Fast window mod - motor relays on a PCB! (30 Viewers)

[Spook50]

I had a plan to accomplish the same thing, just using two relays in each door triggered by the switches and powering the motors via new direct (fused) wiring into the doors; no PCBs for my plan, but this looks like a nice clean setup.

Very curious to see how this pans out.

 

[tarheel40]

Thanks for all your hard work @jonnyd42 , seems like this will be a very practical upgrade! Pardon my ignorance, I’m not familiar with PCBs - I’ve currently done the door lock relay mod on the drivers front door and the window relay mod on the other 3 following detailed threads on this forum. Door locks and windows work well but I’m not opposed to improved function, especially with the car off.

Does this mod go just on the drivers side front door to the master switch? Does it improve window speed only or also door locks? Do you have to remove any relay mods or will this just enhance? Thanks!!

 

[YooperCruiser]

Count me in

 

[mabbet]

Count me in too!!

 

[Mdej3]

I don't fully understand the upgrade and what it is for but I'm in for all 4 doors if needed on my 88 FJ62. Keep us posted on updates!

 

[shojitach]

Awesome!!! Count me in please….thx!!

 

[jonnyd42]

Thanks for all your hard work @jonnyd42 , seems like this will be a very practical upgrade! Pardon my ignorance, I’m not familiar with PCBs - I’ve currently done the door lock relay mod on the drivers front door and the window relay mod on the other 3 following detailed threads on this forum. Door locks and windows work well but I’m not opposed to improved function, especially with the car off.

Does this mod go just on the drivers side front door to the master switch? Does it improve window speed only or also door locks? Do you have to remove any relay mods or will this just enhance? Thanks!!

This is the same as the window relay mod, it just organizes everything nicely onto a single tiny board vs. two large relays that may get in the way of the actual window when it's at the bottom.

This mod improves window speed. I'll have to look into door lock mod(s) & see what I can do there.

 

[tarheel40]

This is the same as the window relay mod, it just organizes everything nicely onto a single tiny board vs. two large relays that may get in the way of the actual window when it's at the bottom.

This mod improves window speed. I'll have to look into door lock mod(s) & see what I can do there.

Thanks for the explanation! Agree the relays can be bulky and make the door cards bulge/catch the window depending on where you put them - there was definitely some trial and error positioning them.

I’ll continue to follow this thread, I would be interested in a door lock PCB. The relays have helped and the locks function great when the cruiser is cranked but still not as strong as I’d like with the engine off when the voltage is lower.

 

[jonnyd42]

Back in town. Got all the parts soldered on - functionally works great. I messed up one of my eCAD footprints so the relays have to be mounted on the wrong side, increasing total thickness. Fixing that and doing another spin of the boards. Will also increase the amount of copper on all the high current paths for robustness. The previous batch of boards was pretty quick turn - took a week.

In the interim, I'll get a board ready for testing in my truck later this week.

 

[jonnyd42]

Anyone here in the SF bay area who would be willing to install and test these for a couple weeks, in addition to myself? Looking for a couple folks with 62s. Each one would be encased in a 3D printed enclosure. Would provide them for free to the testers.

 

[jonnyd42]

I created an intake form at this link. If you're interested in a set of these, please fill it out so I can make sure I keep track of everyone and how many they want once the final versions are ready to ship out. ETA is likely end of July / early August.

 

[RevISK]

Yes please.

Filled out the form.
Thanks.

 

[MWM1]

Form submitted! Everything works on my FJ62, just slow!
Thank you!

 

[Lucky1386]

Form submitted. Thank you

 

[BurntToast]

Thinking about any conformal coating for the boards? Unless the enclosure seals it

 

[89BIGBLUE]

Form submitted. Gracias!

 

[jonnyd42]

Thinking about any conformal coating for the boards? Unless the enclosure seals it

Yup will be doing that for the final version.

 

[baacani]

Filled out the form! Definitely like where this is going. Can’t wait to see what you do with the locks as well.

 

[oc cruiser 97]

I also filled out the interest form

 

[jonnyd42]

Awesome thanks everyone! That'll help me keep track of everyone when I'm ready to ship them out - and I reached out to a few local folks to help me test. I want to make sure we get time with them in a few vehicles before these ship out...in case there are fixes I need to do. In the meantime I'll continue to post updates here.

I fabbed out the next revision last night - moved from a 2 layer board to a 4 layer & increased the copper. I have redundant fills on 3 of the layers for the high current path that goes to the motor. The +12V is on its own plane. Kind of overkill but why not.

Once those boards come in, I'll bench test them and install them in my vehicle at all 4 windows. Will live with it for a week or two before ordering a bigger batch. I use the windows every time I drive so I'm a good guinea pig