Lotus Elan Central

In this thread we've been discussing the possibility of "modernizing" the window switch operation of the Elan. Its worth having a read (only 2 pages of posts) to get up to speed. As it stands now, I think there's enough casual interest to start a group buy thread and see who's serious or just kicking the tire (or rolling up the windows). The goal is to use the stock switches and have limited wiring/splicing to install the upgrade which will likely consist of a control module mounted somewhere in the car and some specialized relays to replace the stock ones to which the module is connected. So, what those who have been commenting have "decided" this upgrade should do is listed below. The "reseal" function indicated below will drop the window an inch or so when the door is unlocked OR when it is opened then completely close it when the door is locked OR closed.

CONFIRMED FEATURES (Update #3):

1) window controls will work for 120 seconds after the ignition is turned off (gives time to put roof up, remove packages from car, etc.)
2) tapping for 1/4 second or less provides automatic full up/down operation depending on which direction you've indicated
3) holding for more than 1/4 second gives you the manual control that we all have now
4) a double tap on the down direction driver's side switch (within half a second or so) gives you the "re-seal" function - see below for reseal function details
5) the reseal function will also operate automatically - see below for reseal function details
6) windows wind all the way up when doors are locked (a micro switch on module will disable this)
7) windows drop an inch or so when unlocked for easier door opening over the seals (and possibly new seals with a different profile).
8 ) the module will contain a programming port so that additional features can be added in the future (likely by the designer and not you or me).
9) the module will have a master switch to disable it and return window operation to normal for servicing the windows if desired


FEATURES UNDER CONSIDERATION (Update #1):

1) None at the moment



WINDOW RESEAL LOGIC

1) The manual reseal is triggered through a double tap (within half a second) of the driver’s side switch (right or left depending if its RHD or LHD) in the down direction. The manual trigger is one step in that it drops for half a second then immediately winds all the way up. It doesn’t affect the automatic reseal function. This action will only occur when the door is closed.
2) The automatic reseal action is essentially two distinct steps triggered by door open/door unlock and door close/door lock.
3) The first step is triggered by either a door open or door unlock action and immediately drops the window for half a second and leaves it in that position.
4) The module will sense the current state of the window action and “know” that if the door is unlocked then opened it doesn’t need to drop it again.
5) If the window has been dropped due to the first step of the reseal action then, and only then will it be ready to activate the second step. In other words, if you drop the window manually (some car alarms have this feature on a button on the fob) or had left the window down when you exited the car there is no need to either drop the window when we unlock or open the door or run the second step (roll up).
6) If the module is in a “ready state” for the second step of the automatic reseal function then when the door is closed or locked the windows roll all the way up AFTER a 2.5 second delay. This will be important because the locking system has a failsafe that needs to be factored in. If you try to lock the door while its open it will automatically unlock itself after 2 seconds. So, its possible to “lock” the door while its open then have the system unlock itself. We need to wait until this cycle completes before winding up the windows or the windows will wind up (because the door locked) then drop again (because the system unlocked the doors).
7) Hitting the window switch at any time while the module is activating the automatic reseal function cancels the cycle and provides manual window control.
8 ) There is another “function” that is different but related to the automatic reseal function. This function winds the windows all the way up when the door is locked. This is important to consider because someone may cancel the automatic reseal (through a fob button let’s say) or the windows may be part way down to begin with but we still need to run windows all the way up function when its locked. This will be an "optional" feature enable through a switch on the module.


In terms of the cost involved that's still to be determined based on what the actual final design and features will include. However, I expect it to be in the area of 85gbp or around $130USD. Obviously, with more people comes a lower price but I wouldn't expect it to drop to anything lower than 75gbp. If you have an interest at this price please indicate so by adding your name to the list. if you have comments (whether you are interested in buying or not) please post them.

One Touch Window Control Group Buy List (approx. 85GBP)

1) Elanlover
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8 )
9)
10)

1) Elanlover
2) DaveB - love it... Would consider item 2 in your 'considerations' a bonus too!
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8 )
9)
10)

1) Elanlover
2) DaveB - love it... Would consider item 2 in your 'considerations' a bonus too!
3) Pinky (can't see the problem with item 1 - just wire it up for us English owners!!!!) - in all reality, the 'extras' matter not to me either way.
4)
5)
6)
7)
8 )
9)
10)

dapinky wrote: (can't see the problem with item 1 - just wire it up for us English owners!!!!).....

I agree Dave and will take this off the list of items under consideration. I'm getting it confirmed now but it should be simple to have one switch or the other do this. I can't see why anyone would want both sides to do it leaving it up to an uneducated passenger to accidentally trigger it.

