I have had this NOS remote bottle valve for years. I had it on the car for awhile, the only issue is it gets HOT when used. I know I could use a momentary switch to open/close the valve, but I’d rather not have the interior of my car look like a airplane cockpit with multiple switches. What I would like is to build a simple circuit that would take a constant on signal ( as in flipping on the Master Arming switch) and cycle the bottle valve open, then shut off. Turning off the arming switch would momentarily apply voltage to the closing coil of the bottle valve, then shut off. As a safety measure, I think it would be a good idea to have the bottle valve automatically cycle off when turning off the key.


I have done some reading and watched lots of YouTube videos on timer circuits. Most use a capacitor and a transistor to provide a delay. Others using a 555 timer. I haven’t found a example that will do exactly what I’m wanting. While I’m comfortable with basic automotive electrical work, automotive ELECTRONICS I’d like to learn more. I’m sure I could probably buy something to do what I’m wanting, but where is the fun in that?


This is the opener I have, and the wiring diagram.

 

While you could certainly use a Raspberry PI computer and program it any way you like, that would be a much more complicated solution than a 555 timer or a capacitor, resistor & transistor. Time delays don't come free. How long of a delay is required to open/close the valve? How much current is drawn by the coils in the valve? These parameters are needed to design a delay circuit that will work properly without over-stressing the components.

A much simpler solution would be to use a momentary SPDT switch that returns to center (OFF) position when released.

 

A second or so is all it takes to switch the valve. I know I could use a momentary switch, but since I have the arming switch hidden, and the EFI actually controls the nitrous activation, I don’t really want any more switches to fool with. I’m guessing the coil windings pull a few amps, I’ll measure later when I get home from work. Thanks.

 

Would this work? You could set it up with your existing switch.

 

One of these could also work. Wiring shouldn't be too difficult. Although watch that re-entry.

 

Chip:
Is that a flux capacitor?

 

He'd need TWO of those, one for the OPEN coil, and another for the CLOSE coil. This means you'd have 2 push-button switches, one for ON and another for OFF (or replace these with a single momentary DPDT switch w/ center off). I'm not sure how the OP is expecting to add this functionality without adding another switch of some sort to implement it. I suppose you could eliminate the remote valve entirely and manually open / close the bottle valve, but it'd be tough to do that from the driver's seat unless the bottle was within arm's reach.

I'm sure there is a clever way to utilize 2 time-delay units like this and connect them to the ARM switch (I'm assuming this is a SPST switch) to automatically cycle the valve open/closed, will have to think about this for a minute or two. It probably depends on how those time delays behave when the pushbutton is held (does the delay still time-out, or does the delay get initiated when the pushbutton is released?). You'd probably have to replace the ARM switch with a DPDT switch, one pole used for the ARM function, and the other pole used to trigger the delays. If the delays time-out without releasing the pushbutton, this would definitely work. However, an additional relay would be needed to automatically cycle the valve closed when the ignition is turned off.

 

Yup. That's why you need to watch that re-entry.

 

This is the closest I have found to doing what I want, and be within my limited electronics knowledge. Unfortunately, it appears this circuit doesn’t begin the delay until voltage is removed.

I have a simple DPDT switch for my master arming. A single pole switch would obviously also work, but I had that switch so I used it. I have had nitrous on my car for 20 years and have managed just fine without the remote bottle valve, but once again, I have the valve and thought I might try to use it. I don’t want a bunch of buttons to control all this stuff. I’m sure there is a way to do exactly what I’m wanting, just not sure how to go about it. Thanks!

 

If you have enough patience, I can probably make a box for you.

Otherwise, I'm mostly certain you can make a unit using two of these:

First one: turn on valve
wire IGN1 to DC+, CH1 and COM
ground DC-
wire red line on valve to NO
set mode to Function 2, set delay to 5 seconds

Second one: turn off valve (here it's a bit unclear how the timer will react, but pretty good chance this will work)
wire IGN1 to CH1
wire B+ to DC+ and COM
wire black line on valve to NO
set mode to Function 15, set T1 to 2 seconds, T2 to 5 seconds
In theory, since IGN1 stays hot, this will keep looping through the "t1" time on delay, keeping the relay off, until IGN1 is removed. So after IGN1 has been off for 2 seconds, the relay will energize for 5 seconds.
You can test it by just hooking it up and seeing if it keeps clacking a bunch. If it does, then it doesn't monitor the trigger the way I'm hoping it does.


Alternatively, you can use two of these:
I've used these little guys several times. Super good stuff, but programming is a bit fun.
Very similar to the above. Both use mode 7, both with t1 something like 2 seconds, t5 something like 5 seconds. The module that controls the closing will be set to a LOW trigger.

 

While doing some additional research I found the second timer option you suggested. I think I’m going to try them and see what happens. Thanks!