Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Aerodynamics
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 12-03-2012, 09:55 PM   #111 (permalink)
Polymorphic Modder
 
SoobieOut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 307

2006 DaCivic Hybrid - '06 Honda Civic Hybrid
90 day: 45.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 188
Thanked 40 Times in 25 Posts
I applaude your project and innovation, However I wonder about the durablity of the coroplast at various angles of attack relative to the airflow.

One alternative is to use an aluminum damper from the HVAC industry.

A quick scan on Ebay I found one for $49.99.

Honeywell ZD18X6 Square Zone Damper 24 Vac 2 Wires 18x6x4 In | eBay

It may not meet your needs but there are many more dampers listed there.

Just a thought, I really like your design and concept so please don't think I am discarding your ideas in any way.

  Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to SoobieOut For This Useful Post:
a8ksh4 (12-05-2012), WesternStarSCR (12-04-2012)
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 12-04-2012, 06:43 AM   #112 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
AndrzejM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Poland
Posts: 840

Berta - '97 BMW 318 tds Compact
90 day: 62.03 mpg (US)

Charlie - '07 Citroen C4 Grand Picasso Exclusive
90 day: 37.58 mpg (US)

Corsa - '05 Opel Corsa C
90 day: 53.22 mpg (US)

Mruczek - '03 Audi A2
90 day: 60.61 mpg (US)
Thanks: 185
Thanked 167 Times in 117 Posts
I like your project, and I was thinking of building something similar. But I was planning to use lathes (I don't know the exact name for that) that you may use to mask gaps between two different floorings (see the pic). Those can be used easily with the rotating shaft, just glued to the spouting (again the naming ) at the bottom side. Made from aluminium are very light and strong so it can be used even for external grill blocking. These are comming in various sizes and colors, and it can be easily repainted to any color needed as well. Drawaback of this solution is that you have to use more of them to cover larger area, since these are mor narrow than your blinds fabricated of coroplast. But they will stick closer to the body so maybe it's not a drawaback at all. Depends on what type of grill shutter you are planning to build, internal or external. I was thinking of building that to block lower grill in Berta, in opened position it looks almost like a factory grill, in closed position is smooth enough to give good aero shape.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	listwa.jpg
Views:	164
Size:	55.8 KB
ID:	11991  
__________________


Quote:
Gerhard Plattner: "The best attitude is to consider fuel saving a kind of sport. Everybody who has enough money for a strong car, can drive fast and hit the pedal. But saving fuel requires concentration, self-control and cleverness. It's a challenge with the nice effect of saving you money that you can use for other more important things."
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to AndrzejM For This Useful Post:
WesternStarSCR (12-04-2012)
Old 12-04-2012, 07:50 AM   #113 (permalink)
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 11,203

CM400E - '81 Honda CM400E
90 day: 51.49 mpg (US)

Daox's Grey Prius - '04 Toyota Prius
Team Toyota
90 day: 49.53 mpg (US)

Daox's Insight - '00 Honda Insight
90 day: 64.33 mpg (US)

Swarthy - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage DE
Mitsubishi
90 day: 56.69 mpg (US)

Daox's Volt - '13 Chevrolet Volt
Thanks: 2,501
Thanked 2,585 Times in 1,553 Posts
Great ideas guys. I'd love to see more people build these things. I really like WesternStarSCR's idea about the couplings. However, I'd like to keep things simpler/cheaper.

As for the coroplast, we'll see how it holds up this winter. I haven't had problems with it in a stationary block, but this is a bit different. I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on that aspect.
__________________
Current project: A better alternator delete
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Daox For This Useful Post:
WesternStarSCR (12-04-2012)
Old 12-04-2012, 04:51 PM   #114 (permalink)
...beats walking...
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: .
Posts: 6,190
Thanks: 179
Thanked 1,525 Times in 1,126 Posts
FYI, here is how GM is gonna do it on 2014 models: New Chassis Control Module Name for 2014 Model Year
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2012, 09:06 PM   #115 (permalink)
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 11,203

CM400E - '81 Honda CM400E
90 day: 51.49 mpg (US)

Daox's Grey Prius - '04 Toyota Prius
Team Toyota
90 day: 49.53 mpg (US)

Daox's Insight - '00 Honda Insight
90 day: 64.33 mpg (US)

Swarthy - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage DE
Mitsubishi
90 day: 56.69 mpg (US)

Daox's Volt - '13 Chevrolet Volt
Thanks: 2,501
Thanked 2,585 Times in 1,553 Posts
I decided to try the gluing method tonight. We'll see how it works out.







The first thing I did was cut a bunch of slots in the coroplast groove that the rod runs through.





The glue I used was a silicon rtv. To get a good bond, I basically smeared it on the cut slot and pushed it into the slot with my finger.





