Airbag level gauge idea

[tonythezeek]

Has anyone thought of using a gyro indicator from an aircraft (along side bag pressure gauges) to see if their truck is level (all four corners) and ride height? Thinking really hard about taking an old school approach with the interior and want that fighter/bomber look inside.

From what I figure, these aircraft gauges come in two styles; mechanical and electric. I think the mechanical gauges work off vacuum so that would be a little more tricky to set up and not as accurate as I'd like them to be so I'm thinking the electrical route might be a bit easier and have the desired effect.

...thoughts?

[creep]

I actually have one from a 1950s plane that I was planning to put in my van but now that I have my 63 it's going in it instead.

[kieth]

The level gauge is a neat idea but why don't you air ride guys take a lesson from the Large trucks on the road today. They have a leveling valve that can be adjusted so they go to a predetermined height. One can add a dump valve that blows all the air out of the bags but keeps the air in the air tank. This way when you start the vehicle and turn off the dump valves the vehicle returns to the original pre determined ride height without having to have all those gauges .........?? Kieth

If you have plenty of air available you can choose a air ride valve that exhausts air to soften the ride as you drive or you can choose a leveling valve that is a closed type system. I have just never figured out why everyone spends money on those complicated air systems when there is proven manual technology that goes 100,000s of thousands of miles with out a problem ?


ps when a airplane is in the air level is level,,,,,,,,,,,when a truck is sitting on the ground----the ground may not be level. Kieth

[jjjmm56]

I use the bubble level app on my cell phone, When laying it flat it is a bullseye level. I set it on my center console,

[craig@ridetech.com]

Originally Posted by kieth

The level gauge is a neat idea but why don't you air ride guys take a lesson from the Large trucks on the road today. They have a leveling valve that can be adjusted so they go to a predetermined height. One can add a dump valve that blows all the air out of the bags but keeps the air in the air tank. This way when you start the vehicle and turn off the dump valves the vehicle returns to the original pre determined ride height without having to have all those gauges .........?? Kieth

If you have plenty of air available you can choose a air ride valve that exhausts air to soften the ride as you drive or you can choose a leveling valve that is a closed type system. I have just never figured out why everyone spends money on those complicated air systems when there is proven manual technology that goes 100,000s of thousands of miles with out a problem ?

Keith, you have a very valid point, but the reason why we do not go that route is that nearly all the vehicles that run an aftermarket air suspension are using a stand alone electric air pump. These pumps do not have the output that an engine driven compressor on a semi does. They would have a hard time being able to keep up with the constant usage of air from the leveling valve. It also eliminates the ability to make minor changes in air pressure that allows you to fine tune your suspension to your driving style.

[kieth]

Thanks for the explanation but as I mentioned one can get the manual valves that do not let air escape (you can use a air tank as a accumulator) to soften the ride and on 2 rear bags the compressors just have to keep 100psi in the supply tank and then the air is added to the bags by the leveling valve as needed. If you wanted you could use 2 compressors and just have one tank........If everything is plumbed properly then it really should not be a problem......but I will bow to your superior knowledge of air ride on our trucks. Thanks for the information Kieth

[craig@ridetech.com]

Originally Posted by kieth

Thanks for the explanation but as I mentioned one can get the manual valves that do not let air escape (you can use a air tank as a accumulator) to soften the ride and on 2 rear bags the compressors just have to keep 100psi in the supply tank and then the air is added to the bags by the leveling valve as needed. If you wanted you could use 2 compressors and just have one tank........If everything is plumbed properly then it really should not be a problem......but I will bow to your superior knowledge of air ride on our trucks. Thanks for the information Kieth

It's all good man. I just wanted to let you guys know why we do it the way we do. I'm a firm believer in doing it the way that makes sense for you and that doesn't always mean buying my stuff.

[tonythezeek]

this is good info in regards to planning the layout/pieces for an airbag setup but still curious on how one would go about wiring something like this up. The intention is to use the aircraft gyro gauge as more of a "level" (left v right) kinda like how the gentleman is using the bubble level app on his phone (btw, very innovative) as well as measure ride height. I don't think this idea should be the only setup (pressure gauges would be needed) but more or less an aesthetic yet functional indicator.

