pickup aerocap design question

[ECONORAM]

Originally Posted by KamperBob

I expect that cap would weigh under 100 pounds. The foam skin and paint are almost negligible. The wood framing is probably less than 10. Hardware may be another 10 (C clamps, metal hinges & latches, gas struts, plexi windows & rubber seals). Fiberglass could add 50 (depending on #plys).

Pretty neat idea. I was thinking of something similar, but I do not have the time to start something of that scope.

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by ECONORAM

Pretty neat idea. I was thinking of something similar, but I do not have the time to start something of that scope.

I did mine in steps after much planning and brainstorming. You build it like a house...first the foundation, second the frame, third the walls, and last the roof.

If you were closer...I'd even give you a hand. Maybe when I git my next version going with the tapered sides....I can git you going on yers with some step by step instructions/piccies.

[bondo]

All you guys who are designing and building your own aerocaps, you have my greatest respect.

While I was building the Aerolid, I always remembered what Thomas Edison said about Invention. He said, " Invention is 10% inspiration, 90% perspiration." Frankly, he was right.

Bondo

[kevlar]

Maybe some ideas for inspiration... I never got a chance to long term test mine, but here is kinda how it was done....

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...html#post25264

[KamperBob]

Originally Posted by bondo

All you guys who are designing and building your own aerocaps, you have my greatest respect.

While I was building the Aerolid, I always remembered what Thomas Edison said about Invention. He said, " Invention is 10% inspiration, 90% perspiration." Frankly, he was right.

Bondo

Brett, your work set a high standard, and inspired me to contribute.

I have been thinking about your design. Perhaps an interesting ABA test would be lid on versus off. What I'm thinking is the wedge sides would limit vortices feeding the bed bubble. Those who need to haul something a little taller might not incur too much aero penalty (compared to fully open box) by simply removing the lid. It could be a selling point if test data supports the hypothesis.

[bondo]

Originally Posted by KamperBob

Brett, your work set a high standard, and inspired me to contribute.

I have been thinking about your design. Perhaps an interesting ABA test would be lid on versus off. What I'm thinking is the wedge sides would limit vortices feeding the bed bubble. Those who need to haul something a little taller might not incur too much aero penalty (compared to fully open box) by simply removing the lid. It could be a selling point if test data supports the hypothesis.

That would be an intersting aspect of the Aerolid to study. I do need to do a complete ABA testing of the Aerolid and this spring will be a good time to do it. Warm temperatures and calm winds are ideal for this type of test.

The idea of running the Aerolid without the roof on it, which I have done very little of, is indeed something to look into.

Thanks KamperBob and you guys are my inspiration too,

Bondo

[laack]

the hatches are double hinged and completely removable with latches and simple bolts/wing nuts as pivots. side windows are pending a cheap place to buy Plexiglas. The first hatch is for loading simple items (groceries, bags, etc). it comes out in seconds if larger items need to be loaded.

I had to sacrifice some form for functionality. I haul road bikes and mountain bikes weekly so i had to abandon rounded sides for the extra storage space. It ends up at roughly 10 degree slop leading edge to trailing with a slight camber.

no economy results yet. I expect all initial results to vary largely to weather (Minnesota). I'm still hauling around a couple hundred lbs in sandbags for traction so summer will be the first real mpg estimates i want to consider to added/lost efficiency.

[laack]

Pictures

[BamZipPow]

Looking good...how water tight is it?

[laack]

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

Looking good...how water tight is it?

about equal to the cheap Chinese child labored water resistant watches that claim "up to 15 feet." It definitely has its flaws. I'm planning on sealing up some seams when i'm satisfied with its mechanical reliability and functionality. I want everything to be accessible to changes and modifications while it goes through its growing pains.

Menards had some acrylic windows at a very affordable rate that I'm planning on installing this week. Positioning it is going to be difficult to maximize visibility with minimal windows.