Working on a setup to replace my automatic transmission gear selector with pushbuttons. I've already done a dash swap and I'd like to make a custom center console, and I think the pushbuttons would be a cool addition. I will make a custom circuit board and probably 3d print the buttons and housing. For safety I will have an enable button which will need to be held down to make the other buttons work. I also want to add a second layer of safety by adding a brake switch or maybe a speed input. My engine/transmission is from an 03 Chrysler and runs on CAN bus so I may try and use that for a speed input (if I can figure out how to hack the data bus).

Here is a short video of my setup.

[This message has been edited by seajai (edited 12-17-2017).]

Nice setup! I love the ability to customize the software and such. I have been researching, and wanting to do this for a few months now. I found a nice "off the shelf" version, but unfortunately it only has 3 positions. I would like 4 at least, P,R,N,D. Not too concerned about L1 and L2, as I do not plan on really towing anything heavy (I have the 4T54eHD transmission on my 3800SC swap)

I am no good at electronics, is this the setup that you did?

Here is the link to the 3 position one

Another fail safe I want to incorporate, is to not allow the transmission while driving, to go to either Reverse or Park.

[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 12-17-2017).]

quote Originally posted by JohnWPB: Nice setup! I love the ability to customize the software and such. I have been researching, and wanting to do this for a few months now. I found a nice "off the shelf" version, but unfortunately it only has 3 positions. I would like 4 at least, P,R,N,D. Not too concerned about L1 and L2, as I do not plan on really towing anything heavy (I have the 4T54eHD transmission on my 3800SC swap) I am no good at electronics, is this the setup that you did? Here is the link to the 3 position one Another fail safe I want to incorporate, is to not allow the transmission while driving, to go to either Reverse or Park.

My setup is custom so I had to write my own code. I am using a servo instead of a linear actuator like your link. A servo (or linear servo) has a built-in encoder for position feedback and can be controlled using the servo library written for Arduino.

By using the library, a simple "servo.write" command followed by a degree number gets the servo to move to the desired position. This makes it easy to fine-tune the operation, all I need to do is change the degree# to get the servo to go to the exact position I need. So in theory, you could have 180 positions with a servo. I will need a strong servo to move the arm on the transmission but high torque servos get pretty expensive ($300 bucks or more) so I may go with a linear servo instead. A linear servo uses gear reduction to output more torque and are around $100 bucks.

Arduino servo library

Servo write command example

[This message has been edited by seajai (edited 12-18-2017).]

Looks really nice! Are you planning on incorporating the activation (safety) switch into the brake pedal switch like in most modern cars? Or do you plan to have the button finger pushed like in your video?

-Van

quote Originally posted by VanGTP5000: Looks really nice! Are you planning on incorporating the activation (safety) switch into the brake pedal switch like in most modern cars? Or do you plan to have the button finger pushed like in your video? -Van

I'll probably end up using both the enable switch as well as a brake switch. I was thinking about putting a relay on the signal line between the servo and Arduino and controlling it with a brake switch. There is a little noise on the signal line that causes the servo to twich a little bit when it's idle. A relay on that line would stop the twitching and act as a safety switch.

I have had this option available for the LS4 swaps that I do. I use a linear actuator and a Arduino computer to drive the actuator. With the arduino you can set it up to select as many positions as you need. My system can be used on any automatic transmission.

Joe Sokol

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85 SE Daily driver with a 3.4 DOHC OBD II
88 Formula/GT 4.9 Allante Intake (My Baby)
www.fieroking.com

https://rover.ebay.com/rove...2Fitm%2F112672319066

Something like this may do the job, I've been looking at these to do a arduino hvac control.

[This message has been edited by jmbishop (edited 12-24-2017).]

You could get by with a regular servo for HVAC, the doors shouldn't need much force to move. Plus the servo library is easy to use. I was looking at this linear servo Which one depends on how much force it takes to move the shift lever on my transmission.

[This message has been edited by seajai (edited 12-25-2017).]