Hi Guys
Firstly apologies for a long winded post. I have had this brain fart and need your opinions please.
Has anybody tried fitting additional parking aid sensors up front? As we are all aware, the front end of the XKR is long and low, this is something that I am extremely conscious of when parking the car. Inevitably, you either park a mile away from the curb in a parking bay, or when you think you about right, you suddenly hear that dreaded scraping sound and it’s already too late.
What I’m thinking of is to install two sensors up front in the bumper to give the warning in the same fashion that they work when you are backing up. I have had a look at the wiring diagram and personally believe this can be done.
What I’m thinking of doing and this is where I need your advice and guidance. Please correct me if I’m wrong here.
1. The module currently gets the activation signal from the reverse lights. I’m thinking of doubling up on that input with a signal from the brake lights and putting a diode on each of the input lines from the reverse and brake lights so that there is no back feed between the two circuits. As I see it, you will always have your foot on the brake when parking; this will activate the parking aid when you need it.
2. Fit and connect two new sensors from the front bumper in parallel with two existing sensors from the back bumper at the module. This is where I am not sure how the sensors are going to react when connected in parallel. Is there a potential problem with their outputs connected together, if so, would it help if I was to put a diode on each sensors output. Would the diode perhaps have an effect on the input signal to the module? Not knowing, I am assuming this is a variable voltage input, so a diode will probably have an effect on the calibrated distances of an obstacle in relation to the audible beeping.
Assuming I can get this to work, does anybody know what angle of vision these sensors work at? Setting them up in the correct location and angle in the front bumper is going to be the next trick. One would have to try and mount them low and set them up at the correct angle so they do not see the road, but see the height of the curb at the set distance to park safely without scraping.
So what do you guys think, is this just a brain fart, or is it possible? Please, I would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions here.

Warm greetings.

Barry.

 

Just buy a new parking aid from ebay and fit that independently, they cost peanuts.

 

+1

Barry - I think you are trying to make this a lot harder than it need be.

Graham

 

I have not really thought about that option. Will have a look and see what is availabe.

 

Go on google, ( Front parking sensors ), look at ( Kurb allert ) heard good reports on this one , also ( Ford mustang sensor for any cars ) let us know what you think.? both look interesting. Im also thinking of installing cameras Back & Front . Bernie

 

Thanks, I will have a look. Besides the kurb, I park Kitty as good as up against a standby water tank in my garage with 6" to spare behind her for garage door clearance. Hence the second need for the forward sensors. I am currently using a plank of wood on the floor as my forward marker in the garage that I just ease her front wheels against so I do not touch the water tank. Not very scientific, but it works in the meantime.

 

I think you will find both of these units are ajustable for front distance warning, which might help with your garage parking.

 

Bernie
You have given me a complete new line of thought here when you mentioned in your previous post about installing cameras. Yourself and the other members have convinced me to abandon hacking into the original parking aid system.

You are right, a camera system is the way to go, in fact it is better than the parking sensors. Been looking at the 4 camera systems with the 360 degree birds eye view and recording ability. The search continues now to find a good system. There are just so many makes and models available.

Thanks to all who have given their advice here, you were all right, I was heading down the wrong road with my original idea. When I find what camera system I feel will do the job, I will post here for your opinions.

What a great forum this is.

 

One of the problems is where would one put the screen ,you would want at least a 3.5" or larger, as for recording that would be a matter of choice. just another thing to go wrong I guess. anyway keep us informed, Thanks

 

Or, you could do what did to address a similar problem in my garage. Pep Boys sells a heavy rubber wheel stop (weighs about 7-8 lbs.) made from recycled tires and costs $ 20. I was formerly using a couple of wood blocks as stops, but got tired of accidentally kicking them out of position. This one doesn't move (so I can break my leg instead, I guess) and is decidedly low-tech, but it works.

 

Problem with front sensors is they would always be going off as you got close to cars at stop lights, etc. Although, I guess you could put in a cutoff switch for normal driving.

