Toggle switch with auto return

Thread Starter

AverageKd

Joined Dec 16, 2020
2
Just seeing if anybody knows of a toggle switch configured on-off-on with an auto return after let's say 5 sec or so? Needing turn signals in my racecar and the toggle switch I use right now is fine but I tend to leave it on alot. (No way of knowing other then a tiny light I have). Anything I could do to have it "spring back" on a delayed timer. Even if I need to build a small circuit to trip it with a potentiometer to adjust delay. Just not really sure how to pull it off.

Thank you in advance,
Sam
 

crutschow

Joined Mar 14, 2008
34,280
You could use a spring-back switch, such a Dd suggested, along with a timer (e.g. 555 or resistor-capacitor-MOSFET) to delay the off.
 

Tonyr1084

Joined Sep 24, 2015
7,852
I've never seen or heard of a switch that will spring back to "Open" after a set period of time. That's not to say they don't exist.

What you want is probably a "One Off" setup. Meaning you're going to have to build something to suit your desired reaction. A center off spring loaded switch is easy enough to find. You'll just have to build a circuit that detects the closing of that switch then powers the blinker for a set period of time. Meaning you tap it to the right and then let it go, and the right turn blinker activates for a set period of time, be it - five seconds, 10 seconds; whatever time period you design for. Then the blinkers turn off. This is what I mean by One Off. You're probably not going to find such a manufactured switch. Most likely because there may be two or three people in the whole world who would buy one.

My Tacoma (2017) has a blink feature. Tap the turn signal lever up and the right blinker will blink for three times then stop. Or to the left - same thing either way. OR you can hold it for a prolonged blinking period. But during racing I'm guessing you probably don't want to be holding a switch at 212 MPH. Maybe you can find something like that at a junk yard. I don't know if the blink function is controlled by the computer or if it's controlled by a Body Control Module (BCM), or if it's something that stands alone.

Crutschow has the right answer - spring loaded switch to activate a 555 timer. The timer controls the blinker.
 

crutschow

Joined Mar 14, 2008
34,280
Assuming the switch center (wiper) normally is connected to 12V blinker and the contacts go to the turn-signal bulbs, here's a relatively simple circuit that doesn't require a ground connection, which should do what you want:
The value of R4*C1 determines the delay time.

You will need two circuits, one for each side.

1608165273531.png
 
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