UPDATE: Now Available here: NEW!! '06 -'15, XK / XKR (X150) Convertible Top Remote Control - TheJagWrangler


I am delighted to announce that I now have a video demo now of the XK Convertible Remote Top. Features include:

• Remote raising and lowering of the top with the SmartKey.
• Raising of the top with the door handle button
• One touch convertible top console button operation
• An optional add-on to control the rear quarter windows to reduce wind noise.

 

Apologies if you have covered this previously, but could you give me an idea as to what else is involved in the install process?

 

By the way, please put me on the waiting list. I'm in like Flynn.

 

Very briefly the major steps are:
-Disconnect the battery
-Remove the rear seats
-Remove the left side emergency roll bar
-Make 9 color-coded connections to the convertible control wiring harness behind the rear seat with very reliable wire taps called Posi-taps (http://www.posi-lock.com/posiplug.html). No soldering is required.
-Plug in two new connectors if adding rear window option.
-The module mounts on top of the fusebox behind the rear seats with industrial-grade Velcro.
-Test and reassemble

I include very detailed instructions so there is no guesswork. All hardware is included. I also provide support as needed to insure success. You will need a small metric ratchet and Torx wrench set.

No special skills are required. A good guideline is if you are comfortable assembling a piece of Ikea furniture and replacing a broken wall light switch in your house you are up to do this job yourself. If not, a shop will probably charge about 2 hours labor.

 

Sounds relatively simple, although I do have some wall plug stories in my past.

Looking forward to the install.

Thanks.

 

With a more complex convertible top control mechanism than the earlier XK8 model you've clearly had a lot of development work to do for the XK version.

It's got to be a 'must have' for any convertible owner.

Graham

 

Very impressive! Definitely seems like a great party trick.

Any what happens if the top raising is interrupted, either via the buttons, opening a door, dead battery, tree blocking it from closing, etc.?

 

I'm sure these will go "like snaw aff a dyke"

 

Congrats Steave, worth waiting for. Already on your list. Bernie

 

Yes. I started the project about a year ago. Quite early on, in February 2013 I posted success with a proof of concept: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...l-works-90753/.

But the devil is in the details. It took the rest of the year (OK, this is not my day job..evenings and weekends) to get this to the point of a reliable product that is straighforward to install. A big part of that was dealing with the types of special issues that Alan refers to as gracefully as possible.

To specifically answer Alan's question a second press of the lock or unlock button will stop the top in its tracks instantly. Then with another press you can continue the cycle or reverse the cycle. In other words if there is an object in the way you still have control. However, as with manual operation, you need to pay attention to what you are doing for safety. One touch operation on the console can also be disabled with a switch on the module if you have small children.

Dead battery behavior is unchanged. You need a good battery to operate the vehicle, including the top reliably. The interior top switches will work with the engine on or off now.

Some will be concerned about the impact on the battery. The module was designed to sleep after 60 seconds and provide no significant drain. A single top cycle drains approx. 0.1 to 0.2% of the battery charge. This has been well proven on the earlier XK8/R which supported top operation off of battery to not have a significant effect on battery life in typical use.

Obviously, if you stand around all day and amuse yourself by putting the top up and down it is a different story.

 

Very good, thanks for the information. It sounds like you did a great job with the R&D!

 

Looks very good. Yes please put me on the list.

Just a quick question, can it drop the hood when traveling at say 25 mph?
In the Uk sometimes you just have time to pull over before being soaked with the rain. Other cars can drop the hood on the move, Aston, R8 etc. Just a thought.

 

Steve - great work on this product!!!

 

As of this moment I have not added the speed override. I am, however, almost certain I can do it with a software upgrade and probably will if there is sufficient interest.

This product is re-programmable (unlike the earlier XK8 version) and can be reflashed (ie; software upgraded) in a minute with nothing more that a PC and an (included) USB cable.

 

Very nice.....have you applied for a patent on your control device?

If so, I highly suggest that you sell the idea directly to Jaguar.

I am so surprised they have not figured this device out yet and how to produce it.

You may be ready for the "Shark Tank".

Great job of engineering, electronics and software.

I am sure I will be placed on your list for orders.

 

Thanks for the feedback and interest.

IMHO, Jaguar could have easily implemented all of this in their existing top controller software if they chose to for little or no additional cost. For reasons only that one can guess at, they chose not to.

As for Shark Tank, once they hear the low number of XK's in production, I think I would be booted off pretty darn fast. I do this for mostly the love of the car, to provide fellow owners with a great experience and just the challenge of it. Most of the return ends up going into developing the next product.

 

Any idea when this will go into production and be available to us all?

Any warranties on the product?

 

It will be going out to several Beta testers over the next few days. I expect, if all goes well, it will be generally available in February.

Because of limited initial quantities, I will be contacting customers directly who expressed an early interest, or on the waiting list before it goes on sale publicly on my site.

All my standard products are warranted for one year and I guarantee successful installation or your money back. If you search for threads for the Remote Top and RealGauge on the '96-'06 XK8/R and XJ X308 forums you will see I have a solid reputation for customer satisfaction.

 

Count me in. I'm completely fascinated by this.

 

Looks terrific. Count me in.