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MG MGA - Turn signal controller - nice idea

Saw this on youtube and like the idea. It's a controller for the indicators that both allows a worn out switch to be used and gives the functionality of hazard lights. No prices yet and judging from the cost of their brake adaptor plates might be very costly!

http://mgabrakes.com/tss.aspx
Neil McGurk

I can weigh in a little here. The maker has been consulting with me about logical function and installation in the MGA. I am not the least bit excited about it, as I already have functional time delay (easy to fix) and a cheap 4-way flasher conversion. Some features are changing slightly as we chat, including an extra wire for a remote 4-way switch, a mounting bracket, and a little of the operational logic. It might even end up with push buttons for operation without the original MGA switch (for general applications), but anyone could use separate push buttons anyway.

Last word was the software is almost finished, implying that it has some sort of programmable controller. He may send me one for installation and field test in an MGA (someone else's car) in a couple of weeks. If so, I would eventually have pictures on my web site. I can hardly wait to see if it will work for 10 years without electronic failure (or a broken wire like my intermittent wiper control). Would you believe this one started out as an idea to put self-canceling turn signals on a toy truck for his kid?
Barney Gaylord

If the video is anything to go by I think they have missed an opportunity to include a variable cancel delay. A screwdriver adjustment is not much of an attraction. Perhaps Barney's mention of later software might address this.
Bruce Mayo

I've got rather used to holding the switch on at traffic lights etc. I would end up with 4-way flashers on all the time!

Steve
Steve Gyles

If they are going to do modern electronics why even do a delay, why not just a reed switch with a magnet on the steering column. Then they could cancel just like modern cars when the wheels are turned and then centered again.
Jeff Schultz

I had the same thought as Steve Gyles. I would think it would be easy to accidentally engage the 4-way flashers. And with only a single indicator light on the instrument panel, you wouldn't have any way to know.
Steve Trovato

I am with Jeff, that's a good idea Jeff and it will be my next modification, thanks or the inspiration.
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

I quite like mine the way it is, I think its quirkie, Vin.
V Rafter

I think after 20 years I've got the hang of mine.
dominic clancy

Ah, the arm twisting is paying off in better (more intuitive) operational logic, separate switch option to actuate 4-way flashers, programmable time delay on the fly, and no trimming pot to fool with. The new module will no longer work the way it was demo'd in the video, but will work more like the original MGA turn signal switch. It should make little difference if your original switch vacuum delay works or not, and you may even want to defeat the vacuum delay if it does work (loosen the bleed screw in back). The primary object is to keep the original switch and hide the new control module behind the dash for original appearance with added functions. Consider this:

Switch on either side (momentary contact is enough), and the turn signal starts with a basic 20 second delay before switching off. If you habitually hold the switch in the on condition, it works the same but only starts counting down the delay time when you let go of the switch. So if you hold it for 10 seconds then let go you get 30 seconds total. If you hit the switch again in the same direction while it is flashing it will reset the delay back up to 20 seconds. Click it in the opposite direction and it cancels the original function and starts the opposite turn signal with 20 second delay. This is all pretty much same as the original switch function, except it doesn't stop flashing when you let go or return the switch to center, but keeps flashing until the delay timer runs out. If you want to cancel it early you can double click the switch in either direction.

The delay time will also be programmable in just a few seconds on the fly. Holding the switch on for two seconds puts it in memory mode. Successive clicks in the same direction will then add delay time in 20 second increments, so one more click gives it 40 second delay, another click makes it 60 seconds and so on, probably allowing for up to 2 minutes maximum countdown delay. It has flash memory, so it would remember your programmed delay time indefinitely (even if you disconnect the vehicle battery). You can reset the delay to the basic 20 seconds by holding the switch on again for two seconds, which not coincidentally is the same move to begin programming the delay again. So if you hold it for 2 seconds then click once more you reprogram it to 40 seconds. If it's running too long, just click twice to stop it.

