (not JDM)) Subaru SVXes came with a switch like what you want so that when you have people loaded in the back seats, you can re aim the light to another position.

Originally Posted by Seraph

What you need may be on most cars with OEM HID lights. They have what they called auto leveling system for the lights so that people don't get blind. It has 2 servos that are controlled by gyros to aim the light at the right place when you hit a bump etc.

Also 92-97 non USDM (European and Australian (not JDM)) Subaru SVXes came with a switch like what you want so that when you have people loaded in the back seats, you can re aim the light to another position.

Whoa! Really? That's cool! Where was that when I got this crappy Honda Accord?

Originally Posted by deadweasel

Whoa! Really? That's cool! Where was that when I got this crappy Honda Accord?

How many people would pay 35k for a Subaru in 92?

Now I am on my 3rd SVX and I am looking for my 4th. This time I am keeping both of them. Love the car.

Originally Posted by Superduck

I've been trying to solve the problem of (in my opinion) ugly headlights when they're popped up as well. The C4 Corvette is the only one I've seen that sorta deals with it. They flip 180 degrees so they have a nicely molded shape to them.
Anyway, I was thinking about running two small projector headlights like those made by Hella for the Audi's and such. Then make the headlight openings only open half way (or whatever's needed).

Anyway, good luck and let us know what you decide. Help to rid the world of ugly pop-ups!

Cheers,

Kris

What about the Firebirds I've been seeing around here? They seem to have twin molded projecter housings where the flip lights usually are... I think they actually remove the rotating housings and replace them with the static ones. They look pretty sweet with our without the lights on anyhow. Nice and sleek.