Topic: Lane Change Signal/"KomfortBlinker" Mod kit ready to do it, if there's interest

[TomatoSoup]

Back in February, I posted on the Sol forum, about my lane change signal mod - this is equally applicable to the Sky...

A number of cars have had a feature that is missing in our Kappas.  That is the ability to just 'flash' the turn signal lever and have the car automatically blink the signal a number of times before switching off.  It's especially usefull in lane change situations, where you don't need to turn on the signal and then off again (or forget it's on and trundle down the left hand lane with your flasher going forever )

This seems more popular in European makes, but is spreading.  I must admit I had not missed the feature - until my wife got her new car with it and now I really miss it in my Sol.

So, I took a look at the vehicle schematics and found it would be pretty easy for me to add the function. [...]

The device will hold the signals for three flashes by default, but I've programmed in a configuration mode that will allow you to change that to the length you desire (up to ~10 flashes max).

I'll hazard a guess that many/most here will have a response of "meh!" to this.  But if anyone else IS interested, I thought I might even put together a kit of parts and do a small run of home-etched PCBs. 

So it's been running and tested in my car for ~9 months without incident or failure and I feel comfortable enough to finally go ahead with producing a kit of parts if folks are interested (as mentioned above). I would need at least 10 folks who want one to actually go ahead with the idea.  The cost would be $20 for the kit and (undrilled) PCB, plus $5 for packing/shipping to the contiguous US.  Not sure about Canada since I don't know the postal and customs costs/issues to there.  I might also be reluctantly willing to pre-drill the PCB for an extra $5 or drill and mount the components for +$12.

The kit would include the preprogrammed microcontroller, all parts and the PCB. Plus clear heat-shrink tube as the 'box' and 12" of the 4 wires and a PCB connector to wire it in with  (you'll still need to attach the wires in to your car - power, ground and right & left turn signal wires at the BCM, as shown below). The finished PCB will be ~1 x 1.5 inches (so, small) and can be tucked in to the BCM area, or attached with velcro.

So respond in this thread if interested and let me get a headcount to see if it's worth going further.

Note: I'm not gonna make money off this, maybe not even cover my expenses .

[Critterman]

What does this kit actually do?  And how much if we come to your house for install?    MODMEET at TS

[TomatoSoup]

What does this kit actually do? 

It provides:

the ability to just 'flash' the turn signal lever and have the car automatically blink the signal a number of times before switching off.  It's especially usefull in lane change situations, where you don't need to turn on the signal and then off again

Note how I carefully ignored the TS Mod Meet suggestion

[Sly Bob]

Yeah, count me in Mark and sign me up for the MM.   

[Sol Asylum]

GJ mod meet at TS!

Don't tell anyone though, I think TS wants to keep this on the down low.

[Jim]

Count me in.

Thanks!

[2kwk4u]

I'm in!  In fact, if you need a hand putting things together, hit me up.  I'm not far away now.

[redragon]

Count me in as well.

[cdnite]

I'm in too!

--Christian

[Gentleman Jack]

I'm in for the MM. Already have flashy blinky thingies

[Helios]

Sure. I'm in.

[bds]

I'm definitely in! (I think that makes me #8 on KP alone.) Can't wait!

[TomatoSoup]

OK, well a rough count of those interested indicates 7 folks on this forum alone, plus another 14 on the other two (Solstice and Sky) so far.

One change to the price, though. Shipping (which I thought would be $5) will be $6 for a flat rate USPS box. So add another 1$ to the cost from before:

Kit of parts: $26 shipped
Pre-made: $38 shipped
(no one asked for the middle kit+drilled PCB)

So since we are well over the 10 minimum to go ahead with this (err, yay!), on to the next stage... I've set up an separate email account for this: Kappablinker -at- gmail dot com. If you truly want to get one (or more) of these, email me at that address (do NOT PM me or the box will fill up). I will then send you Paypal instructions for payment. Once I have cash in hand I will order parts and then start building (don't forget to give me your address - still US only!). Please be aware, I will only make a maximum of 30 sets! This may take some time so be patient, I will build and ship batches in the order of payments received.

Since I'll be out of town at a customer site all next week, I'll give you all that time to email me etc, and so should be ready to order parts next weekend.

Onward and upward!
Again: Kappablinker -at- gmail dot com

[ryansalazan]

Count me in!

[Gentleman Jack]

TS-
When is the mod meet?

[DeepBlueGXP]

do you have pictures of the setup and where the board is installed

[Sol Asylum]

The board will get installed at TS's mod meet, pay attention Joe.

[TomatoSoup]

do you have pictures of the setup and where the board is installed

I'm out of town all week, so no.  But I just vecro'd mine in on the right of the BCM.  It connects to the C2 connector on the far right, for the turn signals, and then power and ground (4 wires total).

[Critterman]

Hey SA do we have the dates yet for TS mod meet yet?  You know being retired I have to plan ahead.  You are going to drive to this one right/

[elff]

TS, what do mean by signaling before you turn?

is that something people do, because I can't seem to ever recall seeing that on the road.
I see lots of people putting on makeup, eating, smoking, texting, signaling to turn, not so much

[TomatoSoup]

Just on the side note, I'm trying to convince a friend to host a Mod Meet in the spring.  He's just built a new large garage with a lift.  He's currently building a 69 Firebird and an original Opel GT.  He also owns a Sky which he's rebadged as a GT.

Just not sure if his wife will go for it though. 

Is a Mod Meet even worth it nowadays?  Everyone's modded their cars as much as they can, it seems 

[reedred]

I would go just so you're not sad.

[elff]

There is always something to do on our cars.
And since we have not had one in a while, I think people would go.

[Sol Asylum]

Hey SA do we have the dates yet for TS mod meet yet?  You know being retired I have to plan ahead.  You are going to drive to this one right/

I think we just pick a date and show up, TS will accommodate us because that's the kind of friend he is.

[1LILNDN]

There is always something to do on our cars.
And since we have not had one in a while, I think people would go.


I Would be there for sure .That's something I miss doing