Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Lower Grill block that can open and close

Weather Spotter · 08-25-2010, 09:45 PM

Update:

I ran into town to get some stuff at the hardware store and just went browsing around looking for ideas. Caution do not try this, it is dangerous, you might come up with some good ones!

Here is what I found:

Closed:

open:

They are listed as 4"x14" and my grill has an open area of 3"x 29". The actual open area on these heating grates is 3.5"x 13". I have extra space on the inside of the grill, both vertically and horizontally. These were not the cheep ones, they had an open/ close wheel, the ones I got have a flat ridge. It only takes .5" to fully open or close them. They cost $7.40 each and I got 2. I figured it was worth having the hardware pre designed (I can just re purpose them).

Now all I need are some Universal Power Door Lock Actuators. I want two so I had to email the seller on Ebay. Still waiting.

I also got my self a duel pole, double acting momentary switch ($8.29). I should be able to hook it up to the acuators just like my diagram:

At the junction of the blue and red wires I will just tie in two actuators. I might add a on/off switch to one of the actuators (inline with any one of the wires after the junction) this would allow me to only open one of the grates.

What do you think? Will this work?

08-25-2010, 09:45 PM	#22 (permalink)
Weather Spotter Wiki Mod Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Midland MI, USA Posts: 2,042 Max - '14 Ford C-Max SEL Thanks: 228 Thanked 304 Times in 210 Posts	Update: I ran into town to get some stuff at the hardware store and just went browsing around looking for ideas. Caution do not try this, it is dangerous, you might come up with some good ones! Here is what I found: Closed: open: They are listed as 4"x14" and my grill has an open area of 3"x 29". The actual open area on these heating grates is 3.5"x 13". I have extra space on the inside of the grill, both vertically and horizontally. These were not the cheep ones, they had an open/ close wheel, the ones I got have a flat ridge. It only takes .5" to fully open or close them. They cost $7.40 each and I got 2. I figured it was worth having the hardware pre designed (I can just re purpose them). Now all I need are some Universal Power Door Lock Actuators. I want two so I had to email the seller on Ebay. Still waiting. I also got my self a duel pole, double acting momentary switch ($8.29). I should be able to hook it up to the acuators just like my diagram: At the junction of the blue and red wires I will just tie in two actuators. I might add a on/off switch to one of the actuators (inline with any one of the wires after the junction) this would allow me to only open one of the grates. What do you think? Will this work? __________________