1) Elanlover
2) DaveB - love it... Would consider item 2 in your 'considerations' a bonus too!
3) Pinky (can't see the problem with item 1 - just wire it up for us English owners!!!!) - in all reality, the 'extras' matter not to me either way.
4) Epipete
5)
6)
7)
8 )
9)
10)

1) Elanlover
2) DaveB - love it... Would consider item 2 in your 'considerations' a bonus too!
3) Pinky (can't see the problem with item 1 - just wire it up for us English owners!!!!) - in all reality, the 'extras' matter not to me either way.
4)PDH - Item 6 would be the most useful for me as it may then lead as said to some different profile of seal being used, with better sealing qualities and maybe lasting longer.
5)
6)
7)
8 )
9)
10)

Oi! Get in line.

1) Elanlover
2) DaveB - love it... Would consider item 2 in your 'considerations' a bonus too!
3) Pinky (can't see the problem with item 1 - just wire it up for us English owners!!!!) - in all reality, the 'extras' matter not to me either way.
4) Epipete
5) PDH - Item 6 would be the most useful for me as it may then lead as said to some different profile of seal being used, with better sealing qualities and maybe lasting longer.
6)
7)
8 )
9)
10)

Many apologogies..............

I took the copy from further up the post (stupid I know)..............didnt mean to push in.

Kindest regards
Paul

Lol, I took no umbridge

1) Elanlover
2) DaveB - love it... Would consider item 2 in your 'considerations' a bonus too!
3) Pinky (can't see the problem with item 1 - just wire it up for us English owners!!!!) - in all reality, the 'extras' matter not to me either way.
4) Epipete
5) PDH - Item 6 would be the most useful for me as it may then lead as said to some different profile of seal being used, with better sealing qualities and maybe lasting longer.
6)Avonvilla
7)
8 )
9)
10)

1) Elanlover
2) DaveB - love it... Would consider item 2 in your 'considerations' a bonus too!
3) Pinky (can't see the problem with item 1 - just wire it up for us English owners!!!!) - in all reality, the 'extras' matter not to me either way.
4) Epipete
5) PDH - Item 6 would be the most useful for me as it may then lead as said to some different profile of seal being used, with better sealing qualities and maybe lasting longer.
6)Avonvilla
7)Novacaine
8 )
9)
10)

Confirmed features and features under consideration updated with changes highlighted.

1) Elanlover
2) DaveB - love it... Would consider item 2 in your 'considerations' a bonus too!
3) Pinky (can't see the problem with item 1 - just wire it up for us English owners!!!!) - in all reality, the 'extras' matter not to me either way.
4) Epipete
5) PDH - Item 6 would be the most useful for me as it may then lead as said to some different profile of seal being used, with better sealing qualities and maybe lasting longer.
6)Avonvilla
7)Novacaine
8 )Fetnas
9)
10)

Just to give everyone a sense of how complicated the logic will need to be for the autoreseal function here's the steps we've worked out. If anyone has any comments or ideas please pass them along.

WINDOW RESEAL LOGIC

1) The manual reseal is triggered through a double tap of the driver’s side switch (right or left depending if its RHD or LHD). The manual trigger is one step in that it drops for half a second then immediately winds all the way up. It doesn’t affect the automatic reseal function. This action will only occur when the door is closed.
2) The automatic reseal action is essentially two distinct steps triggered by door open/door unlock and door close/door lock.
3) The first step is triggered by either a door open or door unlock action and immediately drops the window for half a second and leaves it in that position.
4) The module will sense the current state of the window action and “know” that if the door is unlocked THEN opened it doesn’t need to drop it twice.
5)If the window has been dropped due to the first step of the reseal action then, and only then will it be ready to activate the second step. In other words, if I drop the window manually (some car alarms have this feature on a button on the fob) or had left the window down when I exited the car we don’t need to drop the window when we unlock or open the door or run the second step.
6) If the module is in a “ready state” for the second step of the automatic reseal function then when the door is closed or locked the windows roll all the way up AFTER a 2 second delay. This will be important because the locking system has a failsafe that needs to be factored in. If you try to lock the door while its open it will automatically unlock itself after 1 second. So, its possible to “lock” the door while its open then have the system unlock itself. We need to wait until this cycle completes before winding up the windows or the windows will wind up (because the door locked) then drop again (because the system unlocked the doors).
7) Hitting the window switch at any time while the module is activating the automatic reseal function cancels the cycle and provides manual window control.
8 ) There is another “function” that is different but related to the automatic reseal function. This function winds the windows all the way up when the door is locked. This is important to consider because someone may cancel the automatic reseal (through a fob button let’s say) or the windows may be part way down to begin with but we still need to run windows all the way up function when its locked as. This may be an "optional" feature enable through a switch on the module unless everyone's happy with the windows going up upon door lock no matter what (I am).

Confirmed features and features under consideration updated again with changes highlighted below.

