DashHawk Switched Extension II

[08G8V8]

For those of you with the DashHawk probably know, the DashHawk is still working behind the scenes after the car is shut off, drawing power and contributing to running down the battery.

TomPierce created a DIY thread for this last year:
http://forum.grrrr8.net/showthread.php?9418-DashHawk-Switched-Extension&highlight=dashhawk

I was searching around a week or so ago, and found a similar device that basically builds the ability to turn the DH on/off built right into the cable. You can order the parts to modify your existing cable or buy a full cable with this function built in. I decided to test my soldering skills (rookie) and go the DIY route.

Here is the part:
http://www.fes-auto.com/products_detail.php?productid=26

There are instructions to download on this page, and Matt the owner is very quick and helpful with any questions you might have.

Here is the pin layout:
http://www.msdignition.com/forum/showpost.php?p=59057&postcount=8

I like techie things, so I figured I would give it a go.

This is what comes in the kit:
http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr52/jdschaak/Dashhawk%20pics/CIMG0742.jpg

You will notice that not all pins on the original DH cable are used, so the kit only supplies the required ones and a few extra to make the PCB board sturdy once soldered:
http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr52/jdschaak/Dashhawk%20pics/CIMG0748.jpg

First I cut the end of the original DH cable, leaving enough cable to splice it back together incase I F'd it up:
http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr52/jdschaak/Dashhawk%20pics/CIMG0751.jpg

Then I used a multi-meter to determine which wire went to which pin:
http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr52/jdschaak/Dashhawk%20pics/CIMG0752.jpg

I did not use the small section of heat shrink wrap supplied, as I figured I would probably need more. So, I bought some at Home Depot. Before I started soldering, I slid a section up the wire out of the way so I could solder.

I then soldered the wired to the PCB board. After that I soldered the PCB board to the pins:
http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr52/jdschaak/Dashhawk%20pics/CIMG0754.jpg

Slid the heat shrink wrap down the wire and got the heat gun out to shrink it.

Glued on the top, inserted the power button:
http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr52/jdschaak/Dashhawk%20pics/CIMG0756.jpg

Went out to the car, plugged it in and it worked! Not the most skilled soldering job, but it worked.

If you like to keep the DH in your car, and have concerns about running down the battery, this is a great solution. This will allow you to turn power off when the car is off, and when you want to log data with the DH, you can just plug a USB cable into the side with your laptop and not have to remove the DH. I am very pleased.

[TomPierce]

08G8V8,

Nicely done - and good DIY instructions as well !

One caution to builders - the DashHawk forum says that the company has sourced the cables from many different suppliers - your cable may have different color wires or the same color wires but connected to different pins.

The step "Then I used a multi-meter to determine which wire went to which pin:" is critical, even if you see the same color wires as in the writeup.

Great post!

[rez0nance]

Excellent, excellent, excellent! I had ordered a bunch of parts for the switch but hadn't gotten around to doing it, but this version looks much better.

[08G8V8]

Yeah, I ordered parts quite awhile ago and once I saw how small the pins were, I put the project off. I was going to start it a few weeks ago, and then came across this setup.

Thanks for the added CAUTION Tom! The PCB board that comes with the kit is clearly labeled for the (4) locations to solder the wires to. My pics are sort of blurry, but when you get the board, you will see it is very clear. The other locations are for other vehicles, and extra pins to make the board more sturdy.

There are (2) ground pins on the OBD plug, but there is only (1) ground wire coming from the DH that connects to (1) location on the PCB, and then this connection is tied to both ground pins once soldered.

[TCorzett]

Very cool. I unplugged mine when I knew i was going to be away for a while. Having a way to turn it off/on manually is a good idea.

-Todd...

[drumsbh]

08G8V8,

Nicely done - and good DIY instructions as well !

One caution to builders - the DashHawk forum says that the company has sourced the cables from many different suppliers - your cable may have different color wires or the same color wires but connected to different pins.

The step "Then I used a multi-meter to determine which wire went to which pin:" is critical, even if you see the same color wires as in the writeup.

Great post!


Thank you for posting this tip... Mine were different. Red=Power, Black=Ground, Can-Lo=Orange, Can-Hi=Brown. Thanks again...

[Panzer Leader]

Makes me wonder why Dashhawk does not make this available with the unit. If you do not want to DIY, can you get a prewired changeout cable? As I no longer get the monthly diagnostic reports (well no engine, trans or tire pressure data) This is the way to go. Plus, I think my computer is ready to funk out. Therefore, a new laptop will be on order.

[drumsbh]

Makes me wonder why Dashhawk does not make this available with the unit. If you do not want to DIY, can you get a prewired changeout cable? As I no longer get the monthly diagnostic reports (well no engine, trans or tire pressure data) This is the way to go. Plus, I think my computer is ready to funk out. Therefore, a new laptop will be on order.

Here you go...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MSD-DashHawk-Cable-Power-Button-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3cb6d3a6b2QQitemZ26076 5361842QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries