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First some ideas that I think are aggressive mods.
Locked-Out Prevention Circuit
-Completed 12/31/04
Temperature controlled moon-roof tilt
-Part1
completed 03/12/04
-Schematic complete
04/21/04
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 moon-roof
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.
LED Door lock status indicator
-Schematic complete 04/20/04
The car will have keyless entry. The remote locks the doors on the first
press. If you want a confirmation that it is locked, 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 locked or not.
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.
Integrated Phone Charger
-Canceled,
my phone lasts for 12 days
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
Custom Carbon Fiber Trash Can and larger cup holders
-Part 1 Canceled, found a good fitting trash can
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 passenger 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?
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.
Overdrive Off Button on steering wheel
I can drive a manual, but still prefer automatics.
Actually I LOVE Sports Automatics, but can't get one yet.
Well Protégé's have a "Overdrive off" button on the gear stick
that disables 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.
Steering wheel cooler
No matter what the temperature 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 carries 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.
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 actually jump start
your main battery off the trunk battery if needed.
Backlit CD Slot
Similar to my DVD mod in the guides area
Remote start with heat venting
-Canceled, Auto moon-roof replaces this function
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 temperature, windows roll up, moon-roof closes,
air switches to Cycled, and A/C keeps running.
Red Lit dash
-Part 1 Complete
03/29/04
-Part 2 Complete 04/10/04
-Part 3 Complete 04/24/04
Using both LEDs and EL replacements
Red painted brake Calipers
The rear drum breaks will be painted black, as they are less desirable.
Disable switch for door chime
-Completed 03/10/04
Electric Windows Always On
-Completed 03/10/04
LED turn signals and Brake Lights
Flush Door Locks
-Completed 03/12/04
Variable Speed Wipers
Mirror Turn signals (home made)
-Rethought, the
car already has side repeater lights
Involves some custom carbon fiber holders and LED lights.
They would attach to the bottom of the existing side mirrors.
Ground lights on mirrors, linked to courtesy lights
Clear side repeater lights
-Canceled, the car
comes with them.
Disable Automatic A/C on defrost
-Completed
03/11/04
I prefer to run my de-frost vents all the time, as the air from those
vents does not dry my eyes out.
Head Light ON delay
-Canceled for now, don't need it in an apartment.
Headlights stay on for 1 minute after you exit the car.
Can do this with a simple timer and relay, or I can link this into the
courtesy lights.
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 perimeter 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.
Immobilizer
There are a few different options to disable the ignition.
I like the hidden magnetic switch idea's best.
Keyless car
-Canceled at wife's request
Seems possible with power-everything.
It would be cool to have a car with no key needed.
Just a remote, and maybe a code system.
Auto-lock after 1 minute of driving
Great feature on some cars, would be an fairly easy timer/relay mod.
Battery voltage Gauge
Carpeted trunk lid
Remote start
I may use a product, or mod the existing keyless entry.
Audio Control Via steering wheel
Distance Meter and Car Detector on Rear bumper
Would be a fun DIY project.
I would also integrate some sort of "Back off" indicator when a
car got too close to me.
Rear car LED sign
This would replace the third break light (yet still light when the car
is braking), but have the added effect of displaying messages.
Steering linked projection headlights
These would mount where the fog lights would normally go, and provide
extra light aimed in the direction the wheels are turned.
Stealthed external lighting:
-LEDs inside wheel rims, and wheel well, with traveling
effects.
-LEDs inside headlights
-LEDs on ground, with traveling effects.
Passenger-Side Door Lock Switch
-Completed 07/26/04
DaveB Rings Installed
-Completed 07-03-04
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