Yeah me too. I could go either way but as a minimum a single push and release for sunroof and again for top down would be acceptable.
Just remember that anything done to the switch would still have to allow the use of the key fob for opening remotely as well as the lock and hold from the door for closing.

I would be all over it though as long as there was no soldering, stripping of wires or cutting of any kind (I am electrically challenged in every aspect).

 

While we're at it, adding auto-up to the overhead cabrio window controls would be nice. It would close all 4 windows with a single touch. It already does auto down for all 4 windows.

 

I forgot about those, but that would be great too since you have to hold the button down to get the rear windows to move and then keep holding to get side windows to move. Yeah that's a PITA too!
Gawd are we lazy or what?

 

Programming that is a no brainer, but I see a lot more potential for risk since most of the stock one-touch windows have some load sensing function so the window stops if someone's hand is in the way. That could be trouble.

But on the plus side, I opened up that panel and took a peak inside and there's plenty of room to play in there, so that's good news!

 

While you're at it, could you just install one in my head, so I could think about opening it on the way out the door from work?

 

I'm in for that. Remember though, no cutting, splicing or soldering.

 

Don't be such a scaredy cat.

 

Well, the current auto-up circuits (Ian's and MCAW) already have that problem, so you'd be doing no worse.

 

That's why my original design was double-click, not single-click ... anyone expecting the function (and sensing) of factory single-click won't get surprised, only someone knowing to double-click and knowing the lack of sensing will activate the auto-up.

Veritek,
If you can develop it then all power to you. I don't know there's much advice you'd need from me but of course I'm always ready to support the community if I can.
Check out the design of the MINI circuit - in particular note how inputs are diode separated from the MINIs signal (with pull-up active in the PIC). This design ensures that the PIC doesn't load the very high impedance MINI electronics.

 

Oh, I'm tired just thinking of pressing, holding, releasing, pressing again, oh my head hurts! Seriously though, an auto down/up feature for the top and/or the windows would really be great. It'd be nice to hop in the car, start the engine, push the top down button and get buckled in and the radio set while the top goes down. The convenience of modern technology!

 

The SLK crowd gets an aftermarket module to do exactly that and more.....

Now I want one too! Count me in!

 

GBMINI,

If I remember correctly, your product uses the same cable connectors making installation very easy. What's the best way to get a single connector from Mini? All the dealers in the area say that I can't just buy that one connector, I would have to buy the entire electrical kit. Any thoughts?

 

My MINI circuit uses a readily available connector which is NOT the MINI part but happens to fit the connector - it's missing the latching mechanism.

 

If you build it (and it works), I will buy it.

Count me +1

 

I would too

 

I'd buy this too!

 

I'd buy two (one for each of our cabrios). They already both have Ian's "Auto-Up" circuit, so this would be a perfect complement.

Seriously, I think an automatic circuit for the convertible roof would be as big of a hit among the cabrio owners as his auto-up circuit (which is probably one of the best "must-have" mods available for the MINI).

 

Just a note ...
Someone else on this thread (who owns a convertible) said THEY would develop something, so I have no plans to do so.

 

I'm just bumping this thread back up to see if Veritek is still planning his one-touch function.

Frankly I'd be happy with two touch. One touch to open the sun-roof and the second to open the roof entirely.

 

I'm bumping the thread back alive to see if after a year anything has come about..... i would be interested in a module like this. The GBMINI one that I have for the side windows is great!

 

I watched someone at work get into their 3 series, and push one button to get the top to come down. I have seen the buttons in some BMW's look like the buttons in the MINI, wonder if something could be retrofitted?

 

I think the part that makes it non-trivial for the MINI is the sunroof feature of the folding top.

It would be easy to rig up a timer circuit so that tapping a switch would simulate holding the "top down" button for 15-20 seconds, but that wouldn't work because the roof would just open to the "sunroof" position and stay there.

You'd need something that would simulate holding the "top down" button for 5-6 seconds to get the top to the sunroof position, then interrupt the circuit and re-apply it for 10 more seconds to get the top to go the rest of the way down. And realistically, you'd also want the circuit to momentarily tap the "rear window down" button to fully open all of the windows while you're at it.

I've figured out how to do it with a "Rabbit" BL2000 microprocessor, but that's a $300 solution and considering the capabilities of the BL2000, it's akin to cutting butter with a chainsaw.

 

Such a circuit is pretty easy to develop - no more complex than my existing auto-up for the door windows. The tricky bit is making it installable by people with minimal trouble.
The huge advantage of the original auto-up was that there happened to be a supply on the toggle switch panel connector; I have not reviewed the convertible roof control wiring to see if any similar option is present.

Maybe since I now drive a convertible, I should look at it

 

I'd still be interested in one

 

Maybee,
I could not say it any better myself; alway always honor the host. Absolutely no cutting, splicing or soldering.