[T3] Electric/Mechanical Brake Switch

[John Jaranson <jaransonT3@comcast.net>]

<x-flowed>Recently found out that Sophy's brake lights were only coming on when I 
really pushed hard on the brake peddle.  I could actually stop quite 
quickly without the brake lights coming on.  Almost had to stand on the 
pedal to get them to activate.  Seems the electric/hydraulic switches 
on the master cylinder had stopped working well.

So.....I have been meaning to switch over to an electric/mechanical 
switch acting on the pedal (like modern cars) for some time.  Well I 
finally tackled the job tonight.  I picked up a neat little Normally 
Open/Common/Normally Closed switch from the electronics crib at work a 
while ago just for this purpose.  Check out the pictures of my 
installation.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jjaranson/SophyBrakeSwitch/Switch1.jpg
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jjaranson/SophyBrakeSwitch/Switch2.jpg
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jjaranson/SophyBrakeSwitch/Switch3.jpg
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jjaranson/SophyBrakeSwitch/Switch4.jpg

I bent up a little bracket for the switch out of some sheetmetal and 
attached it to the vertical panel under the angled toe board covering 
the pedal assembly.  The switch is attached to this bracket with its 
own little adjustable bracket.  The little roller on the switch arm 
hits the brake pedal and trips the switch.  I only had to unplug the 
wire going from the MC to the brake lights and plug it into one side of 
the switch.  The other side of the switch got connected to the wire 
coming off of the fuse panel that normally would go down to the MC 
switches.  I adjusted the switch bracket so that the switch closes with 
maybe 1/4" of pedal movement.  Way before the brakes are even starting 
to engage.

Seems to work very nicely.  I did have to clearance the angled toe 
board a little to clear the switch and bracket.  The carpet did not 
need to be cut.  I am a little concerned about the switch getting wet 
during use.....from stuff dripping off my shoes.  I will look into 
making a small shield for it or maybe just coat the connections with 
grease.

Let me know what you think.  I will get specifics of the switch 
tomorrow if anyone is interested.  Forgot to write them down before 
installing.

Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'70 Fasty (Jane 2 - Type 3 Lead Sled wannabe)
'71 Fasty (Jane -parts car due to rust)
various parts.....don't we all.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransonT3/jaransonT3/
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransonT3/2006Invasion/
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransonT3/notavwclub/

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