9 replies to this topic

[mullet]

Hi all,

 

I know it's sad that my mini doesn't have a garage or driveway, but as it is a frequently used car it has to be parked outside.  As cars get bigger, the visibility of the mini reduces and people reverse into it.  I have pushbars for protection, but I suspect some drivers actually push the mini to fit into spaces, almost like they think this is the point of the pushbar.

 

I was thinking of creating a battery powered (eg, couple of AAA batteries) LED set up so if pushbar is touched, LEDs will flash (attached inside to the top of the windscreen), thus the reversing driver is warned/discouraged from going further.  I may even have an alternative horn on the same little circuit once I am sure it works well and doesn't leave a horn accidentally on all the time.  At the moment my thinking is this:  I could add a tube over the pushbar that is on the positive circuit (strip of copper inside), and the negative circuit is on the original pushbar at an angle such that if the outer tube is pressed backwards, the circuit is completed and LEDs flash until driver moves forwards  Obviously have an internal off switch for when the car is in use.  If it I make it look like a genuine part of the pushbar even better.

 

Very obscure question, but has anyone tried some kind of detection system like this before?  Or have other ideas around this?  I expect this is becoming a common issue.

 

Curious to hear others' thoughts on this!

[DeadSquare]

How about a board, to extend the observable height, fixed like a roof-rack so easily removable.

 

To make it more noticeable, may a suggest a picture on it, such as a fur rug on which is stretched out, Bridget Bardot.

[mab01uk]

Could you perhaps adapt one of the many different 'Parking Sensor Kits' available online from various suppliers, which would activate an alarm before actual contact is made with your Mini?

https://www.eurocarp...AyABEgKoCvD_BwE

 

[stuart bowes]

^ that was what sprang to mind for me as well, in theory you could use one of those front and rear to trigger the horn.  and use a little timer circuit to make sure it only beeps for like 5 seconds or so, you don't want some genuis thinking it's funny to park up close and walk away leaving your horn going

[mullet]

Thanks for the ideas already!  I can't really have anything that doesn't look like part of the car (like a warning board) as anything like that would get nicked or damaged around these parts, unfortunately.  So I also then wondered about a sensor, but only want it to go on when genuine contact has been made (as opposed cars just getting close; they already have those sensors but still blooming knock into it anyway).

 

I had an idea of using PVC with copper strips (strips used to make stained glass) and this would be a "bar" that sticks out an inch or so further than the normal pushbar.  Spray painted black to look more like it is supposed to be there. 

 

I just rigged up an idea using a bicycle light.  Seems feasible (see video): https://1drv.ms/v/s!...umShbe?e=OHhUem

 

 

[mullet]

^ that was what sprang to mind for me as well, in theory you could use one of those front and rear to trigger the horn.  and use a little timer circuit to make sure it only beeps for like 5 seconds or so, you don't want some genuis thinking it's funny to park up close and walk away leaving your horn going

That's a very good idea.  In fact this has been a problem for years now and I did already buy a circuit board that has a timer on it once activated.  My plan was to rig it up to the horn to beep for 0.5 seconds, but the "switch/pressure detection" had always stumped me.  Now you reminded me I already have the gear, that this pressure-detection system could initiate a time-limited response so the horn is not going to be permanently on should the pressure detection system get stuck on.  Great idea, thank you! 

 

EDIT: the 555 monostable timer switch operates at 12volts.  I'd rather this is aaa/aa battery powered and no part of the car's circuit.  I'll see how I get on with a circuit only being on when someone is in contact with the car.  There are also bicycle horns I could integrate https://www.amazon.c...13794526&sr=8-5

 

Edited by mullet, 22 April 2024 - 02:04 PM.

[stuart bowes]

12v/24v timer circuits are reasonably common, we use stuff like that at work all the time for door entry systems, it's all nice safe low voltage stuff

 

good idea using something on a separate circuit though, makes sense

Edited by stuart bowes, 22 April 2024 - 02:33 PM.

[mab01uk]

Your location shows as France....so is parking by making 'bumper contact' still the norm even outside Paris?

 

"No description needed.... this is pretty typical parking in France."

Edited by mab01uk, 22 April 2024 - 03:20 PM.

[mullet]

Your location shows as France....so is parking by making 'bumper contact' still the norm even outside Paris?

 

"No description needed.... this is pretty typical parking in France."

Haha!  You are correct.  I have heard it called the "Lyon Kiss".

[Quinlan minor]

 

Your location shows as France....so is parking by making 'bumper contact' still the norm even outside Paris?

 

"No description needed.... this is pretty typical parking in France."

Haha!  You are correct.  I have heard it called the "Lyon Kiss".

 

That was the normal way to park in NYC, at any rate. I figured that's why they insisted on those god awful bumpers, that had to be capable of absorbing a 5mph impact without damaging the car.