M1078 Remote Spotlights....

[Littlejacy]

Hey all! Has anyone used a COBO Remote Spotlight on their M1078?? Yes, I bought one off Ebay, brand new. Guy gave me instructions, and I believe I have the necessary supplies. However, has anyone DONE this before, and doeas anyone have a detailed presentation of HOW they wired it. The instructions all sound good until you start looking at everything, lol!
Is there a preferred system, such as an ibis tek system? My whole thing is this: This COBO light has a 6-pin amphenol (military) connector that if I could, would like to just wire up to a like-connected controller. Does one exist? Would/could it wire up to a Ibis-Tek controller that I find on Ebay??

 

[ZiggyO]

I will hazard a guess that you probably bought that light from me......... There is a standalone controller but it is so rare that I have only seen one in my 22+ years of playing with this stuff-- most of the controls were integrated into the armored vehicles that these would have been used on....... That being said, it is fairly straightforward to wire if you break it down--vertical axis is controlled by a dc motor-- which direction it goes is a function of reversing polarity, the horizontal axis is the same........the simplest control circuit then would be 2 momentary dpdt switches, one for each axis. If you are a little more tech minded, you can make use of a solid state h-bridge to achieve the same effect. Since most common joysticks are single pole microswitches at each axis point, you would need to use relays (or again a solid state H-bridge).

As to whether or not it would work with an ibistek control head, maybe-- you would have to look at how it is wired and possibly be ready to change the configuration to match.

I actually am working on a simple standalone joystick for these but it is way down on my list of stuff to do -- so far, I have drawn out a rough schematic and ordered some components that are collecting dust on my workbench.............

Z

 

[Littlejacy]

I will hazard a guess that you probably bought that light from me......... There is a standalone controller but it is so rare that I have only seen one in my 22+ years of playing with this stuff-- most of the controls were integrated into the armored vehicles that these would have been used on....... That being said, it is fairly straightforward to wire if you break it down--vertical axis is controlled by a dc motor-- which direction it goes is a function of reversing polarity, the horizontal axis is the same........the simplest control circuit then would be 2 momentary dpdt switches, one for each axis. If you are a little more tech minded, you can make use of a solid state h-bridge to achieve the same effect. Since most common joysticks are single pole microswitches at each axis point, you would need to use relays (or again a solid state H-bridge).

As to whether or not it would work with an ibistek control head, maybe-- you would have to look at how it is wired and possibly be ready to change the configuration to match.

I actually am working on a simple standalone joystick for these but it is way down on my list of stuff to do -- so far, I have drawn out a rough schematic and ordered some components that are collecting dust on my workbench.............

Z

Ha! You must be the one, lol! I'll tell ya, this light is absolutely sweet! I also saw the video on Youtube and thought, damn! that's what I need. I see your included schematic in the literature. Bear with me here, as I'm mechanically inclined, I'm new to this type of vehicle (which is actually kind of refreshing!).

1. From my 24+ I need to run a 15A fused lead to a switch....let's call it the "power" switch.

2. Jump two poles on DPDT switches and connect to the "power" switch. (+)

3. Jump two poles on DPDT switches and connect to the "power" switch. (-)

4. Two leads on first DPDT switch to corresponding wires on light harness for elevation.

5. Two leads on second DPDT switch to corresponding wires on light harness for traverse.

I am using a length of CAT5 cable as the included harness with the light is too short of course, plus well you guessed it, will not plug into anything on a M1078.
Are the two "power" wires (the two white wires) on the unit, connecting to the same power terminals on the DPDT switches? Or actually, just to the "power" switch I'd guess.
By the diagram, it doesn't appear that I am utilizing all 8 strands of CAT5. Am I misreading this?

 

[ZiggyO]

That is correct....... I just suggested in my original schematic using a cat 5 cable because it is the easiest thing that's off the shelf and plug-n-play....... If you have access to a crimping tool, and the plugs, you can make up your own cable as well........

Z

 

[Littlejacy]

That is correct....... I just suggested in my original schematic using a cat 5 cable because it is the easiest thing that's off the shelf and plug-n-play....... If you have access to a crimping tool, and the plugs, you can make up your own cable as well........

Z

Okay, too be sure: I can completely remove that factory harness (minus the two white power leads) and use my determined length of CAT5 cable?

 

[ZiggyO]

yes-- when pulling out the factory harness, you may have to use a small pick to pull back the springy clip part of the rj45 plug-- also, the two white wires are the power in-- they are held in place with screw clamp terminals-- you can replace these with any length you choose as well......

Z

 

[Littlejacy]

yes-- when pulling out the factory harness, you may have to use a small pick to pull back the springy clip part of the rj45 plug-- also, the two white wires are the power in-- they are held in place with screw clamp terminals-- you can replace these with any length you choose as well......

Z

Excellent!! Thank-you so much for taking the time to "spoon feed" me the information, can't wait to get this thing working!

 

[coachgeo]

Excellent!! Thank-you so much for taking the time to "spoon feed" me the information, can't wait to get this thing working!

how is your hook up going? I just bought several Ibis .... not sure if they are the same / similar or not.

Actually want to attach my side view cameras to two them as well. then one on cab and one on back (also with cameras.)

would like to be able to use remote movement WITHOUT light on too. (dont need except at night)

btw.... a video was mentioned..... you got link to this video? not finding it

 

[coachgeo]

....

I actually am working on a simple standalone joystick for these but it is way down on my list of stuff to do -- so far, I have drawn out a rough schematic and ordered some components that are collecting dust on my workbench.............

Z

any updates? did covid give you some time to play with this?

 

[ZiggyO]

Honestly, its so far down my list that I will be lucky to start playing with it again later this summer.......... (Then again, I am getting caught up on stuff due to the stay home orders, but I am also doing alot of stuff for family that is vulnerable).............

Z