Re: [DML] Door Openers

[DMCVegas@xxxx]

Granted while I have a 3rd party set of door openers installed, I can 
tell you so far what I've thought of mine, and both of the current 
designs available from the vendors offering both products. Although I 
will give a disclaimer that most of what I'm basing this off of (in 
the way of their products/designs) comes from what I've seen posted 
to the DML.

My car has 2-15 lb. solenoids installed to open the doors. After 20 
years of dust, and lack of lubrication, they have a difficult time 
opening. In fact, one isn't ever strong enough to open the drivers 
door. Actuators from what I've seen online have a pulling power of up 
to 35 lbs. These would be much more well suited to open the doors.

As for using existing wiring inside the doors, my only guess is that 
the feed intended for the side mirror heaters will be used. Now my 
car has a heavier gague wire installed for my solenoids, and it gets 
pretty warm as it is when it comes to opening the doors. The existing 
wires to be used are thinner. With the electrical problems my car has 
had in the past (inertia switch, idle speed motor, door lights, 
etc...), I don't fully trust these wires. It's nothing hereditary 
about DeLorean's per se, it's just that I don't trust these wires in 
my car. While you may not fish any wires with the other kit, you'll 
still have to cut and splice everything in one way or another. Also, 
on my car when you hit the button to pop the door open, the lights 
flicker, and the wires get hot. So they look to be pulling a pretty 
good load.

Running new wires for the door actuators shouldn't be a problem at 
all. It just appears to be a little more labour intensive in as you 
have to remove the headliners. And you have to fish the wires behind 
the trim panels in the back, and the hollow pillar of the doors. Some 
tape, a coat hanger, and a little patience, and you're all set.

Because of my existing set up, and the by personal choice from what 
I've seen so far, I would have to go with the kit from Darryl 
Tinnerstet. But before anyone makes a choice, a side by side 
comparison is really whats nessisary. Looking by the size of the 
wiring on the back of the actuators, you my be able to use that wire 
that's already in the door. Thus you may not even need to install 
additional wiring.

But make no mistake, niether kit appears to offer a simple plug and 
play solution. In either case, you will still need to invest some 
time and a good amount of work to get everything going on either kit. 
Wiring aside, you still need to mount the openers, and attach them to 
the bellcranks. And of course you'll need to lube the linkage. And an 
added item, I wouldn't think of installing either kit without first 
upgrading the central locking system. Wheather you upgrage the 
locking module per Technical Library instructions, or you buy a Lock 
Zilla it's up to you. If it's too late for one or both doors, plan on 
buying a new lock solenoid(s). Plus don't forget to re-tourque your 
doors, and (if nessisary) get new door struts for either system to 
work properly.

Anywho, untill someone actually gets one of these two venders door 
opening kits installed, or gets a hands-on comparison, nothing else 
can really be said. Before we can make a truly educated decision, we 
need to know all facts first. Pulling power, electrical load, weight, 
installation times, etc... And even other features or the systems 
themselves: alarms, engine kills, etc... Even then, I'd still like to 
know what's included with the kits.

I'm not knocking any one competitor, or vendor. I'm just trying to 
get a few more facts. And to keep things even sided for now.

-Robert
vin 6585



--- In dmcnews@xxxx, kayoong@xxxx wrote:
> Folks:
> 
> I have seen both products. The two are VERY different in designs 
and 
> installation and in their operations. One is like prime steak, the 
other is 
> like chuck steak. One is plug and play, the other is you must work 
to make 
> it work...
<SNIP>