Suggestions Needed Please, trying to make a Ford ignition/start stop

Thread Starter

focusv8

Joined Jun 4, 2013
5
Hi all,

I need a bit of help with this one,

I'm trying to make a Ford ignition/start stop button work in an older car.
Its an momentary earth switch, quick push on, long push start, quick push off.
So the operation is,
Single (quick) push activates ignition live via earth output to a relay
Long push keeps the first earth output active whilst engaging another earth output for the duration of the push to earth the starter relay
Single (quick) push de-activates the first earth output to turn the ignition off.

As its for a car it has to be 12v but it could range anywhere from 9v to 18v so some were in there would be the ideal operating voltage.

Now I know that making a simple latching relay will make the single push on or off part of this work but I was really after making it work almost as if it would in factory designed form.

I'm going to assume that I will need some form of IC to control the outputs and that is where I get stuck.

So my question's are,
Is there something already made that would work for me?
Is there anyone that could custom make me what I need?

Many thanks
 

Irving

Joined Jan 30, 2016
3,843
This is a relatively simple project using a couple of the ubiquitous 555 timer chips or a small microcontroller IC for even less parts. The latter would be my choice but the former is easier if you don't have chip programming facilities. Or you could base it on one of the many small-board microcomputers that can be programmed via USB (or for added goodness, over the air, which would make remote stop-start an option too!)

I don't know of a simple/cheap off-the-shelf option, they tend to be expensive and add security, GPS tracking, etc.

Where are you located?
 

LowQCab

Joined Nov 6, 2012
4,023
Most modern Car-Alarms will do what You want,
and it's especially simple in an older, non-computerized Car.

The modern trend towards a "Start-Button" should be
used for that purpose exclusively,
that is, just to provide temporary Power to your Starter-Solenoid.
The Car-Alarm will take care of all other functions,
including Auto-Unlock as You approach the Car,
and Remote-Start functions.

You still need a bullet-proof Mechanical-Switch for
shutting-down the Electrical-System in an emergency situation.
Holding-down a Button until it stops ain't gonna get it for safety.
.
.
.
 

Irving

Joined Jan 30, 2016
3,843
Most modern Car-Alarms will do what You want,
and it's especially simple in an older, non-computerized Car.

The modern trend towards a "Start-Button" should be
used for that purpose exclusively,
that is, just to provide temporary Power to your Starter-Solenoid.
The Car-Alarm will take care of all other functions,
including Auto-Unlock as You approach the Car,
and Remote-Start functions.

You still need a bullet-proof Mechanical-Switch for
shutting-down the Electrical-System in an emergency situation.
Holding-down a Button until it stops ain't gonna get it for safety.
Push-to-start isn't a modern trend, its been around since the 1950's at least, if not earlier. A number of American cars, along with European sports cars, had a push to start, push to stop, system. You don't need to hold it to stop, a short push unlatches the ignition relay (the same relay that was latched by a short push to turn the ignition on) and kills the engine immediately.

In a c1960 sportscar I once owned there was an ignition switch (actually labelled 'magneto') and a push to start button. Keys were for locking/unlocking the door!
 

Thread Starter

focusv8

Joined Jun 4, 2013
5
This is a relatively simple project using a couple of the ubiquitous 555 timer chips or a small microcontroller IC for even less parts. The latter would be my choice but the former is easier if you don't have chip programming facilities. Or you could base it on one of the many small-board microcomputers that can be programmed via USB (or for added goodness, over the air, which would make remote stop-start an option too!)

I don't know of a simple/cheap off-the-shelf option, they tend to be expensive and add security, GPS tracking, etc.

Where are you located?
I'm in Canterbury in Kent

I would like to use a IC for it as I think that would be the better option but the programming of that is not something I can do.
 

Thread Starter

focusv8

Joined Jun 4, 2013
5
Most modern Car-Alarms will do what You want,
and it's especially simple in an older, non-computerized Car.

The modern trend towards a "Start-Button" should be
used for that purpose exclusively,
that is, just to provide temporary Power to your Starter-Solenoid.
The Car-Alarm will take care of all other functions,
including Auto-Unlock as You approach the Car,
and Remote-Start functions.

You still need a bullet-proof Mechanical-Switch for
shutting-down the Electrical-System in an emergency situation.
Holding-down a Button until it stops ain't gonna get it for safety.
.
.
.
I get where your coming from but there is no alarm system or locks on the car (race car) and yes there is a bullet proof way of shutting down the electrical system already fitted.
Using the Ford Power button is an idea for normal use not as an emergency situation use.
The idea was to replace 2 buttons that already do the same job with 1
 

Thread Starter

focusv8

Joined Jun 4, 2013
5
Thats a pretty standard isolator switch and would be standard, or something like it, on any competition vehicle (I had one on the dash on my club-level road rally car).
I can see where your thinking is but that is so ugly lol
Hence that’s why I would like the standard switch to work how I want
 

Irving

Joined Jan 30, 2016
3,843
I can see where your thinking is but that is so ugly lol
Hence that’s why I would like the standard switch to work how I want
Doesn't your race car require an official isolator? What's the 'bullet proof' way of shutting it down/isolating the battery that's fitted now?
 
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