Bargain Basement Motoring

[CitroJim]

If it's British engineering you want, Neil, then I think you need to get creative.
How's about repurposing a bomb release button from a Lancaster.....

Or maybe a "WWII Air Ministry Starter Button Stores Ref: 5c/898 Spitfire,Hurricane,Lancaster"

Both absolutely perfect for the job

For all it seems like a Starter button should be the simplest of installations to do, the white signal wire disappears from the key switch immediately into a bundle of heavy harness trunking which disappears up towards the offside of the car. I thought it would work its way left towards the passenger side in a fairly obvious fashion and be nicely break into able centre stage.

I'd be inclined to completely rewire from the solenoid back to your new switch and then to a source of 12v via a 30A fuse and isolate the old wiring to the solenoid...

I used to do similar when installing 'helper' relays into XMs and Xanitas when their ignition switches became tired.

As for a running engine inhibit, you'd need to find a signal source that will operate a relay to isolate the supply to the button both when the ignition is off and when the engine is running. Maybe the easiest one is to pick up the earthy end of the oil pressure warning light sender for the first condition and an ignition switched supply for the second...

[mickthemaverick]

Alternatively Neil. why not just replace your dodgy switch with a direct replacement and save all the wiring alterations?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404015335430 ... %3A2047675

BFTW

[NewcastleFalcon]

As for a running engine inhibit, you'd need to find a signal source that will operate a relay to isolate the supply to the button both when the ignition is off and when the engine is running. Maybe the easiest one is to pick up the earthy end of the oil pressure warning light sender for the first condition and an ignition switched supply for the second...

When the time comes Jim, and I have the button in my mitt, I think I will rely on the good advice available on here to come up with as straightforward a design as possible which passes muster with folk on the FCF like yourself, who know a lot more about these things than I do.

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Alternatively Neil. why not just replace your dodgy switch with a direct replacement and save all the wiring alterations?
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Thanks Mick. I think the problem is with the ignition barrel and the key Mick. I did replace the switch like that one, with a main dealer part. The key at the "start" position is imprecise, and doesn't spring back to the "On" position, often produces a "false start" requiring a rewind and try again for a successful start.

I think the push button start will avoid this, without going down an expensive route of ignition barrel replacement with keys needing "coding" to the car.

Regards Neil

[Hell Razor5543]

Might this do?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284963876787 ... %7Ciid%3A1

[mickthemaverick]

Might this do?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284963876787 ... %7Ciid%3A1

Definitely not James!! That is a latching button!!

[Hell Razor5543]

If you check the options you will see that the Start Engine is a momentary button.

[CitroJim]

Might this do?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284963876787 ... %7Ciid%3A1

Definitely not James!! That is a latching button!!

And any starter button needs to be good for at least 20A for high reliability... Those don't quote how much current they can handle and looking at them, I'd say not much...

A switch with an inadequate current rating (or even a marginally adequate current rating) is risky as it's possible its contacts could weld together with disastrous results.. It would, in effect, turn it into a latching button!...

[CitroJim]

You could use a low current starter button via a relay and then all the heavy lifting will be done by the relay and not the switch itself - that would make yours good for the task James

I must say they look rather attractive...

[mickthemaverick]

If you check the options you will see that the Start Engine is a momentary button.

That would presuppose some intelligence on my part!!

[NewcastleFalcon]

Might this do?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284963876787 ... %7Ciid%3A1

Thanks James. It's the sort of thing James but I don't like the Skull and Crossbones! Ships from China, which as I discover is where they all come from. Probably better getting one from somewhere that at least has stock in the UK with a bit of shorter delivery.

I sort of think I will plump for the most popular ones, from UK Stock, granted emanating from China.


I'm sure there are some in the catalogue Steve linked to which would be appropriate, and on the shelf from good old Farnells in Leeds from solid sounding Schnieder Electrics

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Ebay, a tenner.

Thanks Steve, good solid Japanese OEM stuff ships from Scotland! a contender.

and this is probably still the front runner

Regards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

This is the simplest starter circuit you can use. The solenoid will only ever be energised while you hold the button in. Any failsafe Normally Closed contacts can be added into the relay operation line which will break this circuit when the failsafe relay, operated maybe from oil pressure sensor as Jim suggested, operates. Just a starting point!!

Own work

[Hell Razor5543]

Might this do?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284963876787 ... %7Ciid%3A1

Thanks James. It's the sort of thing James but I don't like the Skull and Crossbones! Ships from China, which as I discover is where they all come from. Probably better getting one from somewhere that at least has stock in the UK with a bit of shorter delivery.

I sort of think I will plump for the most popular ones, from UK Stock, granted emanating from China.


I'm sure there are some in the catalogue Steve linked to which would be appropriate, and on the shelf from good old Farnells in Leeds from solid sounding Schnieder Electrics



Regards Neil

If you go through the drop-down list you will see that the start (momentary) has the words "Engine Start".

[Paul-R]

Nah, this one.