Momentary Switch -> Fixed Switch

[Speed_Chaser]

Hey guys! I hope you can help me.

I have a throttle controller which is connected to the throttle pedal. It has 3 wires running from it to the switch unit. The wires are negative, positive and the one for the indicator LED.

My switch unit has LED and momentary switch button. Every time after I start the car, I need to push the momentary switch in order to get the throttle controller ON.

So I decided that I'd change the momentary switch to a fixed one. I did it using a relay and then also tried without the relay. Same result: My throttle controller turns ON every time I start up the car no matter in which position my new switch is. Probably this is because the throttle controller is getting it's power from the pedal connector?

My question is, how does the momentary switch usually work? By understanding that, I could probably solve my problem. If anyone has any ideas, please do not hesitate to suggest :)

[Speed_Chaser]

Here are the pics:

Throttle Controller (unit which you connect between the throttle pedal connection slot and the connector + switch unit with button):

Inside of the switch unit:

[Mooly]

Bit hard to make out in the picture but it looks like you haven't linked the contacts of the switch on the PCB. The switch appears to short blue and black wires when pressed as originally designed. That kind of switch is called a "Tact" switch short for tactile.

Just short the blue and black wires out if that is what you are trying to achieve.

[Speed_Chaser]

Thanks for the reply... But what is PCB?

Just short the blue and black wires out if that is what you are trying to achieve.

If I'm trying to achieve what? Don't really understand, sorry :)

I am trying to install rocker switch instead of that button. So that if I leave it on and turn the car off, it will be on after I start the car again.

Did you mean I should connect blue and black wire to my new switch?

[Mooly]

Let's just rewind a bit... :)

The Tact switch in the photo shorts your "Blue" and "Black" wires out when pressed. So you are trying to get the unit to power up each time without you pressing the button ?

I'm still not quite sure what you mean... in post #1 you mention having to press the button in order to switch it on. So far so good. And then you mention that with a permanent switch ? ? (do you mean with a switch that now shorts those points?) that it turns on every time you start the car... but isn't that what you want ?? :)

So....

some thoughts... It's possible that a momentary action is all that the device will recognise. A permanent switch connection (switch closed) could "inhibit" any data line that the switch connects too.

It's also possible the unit needs power (12 volts) applied before it recognises the switch action. Do the two simultaneously and it may not work.

A "workaround" may be to replace the switch with a capacitor that will present itself as discharged when you start the car and thus appear to "hold" the switch connections closed. After a second or so the cap charges and is then "open circuit". That may or may not be a solution, you would have to try it. A suitable guess for a cap would be say 100uF 25V but measure on the PCB to get the polarity correct.

[Speed_Chaser]

I am willing to have a rocker switch instead of that button. I have that rocker installed now, but my Throttle Controller is working all the time. It doesn't depend of position of the rocker switch. So yes, it's kinda working and it's what I want, because my device is starting up automatically, but the problem is, I am unable to turn it off.

[Mooly]

Think I understand what you are saying. So with the device on it doesn't respond to you altering the switch position.

That again sounds to be down to the electronics expecting a "momentary" action from the switch raher than a permanent on or off.

The cap trick I mentioned might (and it's only might) work and for you to still keep and utilise the original switch to use at will.

To sumarise.... and there are a lot of ifs and buts.

If the main unit is supplied with 12 volts permanently then a cap won't work as it will always be charged. The unit would have to be fed from a switched 12 volt supply such that the cap switched the unit on when car started.

The above would only work if the two wires to the switch expect to see DC only. If the main unit strobes these wires (meaning there is an AC logic signal on them) then the cap will not work.

If the unit is permanently fed with 12 volts then I can't see an easy work around...

[Speed_Chaser]

I am not good when it comes to electrics, not at all. This seems way too tricky anyways, so maybe I should just leave my Throttle Controller connected to the pedal and let it stay permanently on. Then take it off for the winter if I'll experience too much wheel spinning :D

Thanks for the help anyways. I am trying to contact the company that's producing this device. Probably they will be able to clarify...

[Mooly]

You're welcome...

hope you find a solution.