PLC Car modifications

[Kool1zero]

I recently came across one of these on the internet and bought it. for a deal too.

anyways im thinking about doing some stuff with my car. like replacing my crank windows with auto, making automatic headlights, maybe even putting an RFID reader in my car, so i could use my RFID card for my house for my car too

It's a Micrologix 1500 very nice PLC

[FOOKz™]

It would be neat to see some buttons control the brightness of the lights inside the car too!


Phoenix Contact PLCs are an alternative but are far more expensive.

[Kool1zero]

Yeah, i've seen those before. This one's pretty sturdy, plus ts the same one i learned on at school (so i already know how it works) its about as big as two fists next to each other

The lights would def be possible, i'll probably do alot of this with relays and NO NC contacts so that if i ever take out the PLC(for if/when i sell it) the wiring will still work as factory with just like disconnecting and taking off a terminal block.

for now my problem: this plc runs on 24v DC....Cars have 12v.......
 
everything i've seen out there is a chip and im pretty sure that a car battery can fry most chips out there. the only other DC sources i've seen are AC powered which would mean i would have to run an inverter to power my DC power supply, which just seems annoying (and more expensive than i wanna spend.

[hyper999]

there ya go http://www.virtualvillage.co.uk/12v-to-24v-dc-dc-power-converter-module-003602-013.html?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shcomp

[FOOKz™]

Better hope the Specs. on the PLC doesn't run over 3 Amps.

[Kool1zero]

So, that supply will do anything UP TO 3A right?

also i've got my hands on one of these http://ab.rockwellautomation.com/Programmable-Controllers/MicroLogix-1100
the one farthest left.
it's 12v powered so i *think* i could power that straight from the battery (with some sort of slo-blow fuse to make sure its not going to burn up)
a little smaller with less inputs, but still powerful (and uses the same software )

[Kool1zero]

Some AWESOME car mod ideas Credit to ZapWizard on Mazda247.com

i really like alot of these
P.S. I drive a 2006 Saturn Ion 2, so its nothing special
[spoiler]Crazy Car Modding! The ideas
Hello folks,
I have been driving a 2000 Protege DX, but I am upgrading to a 2003 Protege LX.

I am a pretty popular Computer Modder, but car modding has begun to excite me.

So I am posting my list of my planned modifications. Nearly all of them are electronic, and non of the add horse power.
(I can't afford that just yet)

Tell me what you think.

The car will be Silver, with a dark grey/black interior.
I plan to add red accents to the inside.
Both with lights and paint.

First some ideas that I think are agressive mods.

I WISH I had a moonroof to do this,
also an integrated voltage monitor would be nice for the PLC, if voltage starts to get too low to start the car then basically "Save" into some memory locations, could build in a resume function with a bit saying whether 'if PLC had to shut off due to low voltage, resume like this'

Temperature controled moonroof tilt 
My car will be parked 8 hours a day in the Texas heat.
This means that the car gets VERY hot inside.
Why not monitor the temperature in the car and tilt the moon roof open when the car heats up too much.
Once the car reaches a temperature near the outside temp, the moonroof will close again.
There would be a rain detector to make sure it doesn't open when it is raining, and a battery monitor to make sure the system doesn't kill the battery.

(VEERY functional, maybe could even jack into the alarm since for some reason my car has no alarm indicator light)

LED Door lock status indicator
The car will have keyless entry. The remote locks the doors on the first press. If you want a confirmation that it is , you press the lock button again, and the car will honk it's horn.
But this is very bad in an apartment complex.
So I plan on installing a Red/Green, or Red/Blue LED facing out the front window that shows me that the doors are or not.

Sounds like a good idea to me, doesnt necessarily need to be wired through the PLC though

White Cold Cathodes in the trunk
No, not for show-off bling, but for function.
The little tiny 1/2-watt light bulbs that come standard as a trunk light is worthless.
I would rather light the whole trunk so I can see what I need.

Nice idea, i've got a car charger now, but its still a cord.
a nice addition would be a large slot type deal that fits in another slot. so i could change it and just make a new slot if i ever get a new phone

Integrated Phone Charger
I want a slot that I can stick my cell phone into that will charge the phone, rather then have a chord to mess with.
I would make it semi-modular in case I change cell phones

Not particularly interesting to me

Custom Carbon Fiber Trash Can and larger cup holders
The cup holders right near the dash on this car are too small, and often spill large cups. Plus hanging a bag or something else for trash sucks.
I want to make a carbon fiber piece that will be on the passanger side of the center console that will hold two cups of any size, and also a trash can.
Both the cup holders and trash can will be removable for cleaning.

Idea: I just though of while typing this....why not integrate a cooler into the cup holders?

while an interesting idea, police have enough reasons to pull me over as is

Rear ground Laser
This is an idea I have been bouncing around for a while.
I want a line drawn onto the pavement as I travel down the road.
It will be a kind of "Do not cross" line.
It would have to be bright enough to be visible, and have rain detection so it doesn't reflect into other drivers eyes.
It could even be integrated into a ultrasonic distance meter mod, that would light up a "Back-Off" light at the rear of the car if the line is crossed.
The hard part is keeping the line stable while the car is moving.
A green laser would probably be bright enough for this.

