Off Topic A Backward Project

[AndyRKett]

At the moment, I’m laid up with a knackered back.

This means two things

1. I’m bored, very very bored
2. I only have a tv and a laptop for entertainment.

So I was searching eBay for things I could do to the Punto once my back recovers.
Knowing my Punto is already prewired for parking sensors I was looking up to see how much genuine parking sensors are, which as it turns out is a lot, and getting the genuine looms and the correct module could prove tricky.

I don’t like the aftermarket kits because of the horrible LED monitor that you have to attach somewhere on the dash.
The parking sensors in my Golf appear on the radio and give you an indication of distance, I wondered if there was an aftermarket kit that did something similar, turns out there is, but not wanting to replace the radio, I would need a separate screen.

Turns out automotive colour LCD screens are very cheap and if I’m going down that route I might as well throw in a reversing camera.

So from eBay I bought a reversing camera costing £7

Also a screen costing just £13

I have also order but it’s not arrived yet, a set of 4 parking sensors with a video input and output to allow it to overlay the parking sensor info on the screen.

All easy and straight forward, suction cup the screen to the window, piggy back fuse for power and drill some holes in the bumper....


Naaaaah, that’s not what I want.

I got a 3D printer for Christmas and the whole purpose was for projects like this so I have set about designing a roof mounted binnacle for mounting the screen.

This is a project in its infancy and my 3D design skills are pretty poor at best, however here is Version 1.0 with the screen mounted. Fast low quality print, to prove the concept. Watch this space for future updates. At the moment all I can do is work on the binnacle, but once my back is better I can do the full install.

Back to the drawing board, I need to add vent holes to let heat away from the back of the monitor and give it a little more space behind for components as it’s a bit tight.

I need to also make the front enclose the screen better, as at the moment you can see the galvanised frame of the monitor. I may move the monitor back and include some space in front of it for some buttons or switches, and many new cars have some small LEDs that shine down on the gear stick area which is also a possible addition.

What would you add to something like this? Let me know below if you have any ideas.

 

[StevenRB45]

Kinda depends where you are going to fit it, I have one of the aforementioned LED down lighters but it is directly above the gear knob. It strikes me if you place that in this position you may be blocking your rear view mirror.

If you are fitting front and centre on the inside sunglasses holder with a hinged lid?

 

[DaveMcT]

Honda's new electric town car (looks like the original Civic) has cameras on the door instead of mirrors. the screens are each side of the dash. A camera at the top of each A pillar would be even less visible and give a better view.

Looks like another project idea.

PS What's happened to your back? DIsc prolapse = medical but pretty much anything else a chiropractor will get you sorted.

PPS A 2mm aluminium cover frame around the screen would look good. Cut the metal with step drilled holes at the corners and angle grinder with 1mm slitting disc to cut the straight lines. Clean edges with a file and give it a brushed finish with a flap wheel. Quick coat of clear lacquer job done. Attach with large flange buttonhead or countersunk stainless socket screws or glue it on with car body acrylic sealer.

 

[AndyRKett]

Kinda depends where you are going to fit it, I have one of the aforementioned LED down lighters but it is directly above the gear knob. It strikes me if you place that in this position you may be blocking your rear view mirror.

Yes it is going above the gears/backward of the interior light.

A very valid point about the rear view mirror, having looked at this it does just show the back bottom part of the enclosure in the top of the mirrors reflection but does not obstruct the view of the mirror. I can rake the screen back on more of an angle and I can sink it further into the ceiling to over come this.

A sunglasses holder would be nice, not sure if there is room. I can think about it though.

 

[AndyRKett]

PS What's happened to your back? DIsc prolapse = medical but pretty much anything else a chiropractor will get you sorted.

PPS A 2mm aluminium cover frame around the screen would look good. Cut the metal with step drilled holes at the corners and angle grinder with 1mm slitting disc to cut the straight lines. Clean edges with a file and give it a brushed finish with a flap wheel. Quick coat of clear lacquer job done. Attach with large flange buttonhead or countersunk stainless socket screws or glue it on with car body acrylic sealer.

Dunno what’s wrong with back, had an MRI Wednesday and seeing the consultant Monday so we’ll see then. Paying private to get it sorted quickly, and sorry but I would never go to a chiropractor.

I like the idea of the aluminium front, but want to keep it simple, the final design will be much more smooth and in keeping with the rest of the Evo interior.
Weirdly fiat didn’t install any chrome or silver coloured trim in this car it instead decided what people want is a strange pearlescent white coloured trim, which I don’t think it’s possible to replicate.

 

[StevenRB45]

A sunglasses holder would be nice, not sure if there is room. I can think about it though.

They don't have to be huge, a c shaped/bucket plastic flap just big enough for glasses and a 90 degree hinge out of the panel. To be honest I was just thinking of the roof unit in mine.



Obviously it's lined with anti scratch material and flush with the roof once shut.

 

[DaveMcT]

Dunno what’s wrong with back, had an MRI Wednesday and seeing the consultant Monday so we’ll see then. Paying private to get it sorted quickly, and sorry but I would never go to a chiropractor.

Fair enough on the chiropractor/osteopath issue, but do ask yourself about the level of intervention. If a few adjustments (which are painless) sort it, then why would you go under the knife with its risks of infection, anaesthetic and medical mistakes. The surgeons are great by the way but only human.

Chiros and osteos have the same levels of training as GPs. I works in a GPs surgery and I'm often being asked about anatomy and orthopeadic stuff. We are not magic but we are not dangerous either. The risks are nothing compared to surgery.

If you have pain in the leg below the knee, a nerve root is more likely and possibly amenable to surgery. A few basic orthopedic tests can give a good idea.

If you have back or buttock pain, NOT below the knee - it's likely to be a mechanical issue. Surgery wont help and will probably be refused anyway. Careful adjustments sort out the tensions that are triggering the muscle spasms and the problem subsides over time. Alternatively take powerful anti-inflammatory meds, risk the side effects and possibly never solve the problem.

I'm not pro or anti any of the methods. I just suggest the least risky should be used first.

 

[AndyRKett]

Chiros and osteos have the same levels of training as GPs.

Well if nothing else you gave me a good laugh.

Seriously though I am married to a doctor and have worked in health care now for 10 years, and in that time I’ve met more than my fair share of supposedly “highly qualified” chiropractors and oesteopaths

Results are back and treatment ordered, hopefully I’ll be all back to normal in a few weeks time.

 

[DaveMcT]

I have no intentions of getting into a slanging match over training just to say that UK chiropractic is four to 5 years at university to get an undergraduate masters - if you are lucky. It is a tough course with a significant drop out rate. I work with trainee GPs who tell me they are humbled by the technical anatomical knowledge of their chiropractic peers. I was humbled because I know how hard they all work.


The definitive book for medical imaging is by Terry Yochum and Lindsay Roe. Both of whom began as chiropractors. I met Linsday Rowe in 2008. An amazing healer, researcher chiropractor and medical consultant. He reached the level of senior registrar of disgnostic and interventional radiology. He would have said, not bad going for a bone clicker. Sadly we lost him in 2016 to cancer.


My physiology professor (Prof Andrew Davies PhD DSc) was a retired research prof who developed red blood cell ghosts at Addenbrooks and Edinburgh for research into drug transmission across cell membranes. As a student, he was taught by Hans Krebs (the Krebs cycle guy) which puts me two steps from Albert Einstein as they were friends.


There is much respect between the professions though some (both sides) like to denegrade the work of the other side.