F355 spider remote control for top

The whole roof locking mechanism would need redesigning. This because the 430/360 roof is locked to the header rail via electronically controlled hooks. Were as the 355 roof is locked to the header rail manually turning the centre hand leaver 180degrees to locate the larger hooks.

 

+1.....impossible?

 

Doh!!!! Its even more simpler just to push the purpose built in button while you are sitting in the car straight after you have undone the leaver latch. Why get out the car to do EXACTLY the same thing but with another button?? Or are you winding us up come on admit it...you are arnt you

 

This looks interesting. My top isn't working right now though due to bad potentiometers and a problem with the seat/top control ECU. Maybe when I start working on fixing my issues, I will look into designing this type of circuit as well.
Bypassing the switch with this type of control box should be relatively simple. Ricambi has wiring diagrams for the connections on their site. http://www.ricambiamerica.com/wsm/35...WSM_3index.htm (page 64). If you want the console switch and the remote to both work, then you will probably have a more complex circuit design. Maybe it could be done with some basic digital logic chips that control power FETs to apply the 12V to the ECU. Then maybe you could find a keychain remote to control the top. Just some thoughts.

 

It looks like it should work. I would need to see a circuit diagram though. It implies that it remotely switches relays with a 40A capacity. I assume it means that the relays are directly connecting the 12V battery voltage to the output wires, although the wires do not look large enough to carry 40A. That shouldn't matter though. I'm not sure what the "top control" ECU requires as far as current, but it seems that it uses 12V to send a signal to a Motorola PLCC on the ECU board. This would mean that it doesn't require very much current, so this remote controller should work.
So how do you plan on keeping the console switch working? If you wire the remote switch in parallel with the console switch, then you would have an issue if you accidentally pushed the console switch one way, and the remote switch the other way.

 

Sorry, my Ricambi link didn't seem to work right. Here it is again. http://www.ricambiamerica.com/wsm/355vol3/355WSM_3index.htm . Page 64.

It appears that you could just splice the wires right to the same wires that the switch uses.

 

But if you are already in the car to turn the lever.....

 

+1.....or you could simply get in, undo the latch, get out and press your "remote", get back in an adjust your seat back, get out and install your tourneo cover, get back in and check your mirrors, get out and double check your brake lights are working, get in and turn on the radio, get out and change radio stations with your other "remote", get back in to adjust the volume while sitting, get out to make sure it is not too loud for the neighbors, get back in and start the car, get out to check exhaust temp, get in to warm it up, get out and check tire inflation, get in and test clutch, get out and use your other "remote" to blast youself into outer space....

 

What I think you require is a Clifford Programmable Garage Door Receiver for the control side, this is available from any Car Audio dealer who installs Clifford Alarms, it comes with two remote Keyfobs and the unit has three remote outputs which can be configured in many ways, all of which are described in the instructions.

If you install the wiring and configure it to a non latched output you will simply hold down the button for the required amount of time, it can be timed but i would not go down this route due to safety issues and hood obstructions.

The other out puts can be connected to any other electrics in the car such as the driving lights so you can illuminate the ground in the front of the car like the new Mercs and BM's to "aid your passage to your house in the dark"

I have also hard wired a factory remote to one of these units and then mounted the factory remote in a secure position in the car so that the Clifford remote then controls the factory remote, argue amongst yourselves whether this is a good thing or not but the Clifford remote has far more advanced technology than the remote that came with your beloved.

 

May i be the first to congratulate you bud.I think you have done a sterling job on that mate. Looks well engineered, works well and a great pose. Can the standard console switch still be used at all? Any ways fantastic job mate
BUT for the life of me i cant see why you cant sit in the car and press the button on the console. I know you say you are over 5ft 9, but how tall are you?? I my self am 6ft and i know quite a few 355 spider drivers are as well and all manage with out any problems what so ever. There was one guy who also had one called Gordon who was 6ft 4!! He was a large framed guy, a good guy as well by the way
Is it the fact that you are tall with a large frame/waist and find it tight in there? It just seems very fussy to sit in the car and undo the top latch, then get out and drop the roof via remote control. And to close it, get out the car to close it via remote and then get back in and latch back the roof.
I am not in any way knocking what you have done because i think its a genuine marvelous thing you have done. I am just trying to understand the logic behind this method.

 

But.....no you dont. As a 6 ft owner and another mate of mine who is a little taller and also owns a spider, there is no problem. Thats why i am asking how tall are you?

 

I really cant see how this is more convenient So you have developed this conversion for people who are taller than you by at least 8 inches then Mmm dont know if there will be many takers personally, but this may be your golden egg one never knows.
Like i said great feat of engineering though, but i will just press the button i think

 

Hi, great idea and your Youtube video makes the operation very convenient.

I am interested in this remote control installation. What remote was used in the end and do you by chance have any details of the installation in the car i.e. remote receiver and wiring connections?

Many thanks.

 

a tall person in a F355 with the roof doesn't look particularly smart either. better to leave the roof closed all the time.

 

You may want to send the OP a PM, that thread is from 2008.