556
Rear
parking sensor for a rubber bumper V8 using radar
Finding
a way to fit rear parking sensors on his rubber bumper MGBGTV8 was something John
Gay wanted to do, so he set about researching the options and the practical
ways of undertaking an installation. As an early step he posted a query on the
V8 Bulletin Board seeking fellow members' views. Here he explains what he found
and the trial fittings he has undertaken.
Which technology was
chosen for the parking sensors?
John was grateful for Paul Atkinson highlighting
these devices that "emit radar signals from a straight radio aerial
positioned parallel to the ground as opposed to ultrasonic sound signals
from circular transmitters/receivers seen on many rear bumpers".
EPS
parking sensors produced exclusively by Proxel
John Gay purchased his electromagnetic
parking sensors direct from Proxel in Torino in Italy https://www.proxel.com/en/
. They are based on an innovative concept that uses electromagnetic waves with
low energy. When reversing the small control unit generates an electromagnetic
field and transfers this to the transceiver adhesive strip that is placed on the
inner side of the removing the rear bumper and then insulating the armature from
the chassis by using nylon top-hat insulating washers and nylon flat washers around
the fixing studs. Then the aerial was bolted to the armature at one end making
the armature itself the aerial.
Fortunately, the rear fog lights do
not need earthing via the armature.
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Removing
the rear bumper and then insulating the armature from the chassis by using
nylon top-hat insulating washers and nylon flat washers around the fixing studs.
John explained that "unfortunately this mock-up made the reversing sensor
sound when a sharp slope up was encountered when reversing out into the road.
This is because the armature is at a rather low level for optimum operation of
the system". John adds "I am still assessing this but I have inserted
a push-button switch (single pole double throw momentary) into the supply to the
sensor. That is, the supply is only interrupted when I push the button. Not unlike
a bell push. This push button has been located under the voltmeter in the dashboard
and allows me to reboot the system from the driver's seat experimentally".
John says "the operation of the system is as good as we are going
to get. It has the benefit of not being visible".
He adds "I
had originally hoped to fix a wire aerial to the inside of the rear rubber bumper
skin when the rear bumper skin was removed. This had to be abandoned because the
"rubber" making the rear bumper skin was found to be stuck to the armature
too firmly and would
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The buzzer location was half way up the pillar on
the rear edge of the driver's door.
probably mean destroying
the 40-year-old rear bumper skin while trying to do so. The rear bumper skin is
also reinforced with "rubber" fins on the inside face of the bumper
and honeycombs making insertion of a wire very difficult".
The power
supply for the sensor is provided by a connection to the reversing lamp supply.
To provide an audible alert for the driver when reversing near an obstacle, a
buzzer is positioned inside the car. The buzzer location was half way up the pillar
on the rear edge of the driver's door.
John Gay notes that "with this
installation, I can only comment on its use on my rubber bumpered MGBGTV8. I do
not think it is possible to insert a wire beneath the rubber skin. However, my
comments on the installation could well apply to a chrome bumpered V8 with
the chrome bumper itself taking the place of my armature".
See
the full article, V8NOTE556 |
