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smart minds needed.

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Posted by: normohl

here is a write up and how to control the air ride.

http://www.markviii.org/LOD2/solenoidmod.html

simplified to the fullest, i am a electronics engineer (in training) and i would like to know how hard that really is, if i was going to make a homemade adjuster, i know that schematic is really simple and know i could do it in theory. but i know it wont be that simple. should i just buy an asham?

Posted by: slowmkviii

Quote:

Originally Posted by normohl

here is a write up and how to control the air ride.

http://www.markviii.org/LOD2/solenoidmod.html

simplified to the fullest, i am a electronics engineer (in training) and i would like to know how hard that really is, if i was going to make a homemade adjuster, i know that schematic is really simple and know i could do it in theory. but i know it wont be that simple. should i just buy an asham?

you must have the know how so if you can get the parts cheep try and build your own and if it works when I get a job I may by one from you

Posted by: warthog5

Go for it. It's a good schematic and instructions.

Posted by: 96hotrodlincoln

Been done, Just installed it last week, works ok but could use some improvements, the factory system runs the compressor for a second before opening any of the bag solenoids, to build some pressure in the lines, so it doesn't have to fight the sudden pressure from the bags. This schematic opens the solenoids and fires the compressor at the same time. May cause unnecessary wear on the compressor over. I've been working on the idea of using a 555 Timer to delay the solenoids for a second to mock the factory setup.

I'd be willing to work with you on this if you're interested. Let me know your thoughts on it. I'm just an electronics hobbyist, but I have a great understanding of how the factory system works.

Adam

Posted by: normohl

i am in no sense an electronics engineer, but i am going to college for it, so it sort of counts? i have built circuit boards and am good with breadboards and whatnot, always really took other schematics and prototyped the board for it, but never really got into building your own circuits, but thats not the hardest thing to do. also having no knowledge of the car or any car of that matter.

looking at the schematic i don't see where the message center comes into play -probably the bag error- but where does that pin connect to?. if you could help me with this, i could probably figure something out. don't they have valves for back pressure that restrict air one way but don't the other? i would think mechanical before electronic, but then again i have no knowledge of the bag system lines and what not. are we talking about just one second for the compressor to build up before the solenoids?

Posted by: normohl

i would also like to know what features the asham has over this.

Posted by: chickenviii

theres no checkvalves, its kinda a 2 vent solenoid system per bag. on markviii's one on the compressor (where it actually vents to the atmosphere) and one at each bag. when raising it needs to only open the solenoid at the bag but in order for the bag to vent out it needs to open the bag and the comp solenoid

Posted by: 96hotrodlincoln

Yes, listen to your car, the compressor runs for 1 second and then you hear it open the front bag solenoids, then it closes them and opens the rear solenoids.

It needs that 1 second to build the pressure in the lines. Take a fast-bag setup for example, they utilize a tank to store pressure. Without that 1 second to build pressure, the compressor will air up the bags but it has to work harder because it's fighting the sudden back pressure when the bag solenoids open.

That schematic was designed by Kale and he connected the latching rely to the message center to disable the "check air ride" message. It's really not needed but nice if you don't like the error message.

The latching relay is quite expensive, usually will run you at least 25 bucks, sometimes more depending on the supplier, luckily I was able to obtain two samples for nothing. I could probably build these, but I have no idea on cost at this point. I still need to get the timer portion figured out, the rest has been built and installed and does work.