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This project actually started back in 2008 when I bought a set of folding mirrors only to realize they don't really work on LHD cars without some seat aerobics. At the time, I didn't have the means to do anything about it.

Fast forward to last year, I began the endeavor. I got as far as getting them designed, printed, and installed before BRG but still had to wire them in and get the controller board made up.

At first, I thought I could just "mirror" the bases. So I had a friend 3d scan them. Unfortunately, this didn't work as the actual mirror parts are also designed for RHD. So the angles and heights were still off.

I undertook my most complicated design yet. I learned a lot about solid works lol. I ended up designing them from scratch. Had to also run a ton of test prints to get the angles and mounting surface to match the door skin. I started by modeling both skins using a gauge, that got me close but not perfect.

Another random problem I had was since my car was repainted, the paint was flaking around the mirror base. The shape of the base was different enough so you could see it. So I expanded the base to cover it up. Most cars would have a ton of dirt staining even if they weren't repainted.

More complexity...
The base/door interface is a softer plastic so the mate doesn't have to be perfect and adds a bit of cushion. I also designed these and even added drain holes that don't just drain into the door hole. I used black nylon for this. What a problematic material to print!

And more...
Since I am twisting the bases, there are a couple problems. It's now hard to get to the screws so installation is a pain with a special sequence and using hex socket bolts installed with ball end keys.

More...
If I twisted the bases the full amount, the mirrors now looked funny. One sticking in too far the other too far out. So I split the difference by angleing the mirror glass with spacers.

TTWWP!

Here's an overlay of the problem.



An early model of the door skin, nylon interface, and adapter.



Angled spacer for mirror glass



Early test piece



Interface test, showing how it doesn't cover the same edge as the stock bases.



Nylon base















Collection of test prints

Dude. I have always wanted folding mirrors!


Coop

Power folding mirrors are awesome I have them on my Sequoia and they make walking around it in the garage way easier!

Coop wrote:Dude. I have always wanted folding mirrors!

I have a set I wouldn't mind getting rid of :suspect2:

[quote=""Jeff V.""]I have a set I wouldn't mind getting rid of :suspect2: [/quote]

Oh yeah!!!! You got the controller as well?

Toni, how much those adapter gonna cost me, or the file and I can print a set?


Coop

I've got the mirrors and a switch out of an FTO. You'd still need the controller, but that's common to a few overseas cars. It doesn't have to come out of a 3S.

Damn. Nice work

Yea, nice job. How much are these?

I was just thinking of a different problem that 3D printing won't solve. Passenger side glass is convex. So you'd end up with a weird view on your driver's side. Unless I'm wrong and the US glass swaps in.

[quote=""DCIV""]Oh yeah!!!! You got the controller as well?

Toni, how much those adapter gonna cost me, or the file and I can print a set?

Coop[/quote]

[quote=""ChargerX3""]Yea, nice job. How much are these?[/quote]

Not sure if I'll be making them to sell yet. Still need to do some real road testing with them.

[quote=""Jeff V.""]I've got the mirrors and a switch out of an FTO. You'd still need the controller, but that's common to a few overseas cars. It doesn't have to come out of a 3S.[/quote]

You can actually use any hbridge controller if you wanted. Or even a basic DPDT switch to manually move them. Or switches and relay combo.

You can't "over turn" the motors, once they get to the end, they mechanically click and stop. It stops taking current I assume through some diode magicary. Then you just reverse it.

[quote=""Jeff V.""]I was just thinking of a different problem that 3D printing won't solve. Passenger side glass is convex. So you'd end up with a weird view on your driver's side. Unless I'm wrong and the US glass swaps in.[/quote]

Aaron pointed that out last year. The mirrors I have are both flat. So the weirdness is not having the advantage to see more on the passenger's side.

The advantage is objects appear as they appear