My Car's already manual

Overdrive Off Button on steering wheel
I can drive a manual, but still prefer automatics.
Actualy I LOVE Sports Automatics, but can't get one yet.
Well Protege's have a "Overdrive off" button on the gear stick that diables the fourth gear, and shifts the car into third gear.
This is pretty handy when I need some extra power.
So I would like to duplicate this button onto the steering wheel for quicker access.

interesting idea, a steering wheel warmer would also be nice on cold winter and spring mornings here in north carolina, not sure how you could accomplish either of those well though,

Steering wheel cooler
No matter what the tempature of the car, in Texas the sun can heat up the steering wheel to the point it is painful to touch.
I would like to create a cooling solution for the steering wheel.
Either tubes with air holes wrapped around the wheel, where air carrys the heat away.
Or water, kept cool in a insulated container, and pumped through when needed.
I am still trying to figure the best solution to this.

would help with the likelihood that the PLC could avoid having to shutdown itself, also would help with stereo later.

Second battery in trunk for multiple functions
I plan on installing a car PC later for GPS, DVD, and MP3 capabilities.
Since PC's take some time to boot, you can't get instant music out of your car when you get in.
So often time car computers boot off the car battery before the user starts the car.
But when the car starts the power fluctuates and can damage the car computer.
So other's choose to have their car computer boot After the car is started, further delaying the start of music play or other functions.

Well a 2nd battery could fix this.
I would install a 12volt motorcycle battery. The battery would charge off the existing car circuits after the car is started, but would provide power for the PC to boot up while the car is starting. (PC starts booting when I get in the car)
A bonus function would be that with a switch you could actualy jump start your main battery off the trunk battery if needed.

Backlit CD Slot
Similar to my DVD mod in the guides area

Interesting idea, though difficult to manage with a manual car (unless you practically want to dance before you get out of your car)
with some high sensitivity proximity switches and such, i could make SURE the car is in neutral before
and e-brake on before letting it auto start (could also possibly integrate with the proposed RFID reader: swipe card, car starts and door unlocks)

Either way SIGNIFICANT testing before i would chance this option

Remote start with heat venting
Great for here in Texas, starts engine, roles windows down an inch, opens sun roof, turns on A/C, switches air to pull in fresh air.
Once car reaches outside tempature, windows roll up, moonroof closes, air switches to Cycled, and A/C keeps running.


------------------------------------------------

Now for some ideas I saw on the forums, but many of them I have improvements that I want to add.

Cool, definately individual
my improvement: color control capability!

Red Lit dash
Using both LEDs and EL replacements

not interesting to me, again police already hate me for my driving

Red painted brake Calipers
The rear drum breaks will be painted black, as they are less desirable.

Disable switch for door chime

possibly also low voltage disabled

Electric Windows Always On

too dangerous, stupid if you ask me

Blacked Out Headlights

i'll leave the more important functions alone

LED turn signals and Brake Lights

Flush Door Locks

Variable Speed Wipers

now this is something i would consider adding, not too compicated but corner signals on the outside of mirrors cant hurt anything

Mirror Turn signals (home made)
Involves some custom carbon fiber holders and LED lights.
They would attach to the bottom of the existing side mirrors.

Clear side repeater lights

Disable Automatic A/C on defrost
I prefer to run my de-frost vents all the time, as the air from those vents does not dry my eyes out.

I would be adding on a little to this, with a light sensor, and some method to see if the wipers are on

Head Light ON delay
Headlights stay on for 1 minute after you exit the car.
Can do this with a simple timer and relay.

interesting, i have no Actual parts for any, but i might could fashion some together from random ass pieces

Security system
I have tons of parts from a previously never built car security system.
I have a great car alarm horn, and even microwave perimiter sensors.

Red LED map lights, with switch to go back to white
My wife likes to read on long trips.
But the map lights annoy me, and I can't see well out the front.
Augmenting them with Red LEDs for her to read will with solve both problems.


nice idea, not sure what sort of switch i would go with but some interesting options spring to mind
Imobilizer
There are a few different options to disable the ignition.
I like the hidden magnetic switch idea's best.

Keyless car
Seems possible with power-everything.
It would be cool to have a car with no key needed.
Just a remote, and mabye a code system.

Auto-lock after 1 minute of driving
Great feature on some cars, would be an fairly easy timer/relay mod.

