Paging JimmyL .....
 

Hey Jimmy - got any idea what I have here?

ooooh oooh, can I guess?

:dancefool

That would be the LONG AWAITED cruise amp, the possible greatest creation since your tach amp!!!!!!!
OK, now we need some 'splaining Lucy.........:):)

BTW, Bob's forum name could be the biggest understatement going!!!

If this is affordable I can't imagine the market you will have for this part. And the benefit to the great unwashed.....:D

Smart boy.....

when?

Great, is it protected from the actuator faults that are sometimes present ? A simple fuse in the outputs may be enough to avoid returns.

I assume you designed it to be compatable with what already exists in the mercedes judging by the plugs. Should sell reasonably well if the price is attractive. Can you give a ball park area? Or is it far too early.

Lucy 'splains....

It's pretty early yet, and I'm still working on the physical interface. So far, I have the micro talking to the steering column switch and the brake cutout. The LCD display is for debug and for calibration on initial install, prompting the user through a procedure where all switch inputs are verified and the actuator is checked for proper function. Plug and play, no wiring hacks.

I still need to implement the actuator motor drive and the solenoid control. The motor drive will be an H-bridge IC, with integral current limit (self protects against shorted motors, and much cheaper than discrete parts).

Once this is done, I can start writing the real code. I can't verify proper interface to the speedo until I start the code write, as it's all done by internal comparators. I'm thinking of buying a new actuator, since I have no idea what condition mine's in and I want to start from a known good position.

I'm going to try some surprises. I'm using the potentiometer in the actuator as a throttle position sensor, so I can do some tricks like cutting out the AC compressor when throttle input is high and speed is low, such as a takeoff from stop - no more reaching for the econ button when pulling away from the stoplight......

Same basic setup will be used for climate control (digital display of interior, exterior and set temperature, real manual mode with independent fan speed control, real recirc mode, and custom flap maps).

I want one as well!!!! Great job, Bob!

I'll be keeping tabs. I especially like the idea of an A/C cut off. Great job Bob!

Wow, when its ready I will be buying one!

If the tach amp is any indication, it'll be 50 bucks...I'll take two!

WAITING WITH BAITED BREATH...
 

And the missus ain't none too happy about the fishy smell so hurry up! :)

John in San Antonio
(who will be cruizin the coupe to Centerville with NO cruise control)

Large Quantity discount??
 

If I buy 4, can I get a discount?

Nice work. I wait with patience for the finished product. Please put me down on your customer list.

Thanks, for your hard work.

You mean that little CC stalk isn't just a decorative item?