Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Air ride test run #3, smashing success!
| Air ride test run #3, smashing success! [message #257466] |
Fri, 01 August 2014 16:04  |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I'm closing in on this ride height controller, Just got back from my third test run and it went very well. I started out in manual mode, I raised the rear by turning the height adjustment all the way, I didn't move the tilt adjustment as I wanted the whole rear level just higher, and waited for the LEDs to go off signaling ride height achieved.
With the rear jacked up I cleared the driveway exit easily. Then I flipped the mode switch to auto and I could hear the controller dumping air to get to the calibrated ( OK hard coded at this time ) travel height.
I put it in drive and off we went, it got settled pretty fast and while it did adjust a few times in the 1/2 hour drive, it did really good. I think this is going to work. It IS kinda funny being able to hear the valves work compared to the power level silence. but being and Engineer I wouldn't want it any other way.
When I got home, I flipped the mode switch back to manual and backed into the driveway. I killed the engine and got out.
I like to set my coach down on 4x4s under the bogies, the driveway slant makes it almost level this way.
I put the 4x4 under and pressed the right down button on my RF remote and watched the right side squat onto my perfectly placed 4x4. Then over to the left side and the left down remote button did it's magic there too.
Oh wait the 4x4 wasn't placed so well on the left side, so lift it with the up button, fix the 4x4 and set er down again.
I cant wait to go camping ant try out the horizon level feature...
Lots of work left, but the basic POC is working and has a whole lot of potential
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
|
|
|
|
| Re: Air ride test run #3, smashing success! [message #257485 is a reply to message #257466] |
Fri, 01 August 2014 19:56  |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Keith, I was at the Street Rod Nationals yesterday and one of the vendors had a neat display. I think it is Air Ride Technologies but not positive. They had an air bag that looked to be the same as the ones in the quad bag setup, and a electronic controller/sensor that was similar in function to our ride height controls. It was a 'helper' spring for towing and I assume it would use the sensor to keep the vehicle at the desired height. I didn't think much about it until we were headed home but then it occurred to me that this is could be an electronic version of the stock ELII with remote control.
What is it that you have?
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
|
|
|
|
| Re: Air ride test run #3, smashing success! [message #257493 is a reply to message #257485] |
Fri, 01 August 2014 21:18 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Kerry
I have my own creation. custom board and all. I don't like anything thats out there.
Too expensive, and really not designed well IMHO.
They do use ride height sensors, as do I, but they will tell you nothing about accuracy or update rates. there is only one mode and some presets.
they also usually have huge fancy LCD displays that look all techie and fancy but it's all bark and no bite.
They don't, that I've seen, allow height and tilt adjustments, like for camping, and travel mode for like travel...
the interface is just 2 knobs and a switch. one knob controls up and down, the other tilts the coach side to side.
The switch selects from manual, travel and camp (horizon level)
Mine will also horizon level, meaning auto level at the camp site like the big class A's
My other air ride project is a '29 dodge and I do not want a big display in it so I was making one anyway.
Besides I write this stuff for a living, this is fun 
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Air ride test run #3, smashing success! [message #257513 is a reply to message #257496] |
Sat, 02 August 2014 07:47 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Kerry Pinkerton wrote on Fri, 01 August 2014 21:48Are you coming to GMCMI Wisconsin?
I'm planning on it.
will I see yuo there?
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Air ride test run #3, smashing success! [message #257529 is a reply to message #257466] |
Sat, 02 August 2014 11:43 |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Keith, while you're fiddling with all the details, you might want to put in a third mode... one that levels the coach, but leaves an extra 1/2" or so of height in the rear. That way, you select that mode, get out and put blocks / 4x4s or whatever under your bogies, then air the system down (perhaps to the "full level" mode which will leave the most air in the bags, but still leave the coach blocked so it doesn't bounce when you walk around).
This is the process I use when I'm going to be parked for more than an evening, but I do it manually with a bubble level and my stock EL system. Being able to do it automatically is no doubt overkill, but being an engineering type myownself, I fully subscribe to the "too much is never enough" mantra.
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Air ride test run #3, smashing success! [message #257695 is a reply to message #257529] |
Sun, 03 August 2014 21:05 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
habbyguy wrote on Sat, 02 August 2014 11:43Keith, while you're fiddling with all the details, you might want to put in a third mode... one that levels the coach, but leaves an extra 1/2" or so of height in the rear. That way, you select that mode, get out and put blocks / 4x4s or whatever under your bogies, then air the system down (perhaps to the "full level" mode which will leave the most air in the bags, but still leave the coach blocked so it doesn't bounce when you walk around).
This is the process I use when I'm going to be parked for more than an evening, but I do it manually with a bubble level and my stock EL system. Being able to do it automatically is no doubt overkill, but being an engineering type myownself, I fully subscribe to the "too much is never enough" mantra.
I'd think you would just let it level, measure the space under the bogies and make your block that height.
Then raise the coach in manual, slip the blocks in and set er down.
you would be responsible to calculate soil the compaction compensation however
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
|
|
|
|
Goto Forum:
Current Time: Tue Nov 19 23:33:19 CST 2024
Total time taken to generate the page: 0.01988 seconds
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