To position the rods in the proper position I used the precision height of a pocket knife to hold the rods at approximately 45 degrees.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	prius 003.JPG
Views:	782
Size:	64.6 KB
ID:	11995   Click image for larger version

Name:	prius 004.JPG
Views:	782
Size:	55.1 KB
ID:	11996   Click image for larger version

Name:	prius 011.JPG
Views:	784
Size:	77.7 KB
ID:	11997   Click image for larger version

Name:	prius 021.JPG
Views:	778
Size:	42.1 KB
ID:	11998  
__________________
Current project: A better alternator delete
  Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Daox For This Useful Post:
a8ksh4 (12-05-2012), christofoo (11-17-2013), mcrews (12-07-2012)
Old 12-05-2012, 08:22 AM   #116 (permalink)
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 11,203

CM400E - '81 Honda CM400E
90 day: 51.49 mpg (US)

Daox's Grey Prius - '04 Toyota Prius
Team Toyota
90 day: 49.53 mpg (US)

Daox's Insight - '00 Honda Insight
90 day: 64.33 mpg (US)

Swarthy - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage DE
Mitsubishi
90 day: 56.69 mpg (US)

Daox's Volt - '13 Chevrolet Volt
Thanks: 2,501
Thanked 2,585 Times in 1,553 Posts
I tried out the grill block this morning. It actuates pretty good. There is a small snag on one of the slats. Nothing the actuator couldn't push through but I'd like it nice and smooth. I'll grab the exacto blade and start shaving things until it rotates smoothly.
__________________
Current project: A better alternator delete
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2012, 12:48 PM   #117 (permalink)
Smeghead
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Central AK
Posts: 933

escort - '99 ford escort sport
90 day: 42.38 mpg (US)

scoobaru - '02 Subaru Forester s
90 day: 28.65 mpg (US)
Thanks: 32
Thanked 146 Times in 97 Posts
Very cool, I had doubts that the adhesive right at the pivot would hold up to the torque of the slats but with it working makes it pretty easy. I suspect you will be posting the code?
__________________

Learn from the mistakes of others, that way when you mess up you can do so in new and interesting ways.

One mile of road will take you one mile, one mile of runway can take you around the world.
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2012, 01:05 PM   #118 (permalink)
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 11,203

CM400E - '81 Honda CM400E
90 day: 51.49 mpg (US)

Daox's Grey Prius - '04 Toyota Prius
Team Toyota
90 day: 49.53 mpg (US)

Daox's Insight - '00 Honda Insight
90 day: 64.33 mpg (US)

Swarthy - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage DE
Mitsubishi
90 day: 56.69 mpg (US)

Daox's Volt - '13 Chevrolet Volt
Thanks: 2,501
Thanked 2,585 Times in 1,553 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by bestclimb View Post
Very cool, I had doubts that the adhesive right at the pivot would hold up to the torque of the slats but with it working makes it pretty easy.
Yeah, when I trim the one slat it'll move really really easy since its so light. I guess the only concern would be snow/ice build up AND the need to open the slats... Not really a normal occurance but it could happen. In that case my grill blocks do have enough room around them to allow the radiator fan to pull air through.


Quote:
I suspect you will be posting the code?
You betcha. That is kind of the next step. I have the code written. I want to get things wired up and the actuator attached to the grill block to make sure everything is working before its put on the car. I'll probably shoot some video showing it in action once it is working.
__________________
Current project: A better alternator delete
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Daox For This Useful Post:
bestclimb (12-05-2012)
Old 12-05-2012, 01:57 PM   #119 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Moreno Valley, Ca. United States
Posts: 34

Ruby - '91 Ford Mustang LX
90 day: 21.09 mpg (US)

Dusty - '03 Volkwagen Passat

Stella - '04 Saab 9-5 Aero
Thanks: 6
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
this looks great...cant wait to see the final product. i might do something similar in the future using a window motor
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2012, 09:13 PM   #120 (permalink)
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 11,203

CM400E - '81 Honda CM400E
90 day: 51.49 mpg (US)

Daox's Grey Prius - '04 Toyota Prius
Team Toyota
90 day: 49.53 mpg (US)

Daox's Insight - '00 Honda Insight
90 day: 64.33 mpg (US)

Swarthy - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage DE
Mitsubishi
90 day: 56.69 mpg (US)

Daox's Volt - '13 Chevrolet Volt
Thanks: 2,501
Thanked 2,585 Times in 1,553 Posts
Well, it turns out the silicon I used was really old and didn't really cure... Anyway, I got the slat trimmed so it moves nice, but I need to re-glue things.

__________________
Current project: A better alternator delete
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Tags
actuated, ardunio, automatic, grill block

Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Permanent Aluminum Grill Block and Belly Pan Markmysite EcoModding Central 41 02-27-2014 09:22 PM
Lower Grill Block 2005 Honda Civic Arminius EcoModding Central 12 10-04-2011 12:31 AM
DIY - Front Grill Block - 1991 Honda CRX SVOboy DIY / How-to 33 06-24-2011 05:16 PM
Airdam and grill block on the Mirage BrianAbington Aerodynamics 5 10-15-2008 06:54 PM
another project idea: electronically controlled grill block rjacob Aerodynamics 3 07-10-2008 04:36 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com