Engineerable » Daniel Bauen http://engineerable.com Create, Design, Hack, Destroy, Recycle Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:06:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Threaded Ball Lock for Tightening and Quick Release http://engineerable.com/2010/08/threaded-ball-lock-for-tightening-and-quick-release/ http://engineerable.com/2010/08/threaded-ball-lock-for-tightening-and-quick-release/#comments Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:28:20 +0000 Daniel Bauen http://engineerable.com/?p=228

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]]> http://engineerable.com/2010/08/threaded-ball-lock-for-tightening-and-quick-release/feed/ 0 Self Contained Electric Bike Wheel http://engineerable.com/2010/08/self-contained-electric-bike-wheel/ http://engineerable.com/2010/08/self-contained-electric-bike-wheel/#comments Fri, 06 Aug 2010 05:18:44 +0000 Daniel Bauen http://engineerable.com/?p=226 While I was developing this idea, I found out about an MIT project called GreenWheel doing the same, which later turned into the Copenhagen Wheel which will go on sale in 2011.  Seeing as they already had a well executed design, I decided not to pursue this further as I would probably just end up infringing on [...]]]> While I was developing this idea, I found out about an MIT project called GreenWheel doing the same, which later turned into the Copenhagen Wheel which will go on sale in 2011.  Seeing as they already had a well executed design, I decided not to pursue this further as I would probably just end up infringing on patents.  I especially like the innovative spoke design on the Copenhagen Wheel.  Very cool.

]]> http://engineerable.com/2010/08/self-contained-electric-bike-wheel/feed/ 2 Sprinter – Beds http://engineerable.com/2010/08/sprinter-beds/ http://engineerable.com/2010/08/sprinter-beds/#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:59:54 +0000 Daniel Bauen http://engineerable.com/?p=208 Initial sketches of the pull out couch designs:

Folding couch/bed: http://www.blazinbelltech.com/furniture.html#Mattress Supports:

Slat system used for boats: http://us.binnacle.com/BBQ-/-Stoves-/-Heaters-Chairs/tables/c7_22/p5739/Neptune%20SLAT%20SYSTEM/product_info.html Modular bedspring system, Froli: http://www.nickleatlantic.com/gallery1.htm Got this idea from here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20079

Mattress:

Memory foam 4in topper: http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Serta-Rejuvenator-4-inch-Memory-Foam-Mattress-Topper/3298223/product.html?rcmndsrc=2

Couch/Beds, commercial:

Folding couch/bed: http://www.blazinbelltech.com/furniture.html#

]]> Initial sketches of the pull out couch designs:

Folding couch/bed: http://www.blazinbelltech.com/furniture.html#Mattress Supports:

Mattress:

Couch/Beds, commercial:


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]]> http://engineerable.com/2010/08/sprinter-beds/feed/ 1 iPhone 4 Ghetto Case http://engineerable.com/2010/08/iphone-4-ghetto-case/ http://engineerable.com/2010/08/iphone-4-ghetto-case/#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:27:13 +0000 Daniel Bauen http://engineerable.com/?p=213 It’s still going to be a few weeks before the new “free” iphone cases come out, so I needed an interim solution for the butterfingers that I am.  The phone slips perfectly into my Gen1 2G Agent 18 Eco case.  The case halves don’t meet, because the phone doesn’t have the same edge radius as the 2G. [...]]]> It’s still going to be a few weeks before the new “free” iphone cases come out, so I needed an interim solution for the butterfingers that I am.  The phone slips perfectly into my Gen1 2G Agent 18 Eco case.  The case halves don’t meet, because the phone doesn’t have the same edge radius as the 2G.  Carving out would have been a pain, so a piece of red electric tape holds the halves together, and accents the back.  The phone is so much thinner, and the camera was far enough from the hole to cause vignetting.  Drilled out the camera hole larger, and drilled a side hole for the flash.  Chamfered the edges with a countersink tool.  All the buttons line up, sort of.  Quick, dirty, looks less flashy.  In fact, it looks just like the old slowPhone.