CONFIRMED FEATURES (Update #3):

1) window controls will work for 120 seconds after the ignition is turned off (gives time to put roof up, remove packages from car, etc.)
2) tapping for 1/4 second or less provides automatic full up/down operation depending on which direction you've indicated
3) holding for more than 1/4 second gives you the manual control that we all have now
4) a double tap on the down direction driver's side switch (within half a second or so) gives you the "re-seal" function - see below for reseal function details
5) the reseal function will also operate automatically - see below for reseal function details
6) windows wind all the way up when doors are locked (a micro switch on module will disable this)
7) windows drop an inch or so when unlocked for easier door opening over the seals (and possibly new seals with a different profile).
8 ) the module will contain a programming port so that additional features can be added in the future (likely by the designer and not you or me).
9) the module will have a master switch to disable it and return window operation to normal for servicing the windows if desired


FEATURES UNDER CONSIDERATION (Update #1):

1) None at the moment



WINDOW RESEAL LOGIC

1) The manual reseal is triggered through a double tap (within half a second) of the driver’s side switch (right or left depending if its RHD or LHD) in the down direction. The manual trigger is one step in that it drops for half a second then immediately winds all the way up. It doesn’t affect the automatic reseal function. This action will only occur when the door is closed.
2) The automatic reseal action is essentially two distinct steps triggered by door open/door unlock and door close/door lock.
3) The first step is triggered by either a door open or door unlock action and immediately drops the window for half a second and leaves it in that position.
4) The module will sense the current state of the window action and “know” that if the door is unlocked then opened it doesn’t need to drop it again.
5) If the window has been dropped due to the first step of the reseal action then, and only then will it be ready to activate the second step. In other words, if you drop the window manually (some car alarms have this feature on a button on the fob) or had left the window down when you exited the car there is no need to either drop the window when we unlock or open the door or run the second step (roll up).
6) If the module is in a “ready state” for the second step of the automatic reseal function then when the door is closed or locked the windows roll all the way up AFTER a 2.5 second delay. This will be important because the locking system has a failsafe that needs to be factored in. If you try to lock the door while its open it will automatically unlock itself after 2 seconds. So, its possible to “lock” the door while its open then have the system unlock itself. We need to wait until this cycle completes before winding up the windows or the windows will wind up (because the door locked) then drop again (because the system unlocked the doors).
7) Hitting the window switch at any time while the module is activating the automatic reseal function cancels the cycle and provides manual window control.
8 ) There is another “function” that is different but related to the automatic reseal function. This function winds the windows all the way up when the door is locked. This is important to consider because someone may cancel the automatic reseal (through a fob button let’s say) or the windows may be part way down to begin with but we still need to run windows all the way up function when its locked. This will be an "optional" feature enable through a switch on the module.

Programming for the module should be completed before Christmas with prototype hardware shortly after. We'll need a couple of UK based volunteers to test it out and provide feedback before finalizing the design. One SE and one S2 owner. Any takers?

1) Elanlover
2) DaveB - love it... Would consider item 2 in your 'considerations' a bonus too!
3) Pinky (can't see the problem with item 1 - just wire it up for us English owners!!!!) - in all reality, the 'extras' matter not to me either way.
4) Epipete
5) PDH - Item 6 would be the most useful for me as it may then lead as said to some different profile of seal being used, with better sealing qualities and maybe lasting longer.
6)Avonvilla
7)Novacaine
8 )Fetnas
9) Jeemy
10)

Cannot volunteer for testing unfortunately I never know what I am doing from one day until the next. All the 'considerations' sound great, you know me, I like to do the most complex thing possible and feel if you're doing it, might as well do EVERYTHING!

1) Elanlover
2) DaveB - love it... Would consider item 2 in your 'considerations' a bonus too!
3) Pinky (can't see the problem with item 1 - just wire it up for us English owners!!!!) - in all reality, the 'extras' matter not to me either way.
4) Epipete
5) PDH - Item 6 would be the most useful for me as it may then lead as said to some different profile of seal being used, with better sealing qualities and maybe lasting longer.
6)Avonvilla
7)Novacaine
8 )Fetnas
9) Jeemy
10)KevB

1) Elanlover
2) DaveB - love it... Would consider item 2 in your 'considerations' a bonus too!
3) Pinky (can't see the problem with item 1 - just wire it up for us English owners!!!!) - in all reality, the 'extras' matter not to me either way.
4) Epipete
5) PDH - Item 6 would be the most useful for me as it may then lead as said to some different profile of seal being used, with better sealing qualities and maybe lasting longer.
6)Avonvilla
7)Novacaine
8 )Fetnas
9) Jeemy
10)KevB
11) Cliff - My Alfa GT has the auto drop, works really well. Happy to send diagrams if they are any help.