08G8V8
04-06-2010, 04:19 PM
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 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.