Modifications and Tweaks

Fastnf said:
I have a leased Kona instead of soldering you could used a double run tap connector which could then be easily removed at the end of the lease leaving little evidence of the modification.
Her is a link to these types of connectors if your not familiar with them. They are very common at auto parts stores for connecting trailer wiring.
https://smile.amazon.com/MUYI-Electrical-0-5-1-0mm²-Connector-0-75x1-26in/dp/B01A814ZWY/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=double+run+tap&qid=1596840520&sr=8-3
Click to expand...
I am kind of "old school" when it applies to these things, but a great suggestion if no fine tipped 40 Watt soldering iron is handy.
 
Congrats! You must be the first in the world to do this mod. You've raised a thought though, you could withdraw the socket from the plug and find a short piece of solid wire to make a pin that fits the socket size and solder to that wire instead, adding shrink tube or tape over the whole thing. That way (assuming you didn't drill a hole for the pushbutton) you could revert the mod back to stock if needed.
It's such a convenience to be able to switch VESS on the fly I almost wish the button was on the steering wheel.
 
Not sure why all you guys are so obsessive about this VESS. I barely hear mine. Just today actually, was backing out of a parking space, and when I put it into reverse and looked back, I saw a guy walking behind and suddenly stop, and then smile at me as I backed out. He obviously appreciated it. My windows are almost always closed, though, with summer heat and A/C, and too cold in the winter.
 
KiwiME said:
Congrats! You must be the first in the world to do this mod. You've raised a thought though, you could withdraw the socket from the plug and find a short piece of solid wire to make a pin that fits the socket size and solder to that wire instead, adding shrink tube or tape over the whole thing. That way (assuming you didn't drill a hole for the pushbutton) you could revert the mod back to stock if needed.
It's such a convenience to be able to switch VESS on the fly I almost wish the button was on the steering wheel.
Click to expand...
I thought of that, and I do have a pin remover (and crimper) for those DB25 connectors which probably would have fit.
Being the first I was playing it safe and I do look forward to others modifying the procedure to make it better and easier.
More than likely the wire could even be cut off close to the connector and just spliced through to the VESS box as it probably doesn't wind up on a trace on the button circuit board. I was going to ask Hobbit that very question when he did this:
http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/ev/tearing.html
but I was too late.:(
 
What I might be interested in is some different sound options that could be loaded into your HU for the VESS. I liked the locomotive sound that one guy had rigged up. Should be good for a few laughs in a parking lot...
 
R P said:
Not sure why all you guys are so obsessive about this VESS. I barely hear mine. Just today actually, was backing out of a parking space, and when I put it into reverse and looked back, I saw a guy walking behind and suddenly stop, and then smile at me as I backed out. He obviously appreciated it. My windows are almost always closed, though, with summer heat and A/C, and too cold in the winter.
Click to expand...
That is the point of the mod. When it is safe, it is nice to listen for any sounds you may need to hear without the VESS attempting to mask it and my intent is it should only be used for this purpose.
There have been times when I sure wished I had the sound after pulling the plug on the front of the car, as more than a few have posted here that is what was done - this a meant to be a better alternative.
 
R P said:
What I might be interested in is some different sound options that could be loaded into your HU for the VESS. I liked the locomotive sound that one guy had rigged up.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately the evidence indicates that the sound is generated wholly within the VESS speaker unit. The VESS receives vehicle speed info over CAN and generates the programmed sound, perhaps like a MIDI. You would need to design and fabricate the entire assembly, including a weather-resistant speaker that can cover the audio range required by the noise you choose. For an ICE sound like a V8 rumble a marine-type subwoofer might do the trick, if it will fit.
 
electriceddy said:
Next find a good ground to connect the lead off the other side of the switch - I chose a handy screw holding some module close to the area.
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If one wants to keep things neat, could the ground wire be run back to the black wire on the connector to the switch assembly? That would make more sense if using tap connectors; soldering another wire would be tedious.
 
Certainly ..., the idea of using a chassis ground was just to avoid disturbing a second wire.
 
For the VESS, I am sure you could find the official switch online somewhere and install it where it normally would go in the European models.
 
It's a single part with specific switches to suit the version and market rather than an assembly where the individual components can be changed. You would have to match what you have now and just add the VESS. No one has cracked that puzzle so far and I doubt anyone ever will. The EU versions have a headlight level adjuster and some (like mine) do not have the HUD, nevermind that my car is RHD and so it curves as you see in the photo. It's so much easier to just add a simple button somewhere else.

IMG_2524.webp
 
KiwiME said:
Congrats! You must be the first in the world to do this mod. You've raised a thought though, you could withdraw the socket from the plug and find a short piece of solid wire to make a pin that fits the socket size and solder to that wire instead, adding shrink tube or tape over the whole thing. That way (assuming you didn't drill a hole for the pushbutton) you could revert the mod back to stock if needed.
It's such a convenience to be able to switch VESS on the fly I almost wish the button was on the steering wheel.
Click to expand...
Recently , with COVID19 jail easing. I heard a newer Model 3 with VESS.It's so much more subtle,less annoying than the Kona electric's.I find ours creepy,too loud.
@Anaglypta ,the auto tilt mirrors when reversing,lane follow assist,plus VESS on/off switch that's exactly what North America should have also been given!
 
ehatch said:
Recently , with COVID19 jail easing. I heard a newer Model 3 with VESS.It's so much more subtle,less annoying than the Kona electric's.I find ours creepy,too loud.
@Anaglypta ,the auto tilt mirrors when reversing,lane follow assist,plus VESS on/off switch that's exactly what North America should have also been given!
Click to expand...
Lane follow assist? I do have that.
 
ehatch said:
LFA centers the car automatically. LKA doesn't,it will wobble.North America Kona electric doesn't have it,does your U.S.spec.show LFA?
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The setting for LFA - as it is called Europe etc, is on the dash cluster menu... User settings/ Driver assistance/ Lane safety / Active LKA (Lane keep assist).
Regular LKA (c/w wobble) is right below it and you may choose one or the other.
You may also disconnect the Lane keep assist (whichever function) by pushing a button on the switch pad as shown above.
 
electriceddy said:
The setting for LFA - as it is called Europe etc, is on the dash cluster menu... User settings/ Driver assistance/ Lane safety / Active LKA (Lane keep assist).
Regular LKA (c/w wobble) is right below it and you may choose one or the other.
You may also disconnect the Lane keep assist (whichever function) by pushing a button on the switch pad as shown above.
Click to expand...
Lane keep assist doesn't wobble here.
 
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