]]> http://engineerable.com/2010/08/iphone-4-ghetto-case/feed/ 0 Sprinter – Cooling and Heating http://engineerable.com/2010/07/sprinter_cooling_and_heating/ http://engineerable.com/2010/07/sprinter_cooling_and_heating/#comments Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:38:37 +0000 Daniel Bauen http://engineerable.com/?p=205 Screens:

Simple design for a screen that goes over the window.  We made some that used magnetic strips, but they were kind of a pain to install, and the magnets tend to crack.  This seems like a better idea, because the window height can be adjusted.  Maybe build some kind of rain shield into it. http://www.sprinteraccessories.com/074_custom_bug_barrier_and_cross_ventilation_kit.html

Vent Fans:

MaxxFan [...]]]> Screens:

Vent Fans:

Circulation Fans:

Air Conditioner: Since air conditioners rely on an AC power source, I prefer to stay away from having to bring a generator, or being hooked up.  A permanently installed AC unit would be seldom used.  The best option may be a small portable AC that I can bring when I know that I will be going somewhere that has AC hookups.

Heat:

  • Espar Airtronic D2 Diesel Heater
]]> http://engineerable.com/2010/07/sprinter_cooling_and_heating/feed/ 2 Sprinter – Awning http://engineerable.com/2010/07/sprinter_awning/ http://engineerable.com/2010/07/sprinter_awning/#comments Sat, 17 Jul 2010 17:48:45 +0000 Daniel Bauen http://engineerable.com/?p=201 Crank Out Awnings:

F45 Plus Fiamma F45Ti: This is a nice awning, and the one that is usually most commonly installed on the sprinter conversions.  It has self supporting arms that allow the awning to be cranked out with ease.  I want to be able to attach the support posts to the vehicle as shown in the image. http://www.fiammausa.com/products/awnings.asp?Fam=F01 A&E [...]]]> Crank Out Awnings:

Retractable:

Retractable and Portable:

Fold up:

Awning Rails:

  • http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Boating_and_Marine/Awning_Rail/Awning_Rail_-_Aluminum/index.html
  • http://www.sailmakerssupply.com/prod_detail_list/48
  • http://www.perfectfit.com/154247/products/Keder-Awning-Rail-Insert.html

Conclusion: I was fortunate enough to a used Fiamma F45 Plus (earlier model of the F45Ti) on the Sportsmobile forum in Austin Texas.  The guy had not yet sold it because everyone wanted it shipped.  My friend who lives in Austin picked it up for me.  Sweet deal!

]]> http://engineerable.com/2010/07/sprinter_awning/feed/ 1 How to Stop Wasting Trash Bags http://engineerable.com/2010/06/how-to-stop-wasting-trash-bags/ http://engineerable.com/2010/06/how-to-stop-wasting-trash-bags/#comments Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:31:14 +0000 Daniel Bauen http://engineerable.com/?p=187 I was just watching someone empty the trashcan, and it reminded me that trashbags and trashcan liners are ridiculous for places that have garbage pickup or dumpsters. Seems so wastefull to put your trash in a perfectly good bag. The main reason we do it is in order to prevent the trashcan itself from becoming [...]]]> I was just watching someone empty the trashcan, and it reminded me that trashbags and trashcan liners are ridiculous for places that have garbage pickup or dumpsters. Seems so wastefull to put your trash in a perfectly good bag. The main reason we do it is in order to prevent the trashcan itself from becoming filthy. Made me think of an idea for a very simple “washing machine” for trashcans. There are some logistical issues, like needing a drain, finding the appropriate location for the device, how do you keep the washer from becoming filthy… The trash trucks could have a pressure washing device to clean out the curbside cans, and recycle the water. Imagine all the good stuff growing in that water.
Maybe the more efficient solution is to recycle all the bags, but that uses a lot of resources, and only a percentage of them will be recycled.