I share your fears of parking spot "bumps". Hate them and have scraped my chin on them a couple of times. Do some drivers really need a lump of concrete to keep them from going any farther? Seems like parking spaces that only have painted lines are quite sufficient.

 

The wooden block shifting out of position is my same problem as you mentioned. I have to put Kitty's nose to within an inch of the tank to make sure i have clearance at the rear for the automated garage door.

I going the camera route, it solves the garage and the curb problem, plus many other advantages of recording as you drive. Some of the models also have the facility to record 360 degree around the car while the car is parked in a parking lot. Good for security and also to identify the culprits who open their doors against the car as well as shopping trolly damage to the car.

Still busy looking which camera set-up to purchase. Still pondering where to locate the monitor. Don't want to hack into any of the original interior finishings.

 

.

 

I have a similar issue in that the blue cat has to fit "just right" to properly close the garage door and still leave room to get around the car.

SWMBO bought me the parking light and it solved the problem. Cost under $25.

The rubber floor mat is a variation on the block of wood fix, but a neighbor has it and swears by it.

Neither solves the problem of the concrete chicanes in the parking lot, but certainly less expensive.

 

Another alternative for the home garage that I picked up from my son-in-law is a tennis ball (or something like a pink soft spikey rubber monster) on a string positioned so it just touches the windscreen/windshield right in front of you. Installation can be a bit of fun since you really need the car in place for final adjustment, but can't adjust with the car there - well maybe you can if you are a lot taller than I am!

The deluxe version can also include a further reference point on the back wall as a set of 'leading marks' - line them up vertically for optimum horizontal alignment....provided they are directly in front of your 'standard' driving position.

 

Sitting here in the evenings on the construction site in Peru looking at photos of Kitty's cockpit. Like you mentioned, where to put the screen is going to be a problem. I just cannot see any practical location at the moment. Been looking at this 4.3 inch screen in a flip-top case.

4 3"LCD Monitor Folding TFT Car Rear View System Back Up Color Camera | eBay

The only place I can think of would be somewhere on top of the dash. Even then, it's not going to look pretty. Another option that I am considering is to perhaps try and squeeze a smaller conventional screen into the space under the armrest. The only problem is that it is going to have to share the space with the factory phone. It will be hidden, but not really a practical location and it's going to have to be a tiny screen.

Another location that could work would be to retrofit a screen into the cup holder. Have not really thought about this one in much detail as I am reluctant to hack the original trims for an aftermarket installation.
The only other location I can think of that might work, is to locate the flip-top screen in the glove compartment (cubby hole). Would just have to open each time I need to see the screen. At least it would be hidden and I don't have to hack anything for the installation.

Any other thoughts or ideas? I am at a loss on this one. Where ever you put it externally, it is just going to look wrong

 

As I posted the above, it just occured to me. What about a nice slim and large enough screen on top of the sun visor. Just mount it nicely covering the mirror. I am not the type that stares at myself in the mirror, so that's no loss. All you have to do is flick the visor down and the screen is right where you want it. Something similar to this, just pull off the mounting bracket to get it nice and flat.
3 5" TFT LCD Color Screen Monitor for Car Rear Reverse Rearview Backup Camera | eBay

Your thoughts?

 

Do you have Nav if so the jag wrangler, Steve, sells a kit to add cameras to the nav screen. Or convert your dash like the photo below and put in a new head unit that can display the cameras.

 

First. I was going to sujest the sunviser there is 41/2 " space beside the mirrow, I agree to have it in the nav screen is the best solution but I dont think that Steve (jagwrangler ) has perfected that yet. he has just finished working and perfecting his remote convertible top, so could be a while,( hopefully not ) But he deserves some time off. so in the meantime maybe between us we could come up with a temproary alternative, after all these aftermarket units are quite inexpensive ,I for one will be going with Steves once he has perfected it.
Perhaps Steve can chirp in here. Thanks Bernie

 

No Nav in my car