[tonythezeek]

So I think I might have come up with an idea after doing a bit of research. As mentioned earlier, those gauges come in two flavors; mechanical (uses vacuum) and electrical. I've checked out ebay and found a couple of gauges (electric) round about the $30 range. ...but then two questions entered my mind... most are sold "as is" meaning that the probably wont/don't work and I'm not sure as to what voltage would be needed to make the gauge work properly. This made me look for an alternative/backup.

As it turns out, there are some after market companies that sell gauges/kits for enthusiast. Some of the gauges were geared towards either people who REALLY like PC based flying simulators or people who wanted to build an actual full scale flying simulator (there was one set up that made my mouth drop). But like most things, cool comes with a cost... but $500-600 for a gauge that still required modifying and additional parts? I don't think so. Then I stumbled across something interesting... a build sheet for one the kits. Pay dirt!

So, it looks like a simple left/right and up/down can be achieved with two servos. But what can I use for the brain of the gauge and sending units? Here is where it gets reaaaally geeky. I remembered that I like reading this zine called "Make" online and the had featured two types of micro controller boards. The price of these boards ranges in the tune of $40-60 and are programmable! Also, I found a plethora of sensors that would work as sending units. The two sensors that got my attention are a dual-axis accelerometer and a ultrasonic range finder which will be used for tilt/pitch and altitude, respectively.

...put in an order for the parts today... now, we wait...

[Hottrucks]

Originally Posted by kieth

The level gauge is a neat idea but why don't you air ride guys take a lesson from the Large trucks on the road today. They have a leveling valve that can be adjusted so they go to a predetermined height. One can add a dump valve that blows all the air out of the bags but keeps the air in the air tank. This way when you start the vehicle and turn off the dump valves the vehicle returns to the original pre determined ride height without having to have all those gauges .........?? Kieth
Kieth

First off I dont want to step on Craigs toes and this ^^^ is mostly true....I don't have the time right now but do some research on TAG or PUsher axles on dump/log trucks.....
I have a pusher on my Dump truck..... I can adjust my axles presure ( depending on the weight) it uses a vavle like you see on the side of your compressor...then next to it is a toggle switch that allows me to dump the air out and pick the axle up ( or lay out for us pick up guys) flip the switch the other way and it fills the bags to what ever its set to (ride height)

take a look at this maybe it will help

http://www.tpub.com/content/trucktra...273-20_891.htm

[tonythezeek]

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

First off I dont want to step on Craigs toes and this ^^^ is mostly true....I don't have the time right now but do some research on TAG or PUsher axles on dump/log trucks.....
I have a pusher on my Dump truck..... I can adjust my axles presure ( depending on the weight) it uses a vavle like you see on the side of your compressor...then next to it is a toggle switch that allows me to dump the air out and pick the axle up ( or lay out for us pick up guys) flip the switch the other way and it fills the bags to what ever its set to (ride height)

take a look at this maybe it will help

http://www.tpub.com/content/trucktra...273-20_891.htm

I think the thread may have gotten lost focusing on system control vs indicator. Not really looking to "adjust" the pressure of the system at this point, looking to display where/how the truck is sitting (height, pitch and roll i guess).

It may have been my fault because the thread's title might be a bit misleading but what I was going after is putting this (or something like it)

in a 62 truck.

The overall theme I'm trying to accomplish is a World War II fighter plane or bomber interior complete with functional gauges kinda like what is here:

but these are for the basic controls (oil, water, volts, speed, ect..). There isnt really anything out there for airbags that I thought kept the theme that I was going for... except for looking at the real gauges from a plane and using them instead.

[broey]

um, it takes about a week of driving a bagged vehicle to adjust to it. but after that, you can pretty much tell when you are driving level. its not that big of a deal.

[tonythezeek]

Originally Posted by broey

um, it takes about a week of driving a bagged vehicle to adjust to it. but after that, you can pretty much tell when you are driving level. its not that big of a deal.

true, but where is the fun in that? After all, don't we do the things we do as a reflection of ingenuity and individuality?

[broey]

IMO, the less stuff you add the cleaner it looks in the end. A dash full of random parts is gonna look silly.

[tonythezeek]

Agreed! BUT what I am looking to accomplish is an old WWII style airplane interior.. seats, functional gauges and a weathered, battle torn look. I think you are spot of if the parts were just in there to be parts but I want them to work as if one was flying a 62 Chevy instead of driving one lol.

