astrosurfer

OK
The title says it all.
I've been working lately on a low fuel light circuit for our cars.
I disclaim any responsibility of designing the circuit.
I now have enough components to make a bunch of these and I am testing the water/gauging interest to see who would invest in one of these.
I'd be looking to make these at home...by hand the complete process from board etching to soldering all the components.
This takes some time and I would only be looking to earn for my time and shipping.
I have a simple 3 wire install and no need for the novice to tear apart their dash. Merely the ability to patch in wires and drill a small hole for the LED.
This could be mounted anywhere the end user desires and is adjustable to the tank level the end user would like to be warned at.
Please not this...THE CIRCUIT RELIES ON A FUNCTIONAL SENDER UNIT.
Meaning that if your fuel sender does not work or does not work correctly, then this would not work either until the sender works properly.

So that being said....it takes around an hour or so to make a board and the cost of components and shipping....I would be asking for say $15 shipped to the continental US.

Post here any interest and we can talk further via PM.

I know that a lot of people will think...I'll just watch my gauge.
That's fine.
I hope some of you are interested in a visual warning.
I am also working on a flashing type warning which takes more time and would be around $20 shipped...WHEN COMPLETE testing has been done.

Thanks.

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

I have a very simple solution. I have used it on most of my cars for switching lights, pumps and what not.

VDO makes a MAKE POINT SWITCH. It's part of their oceal line line of guages & accessories.

Basically it's a dip switched controlled switch that you can set to switch on climbing or falling signal (ohm) and you can set the switch point with a potentiometer to wherever you want it (with the dips set to set the point you can SEE the needle move when you turn the pot meter to set it accurately) It costs about 50-75$ but is a neat little piece, easy to wire into the stock wiring (can use std. 3 pinout gauge connectors)

http://www.vdo.com/generator/www/com...switch_en.html

heff17

iTrader: (1)

ok ive been wondering this for a while. Is there any way to dampen the ohm signal from the sender of the gas tank to the gas gauge. Ive got an autometer gauge that when i accelerate or hit the brakes hard the gas gauge moves about 1/4 a tank. Is there a way to dampen the signal so that it doesn’t vary a lot over a small period of time?

monkihead

+1

astrosurfer

I'll look into this for you.
I'll get back to you with a solution.

astrosurfer

what you need is an anti slosh circuit.
there are a number of resources for this online.
I've just been reading about this on several different forums for the last...well since I read your reply.
Google "anti slosh circuit" and read and find one that will work for a 0-90 ohm sender.
Provide me with a schematic and I'll come up with a price for fabrication.
I tend to buy components by the 100's because I'm usually convinced that I will be able to eventually use them and sell a product.
I have researched all my circuits thoroughly before I offer anything.
The low fuel has taken me time because I was making the board wrong for 8 months, and now I am 100% sure of what I am offering here.

So as I say....please do the end legwork for me and I should be able to come through for you.
I have found a suitable schematic but it would need tweaking for our units.
I will also research this.
Thanks.

camaronewbie

I would be interested in a low fuel warning light definitely.

BUT - only if I do not have to drop my tank for it!

So if any of these possibilities mention are doable without dropping the tank, I'm in. I would like to add a seperate led in the dash so that the little pic of the gas pump lights when I'm low. Weird, cause I was thinking about how this could be done just the other day and how nice it would be!

8t2 z-chev

the circuit astrosurfer has come up with just connects to
the fuel gauge wiring,so no need to drop tank.
i have noticed a lot of '80s cadillacs have a low fuel
warning light(a yellow LED in the corner of the fuel
gauge)

monkihead

Then I could pretty much make it myself?

Then, why have me look for it??



You should be able to come through? Not too much confidence. Thanks, but I'll pass.

astrosurfer

No need for tank dropping or anything like that.

I also pointed out that I did not design the circuit.

I will simply make it because I have bulk components for it and the know how of electronics to make the boards etc.
I'm really offering this as a service to novices or people who do not wish to go to the extent of buying the parts and doing it themselves.
Trying to buy just one peice of any component is not easy and you usually have to buy in lots of say 5 at stores like radioshack. Then there is the cost of the prototype board and the chip itself. So it's sometimes easy to avoid all that hassle.
This is the cost of parts at RS...
10K ohm resistor...pack of 5 $0.99
4.7K ohm resistor...pack of 5 $0.99
470 ohm resistor...pack of 5 $0.99
transistor 2n2222a...pack of 15 $2.59
LED $1.49
10K potentiometer $1.49
741 op amp $0.99
10 or 22 uF capacitor $1.19
circuit board $1.99
Assuming you have a soldering iron and solder and some time on your hands it's really easy to do.
You're already at $12.71 plus local taxes.
You still have not driven to the store and hopefully they have it all at the same outlet. Best to check first before that wasted drive at around $2.50 a gallon.
To tell the truth if it was someone else doing it I'd be considering it myself.
So anyone wishing to take my offer to ship a completed unit for $15 doesn't seem too bad.
Look at it like I'd be doing the fabrication for a buck.
But anyone who would like a schematic for this you are more than welcome to do this yourself.
I will still offer the service to those who do not.


As an addition for the user above relating to the overactive fuel gauge...here's one of the many links that google gave me...this one seems to be the most viable of what I found during my 2 hours of research.
http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1865289
For the most part I had read about the aftermarket gauges not taking this into consideration or the differences in wiring or whatever because of the universal nature of them. Factory gauges are tuned to react slower with internal regulation and dampening of gauge response.
Hope this is of help.

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

I would be interested in an Anti slosh fuel level fixer thing. What info do you need?

astrosurfer

I do not claim anything but the ability and know how to make circuits.
I buy components to play with on my electronic workstation for my own enjoyment. Some work and some do not. I fry stuff by my own doing...and then I research why and what I can do to fix that.
When I come across simple circuits I like to build them.
I have lots of components in my inventory which would work in countless scenarios. One of these happens to be the low fuel.
I print and etch my own boards to toy with. I've been etching the same board the wrong way for 8 months on and off. Part of that problem was my own eyes deceiving me.
As far as my confidence level goes....well....I'll be the judge of that.
I don't come into your topics and post detrimental comments.
You may have just quenched potential interest in a service I am offering. Practically free.
Thanks


Back on track now....
I meant to mention that I have several choices of LED colour available.
I'm thinking I'll just post this up on the for sale section and take things from there. That's the proper place to sell anything I suppose.....so end topic.

zenish

where do i send the money?

astrosurfer

PM sent

dwyczalek

I would be interested in your low fuel light kit but I can't figure out to PM you unless that's what I'm doing right now.

My email is:
dwyczalek@yahoo.com

92camaro32

Are you still making these If so I'm interested.

84 1LE

iTrader: (9)

Old thread, but