Champagne

Hello everyone,

this is a companion thread to our "carputer and console upgrade" thread:
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...h-windows.html

This one is about our new upgrade for the window switches. It is a natural complement to both our HVAC head upgrade and also to our center console upgrade, including the carputer.

Hans and I have created a modern, lighted panel to replace the factory manual switches.
Our new switch panel uses state of the art, lifetime, magnetic contact switches and state of the art illumination.
I will let Hans chime in for the technical side of things, but for now, let's just say that this new panel can drive a module that will add such functions as "express down", "express up", remote access etc.

The color of the illumination can be changed by simply replacing the LED. The light source for the whole panel is a single LED and the light distribution is a layer of laminated fiber optic.

Panels will come standard with factory configuration that mimics the factory layout. But you will have the choice to replace some of the functions with others, depending on your particular situation. For instance, those of you who have deleted the rear wiper and would instead prefer a button to open the hatch, can easily do so.

The finishes offered will match those that we offer for the center console upgrade and for those with a stock setup, we have a black textured face that matches the Porsche black parts perfectly.
The panels themselves are designed to fit in the stock location.

The following pictures are of a rough setup I made to show a few of the face textures that will be offered and 2 colors: white and blue.
Please note that the light leaking around the panel is due to the setup. The switch panels themselves will be a laminate of different layers, with the fiber optic layer, encased in the middle. So there will be no light bleed through in the finished product.

Here you have 3 separate finishes, with 2 different color lights, in both daylight setting and evening:







I'm sure Hans will jump in later on with more on the technical side and we are both available if you guys have any questions.

We are only a few weeks away from production on this one.

Thanks

Paul

DonT

Absolutely beautiful ! ! !

Jim M.

Looks great and will eliminate the typical problems associated with the factory switches. One question; the rear wiper switch is a normally open/push to close (NOPC) type switch. Will others be available? I'm looking for a normally closed push to open switch for a future project, and of course a custome graphic?

hans14914

Paul covered most of the basics, so I will just post a couple comments, and then move on to answering any specific questions. First, I want to comment that these are truly state-of-the art guts. Neither Paul or I was willing to compromise any part of construction for these, and while they seem simple, it is the result of several months of work. The illumination system is passive, and very durable. It shouldn't break or fail under normal use (it is susceptible to a blow from a sharp object - like if you stabbed the panel with a screw driver). There are no transformers or EL membranes used, so no buzzing will be introduced into the cabin or into radio transmission. The switches used are not common, or even commonly available. We have had to go through extensive drawing revisions to earn the opportunity to use them. Again, these units are designed to not fail, and have been tested into the millions of operations without failure. In short, our panels are truly lifetime switches, and will not need to be replaced if cared for properly.

It is important to note that these switches DO NOT operate the windows directly. They are a very low-current signal type switch, which again improves the lifetime of the switch contacts. Our switch panels have been designed to interface with DEI products 530T and 529T. They could also be used in a "budget" configuration with several relays instead. I will be providing a plug-and-play harness for connection with the DEI modules, and also installation/circuit notes if you choose to use relays or a different method of controlling the windows. I think the advantages of using the DEI units are very apparent, and assume that most people will want to go in that direction.

Using the DEI units gives you 1-touch operation for any year 928. It also gives you the option to tie the windows in with an alarm system or key-less entry system. You can have the windows roll up when the alarm is armed or when it is set-off. You can also add a vent position, which will crack the windows to allow circulation. Another reason we chose to use DEI over making our own module is that they are cheap, readily available, and tested in tens of thousands of alarm installations across the world for almost the last decade. They are very reliable, and most electronics professionals and even mechanics are familiar with their operation and should be able to quickly diagnose any problems you may have with them. They are a stock item at most electronics shops, so if you are ever on a road trip, and for some reason a unit fails, you should have to drive very far to get an emergency replacement if necessary.

hans14914

Jim -

These switches are a normally-open non-latching switch. However, if you wanted to invert the logic, I would happy to post some simple designs to do so. Shoot me a PM with what you have in mind.

Thanks,
Hans

Nicole

My personal humble little opinion is that it's not such a great idea to keep rear wiper and hatch switches together with the window and sunroof switches.

A. They have functions unrelated to sliding things open
B. The hatch is only needed when the car stands still, and doesn't need to be in the drivers reach while driving
C. It is too easy to hit the rear wiper switch when trying to open the right window or close the sunroof.

And yes, Porsche made that very mistake when they laid out the switches initially. Don't repeat it just because they started it!

jeff spahn

Will these be available around the same time as the center console?

hans14914

Nicole,

One of the beautiful things about doing the panel like this, is that they are just switches. We have the ability to make the panels custom to the user (within reason), so the rear wiper position can easily become the unlock button, or anything else. I personally dont even have a rear wiper anymore, so my personal panel is going to have the unlock button and the odometer reset button.

I agree that it was an odd design cue from Porsche to stick the wiper button in the console, but many people may wish to retain it there to eliminate any extra wiring for extending it to the pod.

We aim to please though, so if you have a custom layout in mind, send Paul and me a PM or email, and we can gladly setup the panel for you personally.

Thanks,
Hans

SeanR

Just installed my new console and wish I'd had this today. Might have to hold completion until these come out.

Champagne

You know that I'm all about fixing some of the factory mistakes

That is one of the main reason why we decided to do this. You basically can get exactly what you want, with the finish you want and look that fits your particular situation. I used this layout for the examples because it's something close to factory that everybody here can relate to.

And as for the hatch, if it's wired properly, it would not be possible to activate it, unless one of the doors is open. That is a safety feature that is already in place.

Paul

Champagne

The switch panel should be available first.

Paul

hans14914

If you have a 90+ car with the stock controller, we can use it, but bypassing it with the DEI really is a better option in my opinion. You get one-touch sunroof that way too

Champagne

I can make the panel anyway you want, with as many, or as few buttons as you want.

And in response to Jim's question, if you need special artwork for a particular button because of a custom application, that is 100% in the realm of this project.

We are in fact thinking of adding a 10 button panel to the line, for those who want to use this space for additional controls.

Paul

M. Requin

Really outstanding work, and your approach to illumination is illuminating. It's been a very frustrating part of my little project, so I really appreciate what you are doing. You appear to be taking full advantage of state-of-market control technology, and incorporating the flexibility it provides into your design language. And of course this makes solving problems like the one Nicole has brought up duck soup. Way to go!

Bill Ball

Very nice job. Is the surface is completely level or is there any tactile clue when you are on a button? With the stock rockers you can get some idea without looking.