[JNJchev77]

Originally Posted by tonythezeek

Agreed! BUT what I am looking to accomplish is an old WWII style airplane interior.. seats, functional gauges and a weathered, battle torn look. I think you are spot of if the parts were just in there to be parts but I want them to work as if one was flying a 62 Chevy instead of driving one lol.

I think you have a cool idea~ Go with it man, it can still look clean with what you are thinking and stay within the theme of the truck!

[Shane]

build it the way YOU want it built and ignore the haters. most are full of childish talk and wouldn't know a crescent wrench from a crescent roll.

p.s. I think your idea is bad ass ... I even did research on the aircraft-style gages you posted in the pic at one time for a project ... boy howdee they are proud of those dudes.

[broey]

Originally Posted by Shane

build it the way YOU want it built and ignore the haters. most are full of childish talk and wouldn't know a crescent wrench from a crescent roll.

p.s. I think your idea is bad ass ... I even did research on the aircraft-style gages you posted in the pic at one time for a project ... boy howdee they are proud of those dudes.

Having a different opinion doesn't make me a hater. Am I not entitled to my opinion? I turn into a hater with no knowledge of tools because I personally think a dash full of aftermaket gauges wont look right? Come on guy, Im just saying what I think.

[Shane]

tell ya what, you post up some pics of your ideas and we'll tell you what we think.

deal?

[smashingchuck]

Surprised it hasn't dawned on anyone that the streets we drive on aren't level...kinda makes a bubble level useless....
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[kieth]

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

First off I dont want to step on Craigs toes and this ^^^ is mostly true....I don't have the time right now but do some research on TAG or PUsher axles on dump/log trucks.....
I have a pusher on my Dump truck..... I can adjust my axles presure ( depending on the weight) it uses a vavle like you see on the side of your compressor...then next to it is a toggle switch that allows me to dump the air out and pick the axle up ( or lay out for us pick up guys) flip the switch the other way and it fills the bags to what ever its set to (ride height)

take a look at this maybe it will help

http://www.tpub.com/content/trucktra...273-20_891.htm

I have built 2300 dump trucks and designed and installed lots aux axles, that is where my knowledge comes from, you are correct, and one can set those axles by pressure to get the correct ride height. I was really talking about a valve that controls your ride height (also allows dumping) on your truck if it has air ride suspension. By presetting the air ride to a height (a manual adjustment) then one can have 120psi in a air tank and the air valve witl adjust the height of the truck according to is manual setting. You will have to have a compressor that can keep the pressure in the tank at 100psi but they really do not eat up enough air to have to have a huge compressor. If you had a large enough air tank one could get by with a relatively small compressor. A large truck runs through a lot of air and has a full time compressor, Our trucks are small enough that the air used would not take a huge compressor. I am going to try it to see what happens.

[broey]

Originally Posted by Shane

tell ya what, you post up some pics of your ideas and we'll tell you what we think.

deal?

What are you talking about? Now I have to have my own ideas to battle an existing idea? Do you really not have a concept of open forum conversation? Look, someone gave an idea about gauges, I gave a response to it. I even started the response with IMO (in my opinion). I didn't call them names, or suggest they cannot decipher between different tools. Just an opinion. I don't have a different idea to suggest for the gauges just what I thought of them.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Shane]

[tonythezeek]

Wow, I didn't mean for this thread to turn into a battleground although I do appreciate the support. I also appreciate skeptical and opposing views because sometime they are valid. The reason I feel that way is because sometimes something critical might be overlooked or someone might have a bit more expertise in a given area. Any and all information (either opinion or fact) has value and should be taken into consideration. With that being said, we should also challenge those views. If we all were held hostage by skeptics and opposition, things like sailing across the ocean, flight or going to the moon would not have been made possible today (feeling a bit geeky again, saw the last shuttle launch).

For those that are interested, I guess I'll be doing a write up here as this will be an adventure and a learning experience. I'm sure something like this has been done but really haven't seen anyone who has a walk through/write up.

If there are any moderators peeking in on this thread, I'm thinking this probably belongs more in the Electrical section as I don't think it fully applies to the Suspension section.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by tonythezeek

Wow, I didn't mean for this thread to turn into a battleground....

Your fine with your post. The others, not so much.