C5ALIVE Forum

C5Alive General Category => C5 Chatroom => Topic started by: steve_1360 on 06, April, 2012 - 16:33:17

Title: Crusie Control
Post by: steve_1360 on 06, April, 2012 - 16:33:17
Just went for my first long run (6 miles)   :) and my wrist/thumb is hurting  :-\ after holding the power button on for such a long time. Has anyone fitted a locking power button or something to keep the power on? Just looking for ideas!
Title: Re: Crusie Control
Post by: fezza_rs on 06, April, 2012 - 20:07:04
Yeah I just put a normal on/off switch in place of the standard micro switch.
Title: Re: Crusie Control
Post by: frankev on 07, April, 2012 - 01:05:09
Maybe a hand throttle? Works for me. Can't hold that tiny button longer then a minute. :(
Not the cheapest option but a good and comfortable "upgrade" for this problem.
I also have one with a foot pedal (on,off). Also works for me ;)

greetz

Frank
Title: Re: Crusie Control
Post by: MikeDX on 07, April, 2012 - 10:05:45
I've been thinking about this too. The button isn't in the most comfortable of places.

Due to the way the C5 works, through the pod and ula, I have been toying with the idea of replacing part of the pos with a custom circuit to control power to the motor. An additional button, and possibly one wired to the brakes (also giving the opportunity of a brake light) that can lock the motor into the 'on' position for a specified time (up to 60 seconds) and cut out when the button is pressed a second time or the brake is pressed.

However, my electronics knowledge is still on the 'beginner' level, so don't expect this mod to come out this side of christmas ;)

Title: Re: Crusie Control
Post by: Kurt on 07, April, 2012 - 17:44:25
My C5 has the standard button and what would be the horn button on the right handle bar wired, so you can engage the motor left or right handed. This also allows you to switch hands if your left thumb is becoming a bit numb.

The original owner also wired a cruise control to a rocker switch where the indicator switch would be that just locked the motor in drive. I personally found this over heated the motor and dangerous as i caught it by accident once at a T-Junction and had a heart stopping few moments !!! 

After that incident I cut the 'cruise control' out and managed to bodge together some indicators from a broken set of Original C5 back indicator shells, morris minor side indicators, motorbike flasher relay and made my own bulb holders.

Bit of a Blue Peter special but they work really well and look ok.
Title: Re: Crusie Control
Post by: steve_1360 on 07, April, 2012 - 17:55:55
Thanks for the idea's, i like the double switch idea, simple but effective and unlikely for me to go screaming up to a junction wondering why i'm not stopping  :-\ . I might try a couple of of these as well, might be easier to hold due to the lever. http://www.maplin.co.uk/sub-miniature-levermicroswitch-6451
Title: Re: Crusie Control
Post by: jockywilson11 on 07, April, 2012 - 19:51:13
The switch is actually a safety feature too, as it's meant as a dead man's handle type of affair.

To be really safe it needs to be easy to stop too. So maybe some cleverness with some relays and switches is needed here. Any ideas on how it's done folks?
 
On a car if you break then cruise control cuts out, must be possible with the current switch and a motorcycle type break switch somehow????

Cheers. John
Title: Re: Crusie Control
Post by: Karl on 08, April, 2012 - 11:13:22
Bit like the Snickers advert...it's time to Man Up ! Take up thumb wrestling or something and develop those muscles ;) ;D

None of us suffered from sore thumbs on the London-Brigton run (everything else suffered though) so perhaps your thumbs just get use to the c5 after a while ? 
Title: Re: Crusie Control
Post by: kamilb1998 on 08, April, 2012 - 11:36:49
Your thumbs will get used to pressing the switch. I do around 200-300 miles/month on my C5 and my thumb never aches.
Title: Re: Crusie Control
Post by: Lancealot on 08, April, 2012 - 14:44:48
I like the idea of a switch as my thumbs get very achy as I have arthritis in them. Broke my thumb when I used to do Muay Tia boxing when I was alot younger...................

 :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

Lance
Title: Re: Crusie Control
Post by: frankev on 08, April, 2012 - 15:16:44
As an addition,

My suggestion to put in a foot pedal really works. You use the thumb button to drive away ???. As soon as you are driving, take your foot of the pedals and press the throttle pedal on the floor :o. To make it work, make the connection with the foot pedal parallel with the pushbutton on the steer ???.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3M-6YFk3qr0/T4Gaj7tyTUI/AAAAAAAABs0/XoTP3Ozuc-g/s800/Foto0249.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cLG3WqHh33k/T4Gaj4E134I/AAAAAAAABs4/PCybYhRwmF0/s576/Foto0250.jpg)

Now about this cruise control. Press button 1 and you drive 6 km/h, button 2 makes it go 12 km/h, button 3 makes it go maximal speed.(adjustable)(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mOsIjcxeWeA/T4GakcvS1fI/AAAAAAAABtA/TSglJk_3lrU/s800/Foto0248.jpg)
The arrow pointing downwards, press this one and the Sinclair drives backwards. (option 1,2 or 3) (going beep, beep, beep. like a truck. ;D)
By keeping the button pushed down for a few seconds it lockes and maintains this speed until you use the brake or push the throttle down. Then it automatically turns off the cruise control. 8) 8) 8) 8)


greetz

Frank
Title: Re: Crusie Control
Post by: steve_1360 on 08, April, 2012 - 20:01:47
I guess i better man up then  ;)
I think i'll change the switch to a lever type and see how i get on with that first as its easy to do. I wonder if i was pressing it to hard?

Foot switch is an idea but i like to peddle with the power assistance so i can get some speed up  8)
Title: Re: Crusie Control
Post by: Jonny on 09, April, 2012 - 23:04:51
you all have weak thumbs!  :P
Title: Re: Crusie Control
Post by: frankev on 10, April, 2012 - 00:08:28
you all have weak thumbs!  :P
Yep

Frank
Title: Re: Crusie Control
Post by: Umpa on 11, April, 2012 - 11:04:03
Just went for my first long run (6 miles)   :) and my wrist/thumb is hurting  :-\ after holding the power button on for such a long time. Has anyone fitted a locking power button or something to keep the power on? Just looking for ideas!

I had the same issue. Turns out you have to changer the position of the switch so it's in the optimum place under the plastic sheath. Then you don't have to place so much pressure on the switch. Safety and originality was my reason not fitting another switch.
Title: Re: Crusie Control
Post by: steve_1360 on 11, April, 2012 - 12:03:19
Thanks for the info Umpa

I have changed the switch to a limit switch version, and to get that to work i had to reposition the switch a little bit. Which could have been the problem all the time  ::)

Cheers Steve