Doesn’t work for places like NYC that pile up mountains of trash bags on the sidewalk.
dB

]]> http://engineerable.com/2010/06/how-to-stop-wasting-trash-bags/feed/ 2 Lightwave bindings adapted to WLF Liquid Force kite board http://engineerable.com/2010/06/lightwave-bindings-adapted-to-wlf-liquid-force-kite-board/ http://engineerable.com/2010/06/lightwave-bindings-adapted-to-wlf-liquid-force-kite-board/#comments Wed, 16 Jun 2010 19:47:02 +0000 Daniel Bauen http://engineerable.com/?p=186 Lightwave makes a great pair of bindings, but after purchasing them, I realized that my Liquid Force WLF kite board uses non-standard 6.5inch screw spacing. The screws for the Lightwave bindings are spaced at 6in apart.  The bindings have a metal plate through which the screws go through. I wanted to decrease the [...]]]>
Lightwave makes a great pair of bindings, but after purchasing them, I realized that my Liquid Force WLF kite board uses non-standard 6.5inch screw spacing. The screws for the Lightwave bindings are spaced at 6in apart.  The bindings have a metal plate through which the screws go through. I wanted to decrease the spacing to 5.5inch, because that would probably keep it stronger as opposed to widening the spacing more. I could just dremel the slot, but that would damage the metal support plate, and possibly make it too thin.

By removing the straps, I was able to use a flathead screw driver to pry up the foam that was preventing the metal bracket from sliding inboard.

Using a screwdriver, I was then able to slide the bracket inboard.

Below you can see the metal bracket slide halfway down the slots, inboard of the binding.

All that was left to do was dremel the plastic slot, which was easy work. The metal bracket remains undamaged, and hopefully so does the structural integrity of the binding.

]]> http://engineerable.com/2010/06/lightwave-bindings-adapted-to-wlf-liquid-force-kite-board/feed/ 1 Leaning and Wheelbase Transforming Car http://engineerable.com/2010/06/leaning-and-wheelbase-transforming-car/ http://engineerable.com/2010/06/leaning-and-wheelbase-transforming-car/#comments Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:51:50 +0000 Daniel Bauen http://engineerable.com/?p=181

This vehicle was inspired by the Carver One, and a prototype wheelbase changing vehicle that I saw in the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum.

It’s a 3 wheeled car, and like the Carver has one motorcycle like wheel in the front, and two car like wheels in the rear. The [...]]]>

This vehicle was inspired by the Carver One, and a prototype wheelbase changing vehicle that I saw in the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum.

It’s a 3 wheeled car, and like the Carver has one motorcycle like wheel in the front, and two car like wheels in the rear. The passenger pod tilts left and right to an angle up to 45 degrees. The tilting is actively controlled and based on several inputs; turning radius, speed, acceleration, steering input acceleration. The two rear wheels stay on the ground, and the rear, non-tilting compartment houses the engine (or electric motor and components).

At speed, the wheelbase is long, keeping the vehicle stable with a low center of gravity. For parking, or low speed maneuvering in confined spaces, the rear wheels and engine compartment move towards the front wheel, shortening the wheelbase. The passenger compartment rises to a more vertical position. In this position, the car can be parked in much smaller spaces, and directly into the sidewalk, rather than parallel parked.

]]> http://engineerable.com/2010/06/leaning-and-wheelbase-transforming-car/feed/ 1 Sprinter – Roof Rack http://engineerable.com/2010/06/sprinter-roof-rack/ http://engineerable.com/2010/06/sprinter-roof-rack/#comments Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:07:18 +0000 Daniel Bauen http://engineerable.com/?p=178 The sprinter is already so tall, I really don’t want to add any storage space on the top.  However, I would like to install a solar panel and mounting points for an awning, or tarp hook points.

The 2006 and earlier sprinters did not come with roof rack rails.  I believe the 2007 and newer models [...]]]> The sprinter is already so tall, I really don’t want to add any storage space on the top.  However, I would like to install a solar panel and mounting points for an awning, or tarp hook points.

The 2006 and earlier sprinters did not come with roof rack rails.  I believe the 2007 and newer models have rails, or option for rails.

My initial idea for rails involved using 80/20 or similar T-slot extruded aluminum.  These are stiff, very strong, and the position can be adjusted anywhere along the length.

Later, I found out about L-Track, used for tie downs, and similar to what they use for seat tracks in airplanes.  The track is lower profile, has nice form fitting profile, and the attachments can be inserted anywhere along the track.  There are a lot of options for tiedowns that insert into the track.  Most are quick-release, but some are more permanent screw down.

An example of L-track available from Mac’s Custom Tiedowns (Summit Racing is a local distributor of their products):

End pieces are available here: http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/product/257/All

Sealing up the underside of the track:

Hardware:

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