Relays are Awesome!

[DGE73]

Here is how I wired the power supply to my entertainment system.

It eliminates those little annoying things that happened with my last system, plus it satisfies my desire to install lots of extra relays and switches.

The switch is round with an led indicator which perfectly replaced the cig lighter. The relays are mounted side by side on a chunk of hard plastic. The relays all fit easily into the space below the vent between the instrument cluster and the cig lighter.

[StanVan]

I fail to see the need for #3. If this is for the radio memory circuit, it doesn't need the source changed, and if it's for the switched power, the feed in the stock harness is sufficient. You've added the current of one relay that does nothing that couldn't be handled in other ways. I could see using a relay to power the entertainment system without the ignition being on, but #1 would prevent that.

[DGE73]

Hey thanks, you're right. I moved a couple lines in my drawing to make it easier to follow just before I posted it, but I made a mistake. I'll fix and re-post it when I get a chance. Should make more sense then.

[DGE73]

StanVan,

I went through the diagram again this morning after catching up on some sleep, and I did draw it correctly. Each component has a specific purpose. I have been using this system for 2 years and it is perfect for my system needs and lifestyle.



Here is how it works;

"+12V from battery" is direct from the fuse block under the hood and is always live. This powers the whole system to run without interruption whether the ignition is on or off, including starting the van.

The single switch triggers multiple functions. It latches and unlatches Relay 2, which switches the head unit between the two power sources, and powers up the rear screens.

Relay 1 prevents turning on the system without a key. Keeps the kids from draining the battery while we are out camping etc. Relay 1 has no purpose once Relay 2 is latched.

Relay 2 is simply a latching relay. If the switch is on at the same time as the ignition, the relay will hold itself closed and power the system until the switch is turned off, regardless of future ignition position.

Relay 3 switches the head unit between the standard ignition power supply and the new supply any time Relay 2 is latched. Without this relay I would have to wire it so that either the head unit would not power up without the switch turned on, or the movie would stop if I opened the door with the ignition off.

Relay 4 powers up the rear screens any time Relay 2 is latched.




These are the benefits;

It avoids the accidental shutting off of the movie when we stop.

The head unit functions exactly like the factory stereo during normal every day driving.

The head unit is also the video and audio source for the rear screens, so it needs to be on any time that the screens are on.

The rear LCD screens and signal amplifier are off unless in use. Since it is -35C around here some mornings the van needs to be warm before those electronics turn on.

Hope it makes sense.



If anybody wants a similar system with different functions I'll re-design, re-draw, and then post it.

[Jumper]

Hey DGE73.

What software do you use to draw the circuit Diagrams.

[DGE73]

Used to use CAD programs, but I do so little drawing lately that it isn't worth it to but another one. Lately I've just used Microsoft Paint because it is free and there. Not all the functions i wish for are included, but I've figured how to get it done.

[Jumper]

Thanks DGE23.
I have a Ubuntu laptop using it to get some practicedrawing circuit diagrams using Dia Diagram editor. Figuring it out.

[StanVan]

So, let me get this straight. The single switch bypasses the ignition, and if the kids were aware of it or it's location, they could drain your battery. Correct?

Sorry it's been a while since my first question. I don't get in here as much as I'd like.

[DGE73]

Nope,

The switch can only bypass the ignition if the ignition is already on. If the ignition is off, the switch does nothing. Relay 1 takes care of this. This prevents the kids from draining the battery. Relay 2 will latch if both the ignition and the switch are on. After it latches the system is independent of the ignition until the switch is turned off again.

[StanVan]

Sure am glad my kids are grown so I don't have to worry about stuff like that.

[smokinjoe]

I always love projects like this where someone takes their own skill and solves issues that the eggheads never thought of (or failed to solve). Also probly saves you tons of money but even if you threw money at this they would probly screw it up.

Very cool job. Those kids better love their entertainment experience! Now you just gotta wire some subwoofers into the seat bases and some dolby surround. Or maybe some wireless headsets to communicate captain to passengers.

[StanVan]

Pardon the rant, but I gotta say it. My kids are grown, 26 and 31. And entertaining the kids, in the car back in the day was Gameboy and etc. And what that accomplished was to bring kids up in the same town their entire lives that couldn't navigate without GPS. My daughter at least could get to the mall, but my son is lost without electronics. And when I say the same town, I mean the same house. If I'd have known this, I wouldn't have done it.

