Charge port open warning

[LanguidSphinx]

So... this is maybe a little excessive, but it's the sort of small project I like to do

I left the charge port door (metal flap) open - unlatched, but not wide open, i.e. the position is is in if you press the release button.

Driving down the road the wind pushed it to fully open with a small clunk, I pulled over and shut it, the design means it wasn't in any danger of breaking, just an oopsie and learning experience, so end of the story.....except it gave me an afternoon project idea!

So, now a simple hood/alarm type switch replaces one of the plastic fixing thingies in the charge port, and it triggers a small voice module that warns me about the lid being open if a) it's open, and b) the ignition is put into ON mode. Anyone else wanting this could just do an LED or beeper if you like, but I couldn't find a way to make an LED look nice in a visible location, and it would need to be an icon or label that is clear to anyone. A beeper - same thing, "what does that beeping mean?". What are the chances it is ever used in real life? Probably low, but it kept me off the streets for an afternoon I guess.

 

[LanguidSphinx]

Couple of pics - this style switch fits perfectly, no drilling, just replaces the plastic fixing on one side and there is plenty of room underneath. Another switch could be put in one of the trim holes to catch the hood being open, I didn't bother (yet at least) since you can see the hood being open from the driver's seat, and it has a secondary latch so won't fly open on the road.

 

[BillAinCT]

Another switch could be put in one of the trim holes to catch the hood being open, I didn't bother (yet at least) since you can see the hood being open from the driver's seat

There's always someone who misses it. I took a 4 mile trip with the hood latch popped and I didn't notice it while driving.

Good choice of switch and nice work on this. It's always nice to do something for yourself when you can, even if no one else would think to do it. I added additional weather stripping all along the hood to close off gaps and to keep water and dirt (mostly) out. My motor bay looks as good as it did when it was new almost 3 years ago. Dirty rain and salt water does not blow into it.

 

[LanguidSphinx]

There's always someone who misses it. I took a 4 mile trip with the hood latch popped and I didn't notice it while driving.

Fair point - I guess my thinking was also that the secondary latch stops it being a problem as such....I might still add another switch anyway, it's trivial once the wire is there for the first switch. Would have to change the message to "A front hatch is open" or something

 

[LanguidSphinx]

I added additional weather stripping all along the hood to close off gaps and to keep water and dirt (mostly) out.

It seems obvious where that would be, but do you mind posting a pic?

 

[LanguidSphinx]

Fair point - I guess my thinking was also that the secondary latch stops it being a problem as such....I might still add another switch anyway, it's trivial once the wire is there for the first switch. Would have to change the message to "A front hatch is open" or something

Did this today - simply added another series switch to one of the mounting holes for the plastic front shield and changed the voice warning to "Warning - front hatch is open". If the warning goes off when the car is turned on, it's up to the user to go look at the front and see if it's the charge port or hood/bonnet that's open.

Both this switch and the charge port switch are trivial to revert back to factory if needed in future. Worth noting, some models/markets have a hood switch as part of the hood latch that could be used instead of adding one. In my case a) I was already adding the switch for the charge port so another one next to it is trivial and cheap, and b) a slightly more important reason, my car doesn't have the hood switch