Replacement Auxiliary Panel With Momentary Switches

[Stang70Fastback]

This is a project I've been mulling over for a while. I built a bank of switches into my previous car (where the useless cup-holder was), and while it turned out much better than I had expected, it was still an old car, and none of the switches operated functions that already existed in the vehicle:



I'm looking to do something again in this car, to accommodate the eventual addition of several extra features. However, I'm wondering how easy it would be to incorporate the existing "toggle" button switch functions, and simply replace that bank entirely. Does anyone know what is behind those buttons? I imagine there is a PCB with very basic circuitry to accommodate what are essentially momentary buttons. What I had brainstormed was to replace the existing switchgear with DUAL function momentary toggle switches, where each toggle can be pressed up OR down. This would allow for twice as many functions if I kept the same number of switches. The resulting switchbank would look something like this:

____OFF_____DEFROST____DUAL_____BLAST_____FLOOD
_____O_________O_________O_________O_________O
____A/C______RECIRC_____AUX______BEEP_____STROBE

The panel itself would be relatively straightforward to make, and it would obviously be relatively straightforward to install 5 toggle switches. The functions I am ADDING would all be run via relays, and my own wiring, so that wouldn't be an issue. The only challenge would be integrating the existing functions for the HVAC controls. I'd also ideally have an indicator light next to all except the "OFF" label, in various colors, to indicate the status of each item (the vehicle already has these), and the titles themselves would illuminate red as with everything else in the vehicle. You end up with a lot of things to wire in a small space (9 indicator LEDs, 10 illuminated labels, and all the switch functions themselves.)

I know for a fact, after reading things like this post, that there are people who can relatively easily do these kinds of projects. My electrical experience is (very) limited, and I lack the tools and space to generally work on these kinds of projects. This would be something I would be willing to outsource to someone, or, even better, find someone locally who could assist me (or that I could assist) in completing it so that I could learn how to do it.

What are everyone's thoughts? Just looking for some general feedback, ideals, thoughts about whether its worth it. Is anyone familiar with how, exactly, the existing switchgear operates? I know it isn't mechanical - it's all electronic and controlled by the computer. How simple would it be to tap into those buttons to do what I need?

EDIT: This might be better suited for the Electronics subforum. IDK... Mods feel free to move it if necessary.

[Hamegreg]

I am not quite familiar with the back-end of the HVAC system, but the idea is very interesting. IMO, getting the electrical diagram from the BRZ/FR-S service manual would be a start.
I would also either search the forum for someone who has a picture of the back-end side of the HVAC panel or dismantle it myself (there is probably a tut somewhere on how to get rid of the HVAC panel)

I like the idea, there sure is a lot of possibilities when it comes down to modding the HVAC panel, but it will be a good amount of work and time. Keep us posted.

Was the picture above for you old car or something you made for the twins ?


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[Stang70Fastback]

That was for my old Outback. In order left-to-right was Aux Input, Train Horn, Stock Horn, Sport Mode (was in the ECU logic but wasn't an "option" included from the factory), FWD mode, and USB input.

I'll look into it. Maybe I'll grab that toggle bank from a junked one somewhere so I can disassemble it and see what I would be dealing with.

[mid_life_crisis]

Make sure you post plenty of pictures, before and after disassembly.