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MGF electric boot release ... different approach

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 9:27 am
by Mykel
Oh, please not another instruction, you might think, but with the versions I had seen so far it seemed very inconvenient that the solenoid was always mounted visibly somewhere under the boot lid. So I went for something completely different ...

Re: MGF electric boot release ... different approach

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 10:40 am
by Rob Bell
That's brilliant! A really neat installation. The only thing missing is what everything looks like once assembled?

I am now very tempted to get one of these kits; previously not bothered because they always look so heath robinson! I had planned to mount the motor in the engine comparment, and run a longer coaxial cable - but this looks just the ticket :thumbsu:

Can I host this on my website? :D

Re: MGF electric boot release ... different approach

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 11:40 am
by Mykel
Thanks Rob,

William is figuring out an updated version of his kit for this at the moment.

and this is how it looks like completely finished:
mounted solenoid
mounted solenoid
solenoid.jpg (50.91 KiB) Viewed 3353 times
The cabling could be a bit nicer, I suppose, but I just found this silver insulation tube in the basement:
boot lid cabling
boot lid cabling
cable.jpg (62.27 KiB) Viewed 3353 times
The switch’s face is actually left in its original shape, not everybody needs to know its purpose :lol:
push button
push button
button.jpg (50.74 KiB) Viewed 3353 times
And yes, of course you can put it on your web site. If you need text or photos plain, please PM me.

BTW: Today the Dremel kit arrived :thumbsu: , so I can launch the next project: cut open the front indicators to fit DTRLs ... so stay put!


Cheers
Mykel

Re: MGF electric boot release ... different approach

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 11:52 am
by Rob Bell
I think that this is the neatest boot opener solution I've yet seen - really really nice :thumbsu:

Yes, if I could have the original text and photos, that'll be great, then there will be an html as well as down-loadable pdf version (as I did with Steve's windstop repair page - http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/DI ... /index.htm) :)

Re: MGF electric boot release ... different approach

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:17 pm
by Mykel
Im out now, but will put it on my iDisk this evening.

Re: MGF electric boot release ... different approach

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:47 pm
by Rob Bell
No worries, thanks for posting this Mykel! :thumbsu:

Hmm, I think that this may cost me and my paypal account! :lol:

Re: MGF electric boot release ... different approach

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:55 pm
by Rob Bell
Done - 14 quid and purchased.

Anyone spot Martin Wood's old MGF used on the Advert? Made me smile :)

(http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Electric-Boot-Rel ... 3361ded024 - Martin's MGF is the red one, with his personal plate "4 MGF" that he was trying to sell for ages. Car is parked outside his house - recognised that too :lol:)

Re: MGF electric boot release ... different approach

Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 12:00 am
by Dieter K
Rob,
the site is still online. 4 MGF sign *sold*
http://freespace.virgin.net/martin.wood ... _index.htm
One of the oldest MGF websites. :thumbsu:

Boot lid release solution looks indeed most reliable cause you need not touch anything from the lock lever.
Mind you, the MK1 switch is different from the MK2 fog light switch. So check out the electrics at first :)

Re: MGF electric boot release ... different approach

Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 9:29 am
by Rob Bell
I've got a boot release switch from a Saab and a fuel release button from a Range Rover to play with Dieter ;)

Re: MGF electric boot release ... different approach

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 8:38 am
by redarrow
mykel

That boot switch so nice, tax your idea,well the way you added it to the lock part.

tell me, you no the switch, i need the little crimps for the pins ,
what size are the crimps , please point out with a ebay link m8.

also i tried hard soldering them lights, on the switch, what solder iron heat you got?, and what solider you use?.

last thing lol, what size are the led used on a switch.

mods are coming lol.....

post more mods please.....

ps. mykel, i was thinking, maybe it best, you got to have foot on the brake pedal, with the pressing of the switch, to open the back boot.((what you think))security reasons and playful idiots.((So ignition in position 1 or engine on,foot on brake pedal then press switch to release boot.))((there be no power until the brake is pressed and key in pos 1 or engine on.))the switch will only light up when the brake pedal is on,then press button switch led change color when boot open....
The green light on the switch would be a sensor on the boot telling you the boot open,
i finally got brains lol

got it, you can use the boot light switch, to make the led go green, to show boot open.

pps. Has this mod, been created to buy, with all the correct goods yet?

Re: MGF electric boot release ... different approach

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 9:23 am
by Mykel
Hi Redarrow,

here's one offer, the seller also has fully insulated connectors for sale, yet four of them won't fit, so I found it easier to put shrink hose over every other one.

I have a quite standard electronics soldering iron with a 3 mm tip and used Sn60Pb38Cu2 wire, the electronics one with flow agent inside.

The LEDs are small, 3 mm I suppose. One is used for the backlight, the other for the switch. Later cars have a "boot open" light in the instrument panel, so there's no need to fit this into the switch housing.

As the switch actually draws power from the brake light connection, it already works in the way you proposed. This prevents opening the boot accidentally while doing 100 mph on the Autobahn, simply because some nutty passenger can't keep his fingers to himself. :o

I got a kit from eBay as well, yet this incorporates a lot more than you will actually need, for example a relay, which won't be needed if you utilise the one for the cigarette lighter like I (non-smoker) did. This makes cabling a lot easier. I used the spare relay for the DTRL mod later, so not a waste :D

Cheers
Mykel

PS: More mods to come, no question :lol:

Re: MGF electric boot release ... different approach

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 1:05 pm
by redarrow
thanks mate so helpful cheers.