Readout on a nice little LED display up at the dash, could also put a copy back to the trunk (my battery's in there anyway)

Voltage Guage

Audio Control Via steering wheel

Distance Meter and Car Dectector on Rear bumper
Would be a fun DIY project.
I would also integerate some sort of "Back off" indicator when a car got too close to me.[/spoiler]

lol @ the things, i just copied that over from the other forum and it did that

[Kool1zero]

voltage gauge
LED alarm indicator
disable door ding
CCFL in trunk
integrated phone charger --wait until i get new phone soonish
automatic headlights
       http://www.aaroncake.net/circuits/hdlights.asp
Color Changing Dash
always on electric windows--low voltage disabled
mirror turn signals
immobilizer
remote start
      http://www.ionforums.net/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9236
      a thread i dug up from where i considered doing remote start before
audio control via steering wheel
A back-up for if i get out of my car



first thing to do i think is a nice simple voltage gauge. im thinking digital readout, with a gauge style for the cluster. if i end up doing a second battery then i'll make a second readout and a combined readout. (i'm still not sure if im gonna go with the smaller 12v or the larger 24v box) i havent had a chance to delve into how im going to do it but im open to suggestions.

i dont have a lot of free time between working two jobs and attending college full time and my girlfriend, but i'll make it work (here i come parking lot class breaks wiring things!)

[Kool1zero]

im thinking this http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=516-2248-1-ND
driven by this  http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=TC14433AEPG-ND

unless my school will let me have a few of their displays and drivers. they'd be two one segment drivers and displays next to each other instead of on one, but if they're free.....

[Kool1zero]

my DC-DC converter came today, i didn't realize it but the converter actually has a rheostat so i can figure out an average voltage and adjust it to 24v, maybe regulate it to prevent damage to the PLC

I am going with the larger PLC, when i looked at everything i wanted to do, i got worried i would need more inputs
and i also snagged some DC Input and DC output modules

hey, Fookz or anyone, Idea's on how i can read a voltage into a PLC?

on a plus note i went to look in my car for space and realized that i'd never actually jumped my battery. i spent a good ten minutes looking around my engine compartment before i realized that i didnt even see a battery. so i followed some power lines from the fuse box and discovered my battery is in the trunk !!!!!! WTF?? never knew that, but it also means that i have a pretty good amount of space more than i thought i had, i'll get a pic later once i've cleaned it :P

[Tracey]

It would be neat to see some buttons control the brightness of the lights inside the car too!

My car does.. I assumed that was standard in most cars.

[PsychoticWolf]

My car does.. I assumed that was standard in most cars.

My friends Scion tC came with that also with color changing Dash lights

[zack247]

nice, personally this is one thing ive been waiting for on here, CAR MODS!
i have 3 17" displays that, if i fix the backlights, i can put into my car when i get it, and, they only run on 5V, low current consumption too!
this would be a great thing for me to learn from too, i cant wait to see it done! (and in progress)

[Kool1zero]

Yeah, im pretty excited. mostly because I want to try and make the circuits from the ground up as much as possible and try to make it where if I take the plc out it will still run completely normal

The part I'm really excited about is integrating it all. Like I'm thinking that I might put a router in it so I could even wirelessly program it


Okay, getting started with things.
I've found this circuit for the Headlights
http://www.atariarchives.org/ecp/chapter_7.php
my other choice on the light sensor is to use another analog input, which would make adjust what light level the lights came on at easier

Also my friend mentioned how he'd seen someone have headlights that were brights by default and turned themselves down to lows if they got ligth shined at them. awesome
http://www.aaroncake.net/circuits/hdlights.asp
I found that and think that i could essentially use an output from the PLC as that switch, making the circuit itself automatic just triggered by the PLC

[RyanF]

Why not get an arduino or PIC and some relays? IT might make it easier as PLCs have more outputs than needed and require more work to keep them running.  I have an old PLC with over 40 I/O contacts.  I haven't found the programming language for it yet, but its from the 1990-2000 range.

[Kool1zero]

What kind of PLC is it? i might can help you out. personally, i very much like the language that the micrologix 1500s use. just not how much it costs lol, but i can use it at my school for free. i also have the PLC already, but have no arduino's or PIC, yet. i might would use PICs for some parts but i have no experience with them, yet. i need to find a good guide and get going on those. i also need to get going on linux commands, network security practices,  ..... the list goes on, not to mention the funeral tomorrow and work like everyday this week, none the less i have a bunch of photo resistors that my school gave me, i'm gonna check some resistances in various lighting conditions tonight, then i'm going to watch transformers and a couple other movies till i pass out!!! yay!


the only real trouble i'm having is that my larger  PLC doesnt have any analog inputs, so i'm going to use the smaller one i listed second for a couple analog inputs (if i start to need more i'll add a analog module later on) what i want to use the two i have so far are both for light sensors. (one for light coming toward the front of the car and one for the ambient light coming from the sky for whether its dark or not)

they both use the same software, so if i cant use the smaller one solely, then i'll use the larger one and communicate between them, simple





Edit: 11-18-2011

might try to add This thang but redone for a PLC, i maay try to do it digital, bc i'm worried i might run out of analog inputs.....hmmm i maay actually have time to try some of this stuff, i also have a light sensing circuit that i think maay work