|
|
|
Hi guys,
let me begin from the beginning. Sometimes it can be very cold in winter here in Northern Europe, sometimes it can be really cold, up to -25C / -13 F and it would be very nice to have a car warmed up a bit to the moment you get in. So I decided to make my next project a remote starter for my beloved '88 240 B230F, triggered by a cellular phone call.
It would take too long to explain how do I manage filtering incoming calls and making all the communicational stuff work, but the result is going to be a wire going from 0 to +12V after the call is made. It's great for powering ignition, but is veery problematic for starter.
In a normal world, my Volvo cranks from 0.25 to about 4 seconds until engine starts running by itself and I return the key from Start position back to On. My Great Problem is to teach stupid electronics to feel that engine is running on it's own already and starter can be disengaged.
So I ask you for help to find some changing condition (voltage, current, resistance) somewhere that would say that engine doesn't need starter anymore and can continue running. One possibility could be counting RPMs (tacho), but it's too expensive to use electronic components that open/close contacts upon tach pulse limit. I've seen in the internet some aftermarket no-tach remote starters, but have no idea, how they perform that task. Some cheap ones have fixed crank time (like 3sec), but I don't want my starter get burned because of being daily engaged for some time after engine is already running.
Thanks for reading such a long post.
IF
|
|
-
|
|
|
The other logical addition would be an imobilizer hooked up to the Cellphone. If you get up in the morning and your car isn't there, dial the number. Wherever it is, it just stopped.
Perhaps it could be wired to a vac guage, which would determine when the car had fired up. You'd need to have it in good enough tune that you could be sure it didn't need any throttle, and also have a timer cutout so it wouldn't flatten your battery if it didn't start. If the car is manual, it would need to be wired through the gearbox to ensure the car is in neutral.
Can you really start your car without throttle when it's that cold outside?
--
Drive it like you hate it
|
|
-
|
|
|
"The other logical addition would be an imobilizer hooked up to the Cellphone. If you get up in the morning and your car isn't there, dial the number. Wherever it is, it just stopped."
Yep, some mobile network operators can give phone's location too.
"Can you really start your car without throttle when it's that cold outside?"
Normally yes. My Volvo has it's own mood that is not temperature dependant, I must repair/replace some things before introducing the system like fuel pump relay, RPM sensor wire, starter solenoid.
|
|
-
|
|
|
It's nice to see new answers here.
Colin, measuring exhaust temperature would be a good idea, but..
1) that one or two seconds of delay will finally kill the starter in some weeks or months.
2) impossible to start a recently driven warmed-up car
I've come to a thought that after engine is started, there is a huge amperage drop on the battery-to-starter wire, because starter needs then no current while being pushed by the engine. What do you think about it?
BTW, I have AW70 automatic.
IF
|
|
-
|
|
|
Don`t worry too much about a second or two of starter operation after start up.
(1) All modern (Pre-engaged) starters have an over-run clutch built into the pinion to prevent damage.
(2) You would have to have an over ride to your auto system to allow starting with the key anyway unless you want to make a phone call every time you want to start!
You could also use the alternator warning light function to operate a relay to stop cranking when the light goes out.
Colin.
1990 740SE B200E/M47, remote C/Locking.
|
|
-
|
|
|
"You could also use the alternator warning light function to operate a relay to stop cranking when the light goes out."
My alternator warning light does not light during cranking. Does yours?
|
|
-
|
|
|
Do you have electronic fuel injection (LH2.2)? The AMM output zings up over 2.5V normally when it needs enough air to support idle.
Oil pressure switch open for >500 mS should do it too.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore
|
|
-
|
|
|
Thanks Art, I'll remember it! Great idea, but i feel it will be pretty complicated to build a controller for it, so may be I order an aftermarket system and adjust it that it works on both radio remote control and a cellular phone call. Yes, I have LH Jetronic, but not sure if 2.2 or 2.4. EZ115 ignition anyway.
|
|
-
|
|
|
"So I decided to make my next project a remote starter for my beloved '88 240 B230F, triggered by a cellular phone call."
It's my understanding that cell phones aren't used to start cars. Only to blow them up.
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb and M46 trans
|
|
-
|
|
|
To sense engine start a thermocouple attached to (or inserted in) the exhaust down pipe would see a very rapid temp rise within a second or so of start up.
You would need a timer over-ride to stop cranking if it didn`t start.
Colin.
1990 740SE B200E/M47, remote C/Locking.
|
|
-
|
|
|
If this car is a stick shift, a remote starter is probably not a good idea. You would have to park the car in neutral at all times to keep it from leaping when the starter is engaged, and that is never a very safe idea.
Disregard this post if your car is an automatic.
Good luck!
--
If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as "Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!"
|
|
-
|
|
|
Thanks guys,
I think you're right and I should just buy a complete remote starter kit like CommandoAlarms one, because it isn't easy to build a spark pulse counter myself. Hopefully I'll find a place there to plug my cellular in.
BTW, misdialed calls can be easily avoided if a Filter / Call Screening function is used. Phone accepts calls coming from specified number only and ignores all other. European Siemens mobiles have that function.
IF
|
|
-
|
|
|
Yes here in the states you can get remote starters that are used as far away as 1000 feet or more.. The way they work is that they have a sensing unit that measures signal voltage coming from the coil. When the signal makes a certain numbers of pulses when the engine starts the sensor disengages the starting motor..If you can not obtain a remote starter device where you live I am sure one of us would ship you one..They start at about $60.00 dollars American if you can convert that. They also are recomended for automatic transmissions only but i am sure you can adapt it to a maunal one if you keep it in neutral when you park the thing at night..And yes I understand how you are going to use a cell phone to remotely engage the your unit but just think if a stray signal comes in and activates the thing.. also most of the remote starters sold here have a temp sensor that will also start you car at different intervals during the night when it senses a low temperature that you have set it to.. it startes the car and runs from anywhere from 10 minutes to 20 minutes each hour depending on what you want it to do..Do a web search on any remote starters and get the facts.. ....:)Max
--
Max..1989 244 DL 5 Spd., Bilstein HD, Turbo Swaybars, Poly Bushings all round, Turbo Wheels, Black leather interior, Electric mirrors, LED dash and gauge lights.
|
|
-
|
|
|
In the States, you can buy remote starting kits that allow you to start the car from inside one's house.
Using a cell phone is a neat idea, but I can see it receiving the wrong calls (misdials, political pollsters, etc.) and your car would be turning on at strange times. You'll need a PIN code in addition.
|
|
|
|
|
