Pressure/Mat switch for brake lights on kids car?

[brewdexta]

I want to turn on the Toylander's brake lights when foot brake is pressed. Currently they are operated by a tilt switch so the lights only come on when there is deceleration. So if the kid is stood on the brake and the accelerator burning the motor out there is no indication. Also with all the hills near me the brake lights will be on all the time

The foot brake mechanism on the Toylander is integral with the hand brake, so if you operate the hand brake the foot brake goes down. I don't want the brake lights to come on with the hand brake so a switch under the brake pedal is out unless I put another switch on the hand brake lever in series that opens the circuit.

One thought was putting a 20mm square pressure switch on top of the pedal, however searching for pressure switches obviously brings up compressed gas type switching and pressure mat is usually much bigger than 20mm sq and used under carpets for security etc.

Anybody know of a suitable switch or have an alternative idea?

Cheers
Andy

 

[monkeymark]

What about a small press to break micro switch?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/two-micro...al_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item259598cd96

 

[langy]

I want to turn on the Toylander's brake lights when foot brake is pressed. Currently they are operated by a tilt switch so the lights only come on when there is deceleration. So if the kid is stood on the brake and the accelerator burning the motor out there is no indication. Also with all the hills near me the brake lights will be on all the time

The foot brake mechanism on the Toylander is integral with the hand brake, so if you operate the hand brake the foot brake goes down. I don't want the brake lights to come on with the hand brake so a switch under the brake pedal is out unless I put another switch on the hand brake lever in series that opens the circuit.

One thought was putting a 20mm square pressure switch on top of the pedal, however searching for pressure switches obviously brings up compressed gas type switching and pressure mat is usually much bigger than 20mm sq and used under carpets for security etc.

Anybody know of a suitable switch or have an alternative idea?

Cheers
Andy

Why can't you just use a normal brake light switch ???

 

[brewdexta]

Why can't you just use a normal brake light switch ???

Hi Langy
Because I don't want it to come on when the handbrake is on and the foot pedal and hand brake mechanism is integral. When the hand brake is enabled the foot pedal also gets depressed.

 

[brewdexta]

What about a small press to break micro switch?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/two-micro...al_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item259598cd96

I could rig up a small hole in the pedal and mount a microswitch underneath, it would operate if the kids were resting their foot on the pedal lightly but that would do it.

 

[pedrobedro]

When the hand brake is enabled the foot pedal also gets depressed.

Well tell it to pull itself together and cheer up So anything that operates on the pedal press is going to operate with the handbrake as well ?

 

[brewdexta]

Well tell it to pull itself together and cheer up So anything that operates on the pedal press is going to operate with the handbrake as well ?

Not quite, the hand brake lever moves the the foot brake but the foot brake doesn't move the hand brake lever

I think I have the answer, I could use a standard brake switch if I put another switch on the hand brake lever, I put that in the first post. I thought there may be an easier way however its not much more hassle, just a bit more wiring.

The foot switch will be DPDT and if the pedal is activated by foot or by the hand brake then one pole of the switch will be used to operate the brake light, with a make before break switch on the hand brake so it doesn't come on if the hand brake is applying the brake. The other pole on the foot brake will turn off the accelerator so the kids can't burn the motors out against the brake - because they will and the motors are about 80 quid each.

Looks like I have it sorted so sorry to bother you all, sometimes thinking out loud is the best way. Still open to better idea.

Cheers
Andy

 

[AndyStobbs]

you want that quantum tunelling stuff. Maplin sell it

 

[brewdexta]

you want that quantum tunelling stuff. Maplin sell it

Found it, it was next to striped paint and fallopian tubing

 

[AndyStobbs]

No it does exist, though maplin have discontinued it, it would seem. The resistance changes from substantial to negligable with the application of pressure.

 

[brewdexta]

Sorry about that Andy, I thought you were pulling my leg

I shall take a closer look at Peratech etc.

Cheers
Andy

 

[brewdexta]

got some of quantum tunnelling material on fleabay, cost £4.50 inc. but you get a free cat in a box

 

[octo0072000]

got some of quantum tunnelling material on fleabay, cost £4.50 inc. but you get a free cat in a box

Cat gut comes to mind

 

[the snooper]

I would also fit a relay so when ever a brake is applied the power to the motor is cut, guaranteed not to burn out the motor then

 

[brewdexta]

I would also fit a relay so when ever a brake is applied the power to the motor is cut, guaranteed not to burn out the motor then

I was thinking of something similar, a microswitch around the back near the brakes connecting to the common on the forward/neutral/reverse switch. The landie comes with a controller so I don't have to switch large currents.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

got some of quantum tunnelling material on fleabay, cost £4.50 inc. but you get a free cat in a box

But is it dead or alive Mr Schroedinger?

 

[brewdexta]

But is it dead or alive Mr Schroedinger?

it will be once Pavlov's dog gets at it

 

[the snooper]

something like this one on the pedal other on handbrake
use the same power feed to the controller and brake lights, handbrake on all power cut, power on foot brake switch works lights and cuts motor at same time

 

[KemppiFrog]

In general, probs like this are usually sorted without much thought. My take would be a hinged flap on the pedal that activated a switch; Bit of sponge between the flap and the pedal. Rest is just prioritizing usage, with relays.

Last year a mate was trying an idea to use pressure pads on the brake pedal to activate clusters of lights to indicate how hard one was hitting the brakes. My advice was to not get involved with the big boys. Idea was good, progressive lines of LEDs each side of the boot, or in the rear window. But, invested interests and govourning bodies would be a nightmare, nless one had big backers.

 

[the snooper]

In general, probs like this are usually sorted without much thought. My take would be a hinged flap on the pedal that activated a switch; Bit of sponge between the flap and the pedal. Rest is just prioritizing usage, with relays.

the switches above are really easy to use and mount, the pedal can release the switch as opposed to pressing it so no problems with pedal travel