There will be provision for an (optional) external switch to actuate 4-way flashers. Likely a small single contact toggle switch will be included in the installation kit, intended to mount in an existing hole on one of the under dash braces in the MGA, like right behind and below the turn signal switch (or anywhere else you like to mount it). Alternately you can use any single contact switch (like the standard MGA "F" switch if it's not being used for anything else). Switch this on and the 4-way flashers run until it is switched off, suppressing any other function of the module. Switch off 4-ways and the turn signals can function again as noted.

For custom applications the original MGA turn signal switch can be displaced by a 3-position momentary toggle switch or by two momentary push buttons that would serve exactly the same function. The extra toggle switch or a latching on/off push button (third button) can operate the 4-ways. Or optionally you can click two buttons at once (L and R turn signals) to actuate the 4-way flashers and eliminate the third switch. Mount the push buttons anywhere you like, even on the steering wheel if you can handle the wire routing.

It is (or was) intended to change the original turn signal flasher unit to a heavy duty type so either turn signals or 4-ways would operate from the same flasher unit with original wiring. Or you can add the HD flasher along with the original flasher, and use a relay or a double throw toggle switch in place of the single contact switch. This would allow use of the original flasher for turn signals (with the safety stop-flash if a bulb burns out or is disconnected), and switch to the HD flasher for 4-way operation. There might be one additional wire on the controller to trigger a small relay if the remote switch is not used. There may be an additional method to actuate the 4-way function without the remote switch, like triple click one direction to start 4-ways, so you can do it all with the original turn signal switch or only two push buttons.

We didn't talk about a reed switch cancel (yet), as no one has come up with a cheap and easy way to make a standard type package to do that on the MGA, but it might ultimately turn into an extra cost option. The floor is open to discussion and suggestions, but don't go too Rube Goldberg as the intention is to keep the package simple for quick and easy installation by a novice, common sense logical operation, and not too many complex or expensive add-on gadgets.
Barney Gaylord

Sounds good, although 20 seconds is a long increment!
Neil McGurk

Well, I first suggested 10, but if you want 2 minutes it takes too many clicks to get there.
Barney Gaylord

That's true Barney! Mind you if I ever needed to wait with my indicator on for two minutes I'd probably get so bored that I'd be prepared to operate it more than once!

My vac unit is set at about nine seconds and I very rarely need to operate it twice. Not being near any large towns or cities I am never in heavy traffic. Maybe that's why I never cancel it either, which is the habit I miss!
Neil McGurk

Barney,
Is there a projected cost yet? Thanks and have a good day!

John
John Progess

They told me $89 plus actual shipping. That was before these latest changes, but I can't imagine they change the cost very much.

-Steve Trovato
strovato@optonline.net
Steve Trovato

I live on a side street. The first traffic light to get out of my neighborhood has a three minute cycle time. My switch is set to 20 seconds, but I often have my thumb on it when waiting for a left turn in traffic. When I'm familiar with the traffic conditions and traffic lights, longer delay would be nice especially if I can set the delay time for individual turns in a few seconds by habit. I don't think I'd buy it to avoid repairing a delay switch, and I did 4-way flashers for about $10 and an hour or two of fiddling (and was using the 4-way s a lot today while doing rally layout). But the more I thing about it, the more I like idea of programmable on the fly time delay (and reliable delay time).

This is rather like 4-way flashers, intermittent wipers, and maybe cruise control. You say you don't need it, but after you have it you don't want to give it up. Almost any useful gadget that comes complete in a box and can be installed in an hour by an novice may sell okay for under $100. These days that's in the impulse buying range, like threshold plates and wood steering wheel. How many people do you see buy chrome wire wheels for big money just because it strikes them as being "neat" with no functional benefit at all? That's what happens when you get your car restored and still have more money to spend.
Barney Gaylord

This thread was discussed between 28/06/2009 and 03/07/2009

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