Every since Bumblestook's first iteration of her BSP builds in 2013, we needed a clever way to place the momentary switches needed to operated the Racepak dash as well as USB ports to simplify connecting a laptop to either the ECU or the dash. This was done by putting them in a metal bracket and then placed inside the center console so it would be out of sight. This wasn't a high priority for the build so it was mostly just cobbled together and the switches were very flaky. It was also mostly held in place by a single self-tapping screw. This would often create all kinds of rattles and sometimes you wouldn't be able to connect to the ECU using these USB ports so you'd have to pull the console up to juggle the wires to make it reconnect.
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| Old ECU and Dash USB ports and dash switches |
When we brought Bumblestook back to her current street-legal form last year, we replaced the momentary switches with better ones and tried to at last secure the bracket to the console using silicone so it would stop the rattling. There were so many other higher priority items we needed to get working, we knew this was just going to be a temporary solution until we could do this better.
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| New setup for ECU and Dash USB ports and switches |
Today we finally got to address this once and for all. SJF created a new metal bracket that is now fully fastened to the console. We changed the configuration so that they attach vertically for a cleaner install and give me some of the center console space back. This allowed us to remove the 90-degree adapters that set behind the USB ports that were frequently the source of my connection issues. I just have to clean up the leftover silicone but I'm really happy about this new setup.
