Anyone see anything wrong with this idea?

**brrman** · 12-10-2003, 03:48 PM

I want to show my amps - since I have some nice looking Hifonics ones. But I also want to keep them stowed away and preserve trunk space...

So this is what I came up with. I think it would work if made sure everything was in ratio...

**FAmonmouth** · 12-10-2003, 07:14 PM

I would pivot both end of the actuator and move the pivot point on the amp rack up to the end but keep the stop where it is.

You will not know untill you try it. trial and error

**wi77iam** · 12-10-2003, 07:31 PM

I did something similar but simpler - just a hinged board.

Mounting board down:

Mounting board up:

I still need to carpet it.

**cafn8** · 12-11-2003, 12:20 AM

OK, first I have no decent programs for doing this sort of thing, but here's a quickie job to show a way you might make it work better.

This should add some stability and control the movement a bit. And, yes, it will need quite a bit of tweaking to actually work, but that's your job.

**brrman** · 12-11-2003, 12:42 AM

I did something similar but simpler - just a hinged board.

Yeah thats a cool idea but I think I want something a little more stealth while not removing my ability to drop the seats and throw the skis in the trunk.

OK, first I have no decent programs for doing this sort of thing,

heh heh - yeah I can see how that would make the movement more defined. Still trying to decide if I can should just do away with the tilting aspect of it and jusy have it slide out like a drawer.

I did that original image in MS Paint btw....

**CelicaGarage** · 12-11-2003, 01:19 AM

The only problem I see is how would it go from the extended position to the retracted position.

It looks like it would rotate the whole thing while it's pulling back in.

You have gravity helping you in the begining but it's against you went going back in.

Vic

**Ricky327** · 12-11-2003, 09:25 AM

Yup it will get stuck when retracting, the angle of the amp is too steep when pushed out. The pulling rod is lower than the pivot...as CelicaGarage say it will kinda rotate, unless you want it like that

**brrman** · 12-11-2003, 10:26 AM

Yup it will get stuck when retracting, the angle of the amp is too steep when pushed out. The pulling rod is lower than the pivot...as CelicaGarage say it will kinda rotate, unless you want it like that

Yeah the image is not exactly perfectly drawn. I realize the pivot on the tray is not aligned correctly with that of the actuator.

Not sure what you guys mean by rotate tho...

**cafn8** · 12-11-2003, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Ricky327

Yup it will get stuck when retracting, the angle of the amp is too steep when pushed out. The pulling rod is lower than the pivot...as CelicaGarage say it will kinda rotate, unless you want it like that

I think you're probably right. I think that moving the pivot where the actuator connects to the amp board to the very back edge of the amp board would fix the geometry, and make it work, though. That's assuming the actuator has enough pulling force to tilt the board up.

While I'm thinking of it, since we have sliding mechanisms on both sides of this amp board it will need something to keep it from racking (where one side pushes out before the other, and causes the whole thing to get bound up.) I can envision a sort of sliding scissor mechanism which would keep it straight. I can't really draw it up, though, since right now I'm on the clock getting paid to make drawings of things

**Jackso** · 12-11-2003, 03:12 PM

To solve the retraction problem the actuator needs to mount to the amp board above the point where the amp board mounts to the bracket. As you currently have it drawn, it will extend fine, but when you try to retract, the actuator will begin to pull and try to complete the circle that the board has begun to make. By mounting the actuator above the pivot point, the pivot point would allow the horizontally moving actuator to create the little bit of vertical force required to pull the amps up while it retracts. If you don't understand what I'm saying, leave a post and I'll modify a pic when I get home from work.