Nice new antenna switch made by Dave

[Zs-ondabrain]

Hell, even I'm intrigued.

[Z Speed]

I did that very thing to my '76 when I had it.

A great thing about a rebuildable rocker switch is that it is pretty easy to modify to effectively make it two momentary switches, it is also pretty easy to set up relays to handle the extra poles-close to the same circuit single pole double throw power window switches use...

I'll round one up over the next week or so and post the process with pictures, schematics, and part numbers...

Will

I'll take two Will....

[Arne]

I also have a fully automatic antenna on my 78. I have a switch that controlls my amp where Austen has his antenna switch. My antenna is a Harada that I paid about 20 bucks for a a surplus parts house that used to be in Ontario, Ca. about ten years ago. I don't recall the model number.

Mine is a Harada HR-22. I bought mine at a similar surplus parts house a few months ago. I had to pay $33 for mine.

[hls30.com]

I'll take two Will....

Better wait on Dave to see what it takes, he is the electrical supplier-I don't mind creating prototypes or nailing down a process, but I will almost always ask someone else to put vast(or decent) numbers together.

I am in the process of moving most of the stored parts from one location to another, so my dance card is full. I will make a technical article on the process, and then Dave can make them for sale if he wants-

Dave, I'll even send you the finished product-hopefully with a piece or two off your list...

Will

[Z Speed]

Will, I was only kidding you; hence the wink. I do realize the time and effort involved. That is one of the reasons I admire the time and effort Dave has put forth with his harnesses (which I have yet to purchase at this time; I know I know shame on me). I also appreciate the time you take with the written articles and the reproduction parts....

It is guys like you, among many others, that makes this board as great as it is....

[hls30.com]

I didn't go goofey! Well-that really depends on who you ask-thet bunch in the ZPS zone for instance! I saw the wink, and sent it back invisible!

Dave is so good at what he does well, I wouldn't step up to his plate except to put something else on it! The quality of his assemblies are first rate.

I am eyeing the park light harness myself and will include some headlight switches I threatened to send him a while back when I send the modified switch out!

Will

[Arne]

Dave is so good at what he does well, I wouldn't step up to his plate except to put something else on it!

And that's exactly where the alternator plug and the sidemarker conversions he sells came from. I think of things I'd like to have for my own car, make an ugly mockup, and let Dave do it right. It's a good system!

[Zs-ondabrain]

STOP IT. I'm blushin over here. You guys always know how to make my day.

Anyways, Send me a prototype and a list, then I'll do the basic research and evaluation on it. Break down the parts, delivery (S/H) availability, Percentages, etc.

The switches I use(d) for the antenna switch are $2.50 each (M-OFF-M) I also use them for the power door locks and power windows. The body measures in at .550 x 1.125

I can also get the 30/40 amp 5 pole relays (TYCO brand) for $2.25 each

Let me know what's up,

Dave.

[rhochisociety]

Is this switch for a new antenna (fully automatic?) thus a double pole double throw momentary automatic switch? Could you get me in contact with Dave, I have been trying to find such a switch to work my new antenna. Please send me his email or something.

Thanks,

Jim

[sblake01]

That switch is just a replacement for the semi-automatic switch. You don't really need a switch for a fully automaitc antenna. It can either be wired to the stereo if the stereo is aftermarket or to the accessory circuit if you still have the original radio. A fully automatic antenna works differently, sensing two sources of power to go up (12v switched and 12v unswitched) and one source to go down (12v unswitched). I suppose that could be done with switch but that would be more of a subject for Dave. Technically speaking, the 'switch' is already an internal part of a fully automatic antenna and all it needs are the two power sources. I could figure it out but I'm sure he already know how to set that up.

[rhochisociety]

Dave:

I noticed your handy antenna switch, I not at all good with electical stuff so bear with me. What kind of switch is it. Is it a rocker that you switch up till the antenna extends and then springs to the middle (off) position, then to lower the antenna you rocker it down to cut the power to the blue (trigger) wire on the antenna thus causing it to lower and then the rocker again springs back to the central (off position). I have been looking for correct type of switch. Past posts have confused me. From what I understand a continous new type of antenna needs constant juice to the red wire, a grounded ground wire, and the trigger wire (with power from the radio-constant while the radio is on then the antenna stays up, turning off the radio cuts the power. Other posts said you need a dpdt momentary off switch {a (on)off(on) or a on off on -which I do not know. But it would seem to me that the way to wire this is put in a new switch that simply turns a circuit on to raise the antenna or off to lower it. Again, I am no expert, but earlier posts claim that you can control the height of the antenna extension etc. using fance circuits and switches. It seem to me that would not be possible to freeze the antenna at a set height, in reality the only way to extent the antenna is to give the trigger CONSTANT power, without power it goes down (the red hot wire supplies the power to retract it).

I would love to know if I am correct and thus a single pole single throw rocker that has no momentary or central position is what is needed ( an on/off switch). Everyones input is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Jim

[Zs-ondabrain]

actually, this is an easy one. The switch I used is a "Momemtary Contact Switch" or Rocker style. Just like a power window switch or door lock switch. ON-OFF-ON. The reason for this type of switch in the S30 or 70' to 78' Z's is the fact that the Stock S30 antenna is NOT a "Fully Automatic" style, like you're used to on newer vehicles.

Replacement antenna's, that are fully Automatic, require a (-)ground, a constant (+) and a trigger wire (+)-constant to keep the antenna up and no power--to lower the antenna. It's not typical on the fully automatic antenna to be able to control antenna height.

However, the stock S30 antenna may be put at any height due to the manual pressing of the switch, which controls up and down..

Metra makes the 44-PW22 "Fully automatic antenna". It's a direct replacement for the stock Datsun Z antenna. Very little modification is needed. When using an after market radio (with a blue antenna activation wire) Just instal it, ground the black (-) wire, connect the red and blue wires to the stock wires. (red to the stock wire that provides power with the key on and blue to any of the other 2 stock wires, find that wire wire up front and connect it to the blue aftermarket radios antenna activation wire.

If using a stock radio, same as above applies. just connect the blue antenna wire to an ON-OFF SPST switch that has power from the ACC wire of the ignition.

Hope this helps a little. By the way, you don't give yourself enough credit. You actually explained everything very well. Most on this site are not able to do that when it comes to electrical.

Dave.