I've got a parking sensor kit I'd like to fit to the 110 as I'm occasionally required to do the school run in it and that can be a squeeze in the Mini. All the sensors feed back to a box which is basically the brain of the whole thing, this then has cables that come out to each of the 8 sensors and another to the little display.

My question is, where should I place the little box?

At first I was going to put it behind the dashboard but that's a lot of cables to try and get through the bulkhead just for them to join the big mess behind the desk. Then I thought about under the driver's seat (it's a TD5) except I really don't want to make holes in that as it's just another chance for water to get in. ThenI thought under the bonnet, in the top left near the brake cylinder but ChatGPT said that was a dumb idea due to heat and water getting there. It then suggested putting it inside the unit that houses the brake lights as I'll need to plumb it into the reverse light anyway but I don't think there's anything in there that gets electricity until the lights come on.

Anyone got any better ideas?

You asked Chat GPT ???

So your car is a left hooker (left hand drive) ?
I presume that under the drivers seat is the battery box ?

This would seem (to me) to be the best place.
You can get waterproof cable entry glands ...
Amazon product

or just buy these...

Then run the cables in sleeving (mesh or convaluted) to the back (along the top of the chassis) and up into the unit that houses the brake light cables etc. Distribute to your sensors, again in sleeving) from there.
If there is no entry again you can use the gland ...

Use cable ties to attach the sleeving securely.
Front sensors can run along the chassis and up, along the top of the inner wings to the front sensors , and across the bulkhead. through the rubber cable entry point, into the space behind the binnacle (dash) for the little display ...

I usually ask ChatGPT, you don't have to listen but it often raises points I hadn't thought about.

It's RHD actually, I was going to put it in with the fuses since there's lots of electricity and lots of space (TD5). I'd looked at the waterproof cable glands but I have eight 3mm cables to get in there, plus the display cable to get out. I was looking for some kind of cable gland to handle all that but wasn't having much look. Maybe I should just keep looking. I've seen a few Defenders around with parking sensors and I was wondering what everyone else was doing.

If it all comes together I'll try to post back with my setup.

tryhttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382920961972

<hijack> Two problems with Chat GTP et al. Firstly, it has no skin in the game. Secondly, its a bull****ter. Unlike liars who care about the truth and knowingly suppress it, bull****ters dont care what is right or wrong just a long as you believe what they tell you. Having no skin in the game means any losses dont impact AI. Based on that, use with caution. Chat GTP output for a wiring diagram for split charging attached...</hijack>.

The seat box seems a good starting point. Its central and has the space. If worried about water ingress an 8 way bulkhead fitting like this one: 8 Way Bulkhead

Twas a long time ago and I can't do links cos I blagged the stuff off an electrical installation friend who has since died. He supplied me with plastic flexi conduit , different sizes but the stuff I used mainly was around 10/15mm from memory. Suitable waterproof glands were supplied and I used this stuff everywhere. From the battery box to the underneath toolbox (1985 110) from there to the B posts for extra interior lamps, to the cubby box for a lamp in there and switches for the electric front windows ,to the rear for work lamps, rev sensors, to the front for relays to the headlamps etc. Try searching for flexible conduit and glands. I did this over 20 years ago and still have the truck now.

This sort of stuff as an example

TD5 might be different but I think the TDI had a purple wire to the rear light clusters that was permanent live worth a look

Twinnie said:

I usually ask ChatGPT, you don't have to listen but it often raises points I hadn't thought about.

It's RHD actually, <snip>

Click to expand...

Ah, apologies I was throw when you said ... "Then I thought under the bonnet, in the top left near the brake cylinder" ... which I assume you meant to mean that the brake servo was on the left so that would be a left hand drive car, as the pedals and the steering wheel is over there too ...

Good luck with you quest/project

Surely it all depends on how long the cables are for the sensors.
I wouldn't bother with a display, just use the sound of the beeps. I would be interested in seeing how you attach the sensors though.