Don't get me wrong. I love the tech. Both back in the day, and now. I'm a gadget guy. But some gadgets make us stoopid. Take speed dial. 30 years ago, it was offered on our home phone as a service(with call waiting...). We took it, and 6 or 8 months into using it, my wife called from the office wanting a phone number. And it was one she called multiple times a week, but because of speed dial, she didn't know the number. I soon after cancelled that service. But speed dial on a cell is not only handy, it makes dialing in the car a bit safer. So I guess what I'm saying is that tech isn't all bad, it just has it's place. Entertaining kids on trips- good, around town- bad.

Rant over. Next rant, we'll discuss "small, medium, and large". (Why is it that the smallest eggs you can buy are called "large"?)

[Jasen]

Old fart Oh wait...
I remember having a rotary phone and when we finally got an answering machine it was as big as an Atari (Atari was the upgraded game console to the Pong machine) and used a full size cassette tape. The majority of TV was still black and white on all 5 channels including PBS, which we watched. Mom made sure I always had a dime in my pocket so I could make a call from the phone booth. I probably had 20 phone numbers memorized and had a little black book made from paper for the others. I could (and still can) find my way all over my city as well as 1/2 the state and I've never had a GPS.
I laugh when I see someone with a TomTom or the like stuck to their windshield, they have a Mariners, Seahawks, Seattle Opera and Seattle science center sticker on their car and you can see them following the GPS like they just moved here from Boston last week.

[DGE73]

Haha, this thread has devolved. I understand where you guys are coming from.

My kids have to know how to get where they are going and back, or they can't go without me. They don't even have a gaming system. I play with the GPS on my iphone for fun.

10 years ago I would have laughed at the notion that I would have in car video. Then life happened. Something... blah blah ...something about making lemonade.

We have to make long drives every summer, so we bought a cheap unit that plugs into the cig lighter. Cords are too short, can't put it in a good location, 5 kids and a dog bumping the wires, low volume, etc. Never again.

My job is estimation and job co-ordination. In other words I need to figure out everything the installer is going to need, plus anticipate what he and others are going to screw up, and be ready for it. I just put those skills to use when I designed my system. Other than buying a cheap head unit that stuck out and blocked my cup holders, everything has worked perfectly for two years. Changed out the head unit last year to a flush fitting Pioneer double din. Perfect (well to be honest, I hate the clock on the new head unit).

[Jasen]

We can be master devolver's

Sorry, it's a blood disorder

[StanVan]

Devolved, yes. But I don't see anybody complaining.

No rant, but a short story. My niece is also like my kids, but maybe more so. We do most of the family holiday dinners. My niece had been to my house, from her current home at least 6 times. One Mothers Day she called for directions because her GPS had died the day before.

[Jasen]

It's do to all the texting while driving, they only look out the window 10% the time and thus never actually see land marks etc. It's like being driven to the secret hide out with a bag over your head

[chevymaher]

I am really old school, look at the map where I going. Say florida from kentucky. Okay we headed bout half way down. Bring the address and just go.

I have went on several trips 300 miles or so. Somewhere I never been. Listened to the directions from somebody. Okay I on my way.

I worked for a volvo dealer and the boss would give me the phone. It would be a woman. Didn't know any names of the roads. Just drive till the big oak turn left. Then go till you pass the rock wall make a right. Over the next hill second house on the left.
He looked at me and ask can you find it. Sure. Well call when you get there. I was delivering her car after working on it.
No problem describe landmarks this hillbilly can find anything.

Matter of fact I will do better than if you give me street names. You can see a landmark a long ways away. Have time to think. Street names your all driving to slow getting honked at trying to read signs. Kinda tough reading the ones the bushes and trees covered up. Then your just flat lost.

[Lumpy]

I'm always been a little confused and eye rolled when I see SUVs and trucks with dual monitors on the back of the seats so the kids can watch stuff while being driven around. It's almost as if there's no reason to live in a place with great scenery. Why move to the desert, mountains, oceanside, wherever, if car trips mean the kid's are glued to Buzz Lightyear.

When I was a kid, the family driving across the desert SW USA showed me all those great "Road Runner" pink and orange monoliths, those "Burma Shave" roadside signs, those ad's for "View live two headed rattlesnakes ahead" and all the other geographical and cultural stuff that is part of our history. And surely, when that "Grizwald" family reaches their destination today, the kids don't pick up pine cones and watch lizards and hawks, they watch portable DVD players and cellphone movies.

I guess that kind of "Look at America" doesn't happen anymore. Kids, instead, watch something that they might as well watch at home in a cubicle. No need to waste the fuel, no need to turn a wheel. "Here's slides and home movies of our family watching BluRay - You can't tell from the pics but we're in a condo at Grand Canyon". "We had a wonderful time on our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. We saw eleven movies and spent $1300 sending text messages back and forth to our friends, wherever they are".

I'm gonna go wire up a relay.


Lump