Well we put the body back on the frame for (hopefully) the last time over the weekend. Unfortunately I'm out of town this week (and maybe for the entire month of April) so it's unlikely I will get it done in time for Solvang.
Buddy has suggested that we get as much done as possible and still tow it to Solvang. He even thought it would be great if we could get it started for the first time at the show.
What do you guys think?
I'm going to be home this weekend and hope that I can be home at least one day next week so I can take it in to register it, have it aligned, and then leave it with the A/C shop so they can tell me if I'm crazy to think the Vintage Air Gen IV system will fit
I've been able to place the Vintage Air mockup unit under the dash . . . now to fit a Sanden SD7 compressor on the engine.
vintage air fit under dash.JPG
vintage air fit under dash 2.JPG
Electrical components in the car are controlled by an ISIS (now called Infinitybox) control system (using the lower touchscreen in the console).
As all of you know, our little cars have a standard power distribution system where we have a large cable feeding power to a fusebox and then the power is routed to each and every switch which, when turned on, sends the power to the device (obviously using relays for larger devices is slightly different). The ISIS is unique because you connect the Mastercell to what would normally be the power side of a switch and the switch is grounded. When you flip a switch, a ground signal is sent to the Mastercell. The amperage of the signal is in the milliamp range so the wires under the dash are very small and don't generate any significant amount of heat (so no under dash fires). I mounted my Mastercell under the dash on the passenger side.
master cell under dash.JPG
The Mastercell is connected to two Powercells (one located in the engine compartment and one in the trunk) by a CAN cable (the yellow connector in the photo). This small cable is all that is needed to send the signal to the Powercells to switch a device on. The gray connector in the photo connects the two wires that connect the touchscreen. Not shown is the upper connector where all the wires from the switches connect. Here is the location of my front Powercell.
power cell under hood.JPG
And the rear Powercell in the trunk.
power cell in trunk.JPG
Again the yellow CAN cable connects to the Mastercell under the dash. The larger wires on the top and the bottom are connected directly to each device (left headlight low beam, right headlight high beam, etc). The Powercells can also provide ignition inputs to things like the ECU. Here's the rear Powercell in the trunk. This Powercell provides input to any amplifiers, rear lights, rear turn signals, etc). Note that these are very short runs.
ISIS also has a number of options including the ability to add keyfobs that allow you turn turn off the security system and operate components remotely. This will also allow for the installation of a push-to-start button from a Honda S2000 or similar (I haven't done this yet). For now, I am using the touchscreen to start my car (no key required). I have to punch in a 6 digit security code and then can either push the ignition button to turn on ignition power or hit the start button to start the car.
I have installed a module that allows me to control the Vintage Air A/C and heat from the touchscreen so I can adjust temperature, fan speed, or direct the air to the defrost ducts, floor, or dash vents. The system is not thermostatically controlled so you can't set a temperature like 70 degrees and forget about it (that would be overkill
) . Since I can eliminate most of the switches in the car, my intent is to installl two A/C vents in the flat dash where the original four switches were located. Of course, if the Vintage Air system is a no-go, I will have to go to plan B (I have not come up with a plan B yet)
I do understand that eliminating all the switches with the touchscreen may not be practical but I can always install redundant switches so that I can control devices with a switch or the touchscreen (like using a push-to-start button, or a headlight switch, or wipers, etc).
One other option that I installed is called inReserve. inReserve is a solenoid activated system that shuts off all power in the event that the battery voltage drops below a preset level and stays there for a period of time (in case the lights are left on or there is a short). I installed a momentary switch in the passenger compartment that I push to reset the solenoid so I can start the car. In other words, it prevents the battery from going dead. By the way, I'm running a small Braille battery under the rear package shelf.
I'll upload more photos this weekend of the body install, Wilwood front brakes, etc.
I'm sure that I've bored you enough for tonight and I haven't even discussed the diagnostic capabilities of the ISIS or the ability to program it to provide different "personalities". You can learn more at
http://www.infinitybox.com (the company name changed from ISIS to Infinitybox).
Let me know your thoughts on whether I should bring the car to Solvang finished or not.
Shannon
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