Controlling Airbag system through PC..

Ryann · 12-28-2006, 07:14 AM

Ok, i got this idea from seeing the dakota digital systems (basically an overpriced setup used to raise and lower an airbag suspension car through a small, lcd and 3 buttons) and there price tag.. now basically i have a toyota hilux which suspension is setup on airbags and is controlled thru 8 12v Solenoids..

now.. each wheel has an airbag and the air to that bag is controlled by a rocker switch in the cab, up operates one valve to to one airbag and inflates it. and the down will operate one valve which deflates the bag.. which in turn raises and lowers my truck.. so all up 2 valves per bag.. so 8

now ive been wanting to do this for sometime and feel its finally within grasp after reading that topic about controlling LEDs..
(http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/general-mp3car-discussion/93087-controlling-leds-through-car-pc.html)

basicly all my switchbox does is zap each valve with 12v line and it opens the selected valve.. which lets the air thru..

Sooooo in the end i want to create a flash program that looks cool and by touching each corner bag on the screen can raise and lower my truck.. even so a vbscript program or something to get me started... to be able to click a button on my touch screen which will send a current outside my pc to some sort of relay.like to a circit board on the pc to run to a relay to open my valve... i kno this is all confusing but i hope you guys understand.. how could i go about doing it? those kits from jaycar seem like they can do the trick.. but i just would like some more info..

Ultimately i want to have 4 air pressure senders one on each airbag that sends the pressure just as a integer to a circuit which i can read in a program... as soon as i can do that... i can have preset buttons inside a program which on click will open the correct valves and using an IF statement relate back to the pressure coming from the senders and stp once reaching a number from the sender and set the truck up to a certain height.. and ill be able to do it all from a damn cool screen and wow alot of people who are buying these **** box systems with really lame basic lcd screens,... and this hopefully will cost me half the price. at least..

Anyways... ANY help would reatly b appreciated..

Ryann,

DarquePervert · 12-28-2006, 07:26 AM

Search the forums.
It's been discusses many times.

Ryann · 12-28-2006, 06:29 PM

ok thanks for the reply. ive been searching and come across ALOT of info.. can u give me your thoughts on this and also some guidance into a decent realy board i could run with this..

i think im going to go with this phidget board

usb interface into my system..

from there i also want to try and run 5 pressure senders to run into my phidget board.. such as these

From there i can read all the info i need in a fancy flash program and shoot back out my phidget board onto a relay board and from there my solienoids.. im more fussed on getting that side of things done first rather then the pressure senders.. but id like to get a way to do that also.. that way i can have preset heights in my program..

any thoughts or help from you guys? on a relay board and info on pressure readings.. thanks.. Ryann,

EDIT: how would i go about implementing such a sender like this..

http://www.swissarmyvehicles.com/sho...rtno=VDO360025

Maheriano · 12-28-2006, 06:41 PM

I have an air ride setup with the touchscreen control. It doesn't run through my carputer though. Yet.....

Ryann · 12-28-2006, 08:40 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Maheriano

I have an air ride setup with the touchscreen control. It doesn't run through my carputer though. Yet.....

well from what i can gather it is really a fairly simple setup and in the end with a flash frontend for the system i should be able to make it look quite the professional system with animation of my actual truck in vector should be very nice..

anyone with comments or ideas please post

Ryann · 12-29-2006, 08:38 AM

From what ive found i would be able to run this as my relay board?

Quote:

DC Opto-Isolated Output Board
DC Opto-Isolated 4 Channel Output Board, suitable for DC motors and servos. Effectively control DC motors with this easy to control DC output board. Each channel is controlled by a TTL control signal, which can be connected directly to a microcontroller or control system. Board requires a 12V power supply.

Features
• Connects Directly to all Futurlec Training Boards
• Opto-Isolated for Effective Isolation between Input and Output Circuits
• LED Status Indication
• PCB Terminals with Screw Fixing for Secure Connection
• Fast Switching Outputs suitable for up to 3A @ 12Vdc
• Dimensions: Length - 127mm, Width - 56mm

This will output a 12v DC for use on my car, to zap my solenoids correct?

Ryann · 01-02-2007, 07:49 PM

bump?

travb81 · 01-08-2007, 02:25 AM

That board only controls 4 DC outputs, i think you need to control 8?
One up and one down valve for each wheel.
Jaycar - so you are from Australia too?!

Ryann · 01-09-2007, 05:30 AM

Hey thanks for the reply..

Yea id need 2 of those boards.. but they control the DC at what amps?

NSW Australia here man

travb81 · 01-09-2007, 07:00 AM

It says 3A 12V, that would be for each output you can control.
Your valves wont need much power to activate, i think you should be fine with it.

kidreyno · 01-14-2007, 02:36 AM

I came across this thread, mainly to see what others are trying to do, and have been on a similar quest starting about a three years ago.

Although I didn't go the PC route, for many reasons. Many things have to be considered before leaving the simple yet robust hardwired systems.

Paste the following link into your browser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OArqKEvXd6U

My canned system can use a touch screen to do what you are looking for as well, and insange amounts more. I will be posting more videos in about a month of a fbss system on Smart Bag Design equipment.

Let me know if you're interested.

Maheriano · 01-24-2007, 11:54 AM

Forget all that. Check out www.connect2car.com and it'll give you everything you want.

kidreyno · 01-26-2007, 03:22 PM

Ok if you want a limited output device, with PC functionality.

Exapandability and being able to read a variety of signals is the flexibility that customizers want.

RebelWithACause · 05-23-2007, 08:40 PM

Check out this board , it should be just what you need to get started. 10A should be plenty, and as long as you've got a parallel port you're good to go (and cheap, too). I had one I used for home automation purposes, very easy to use and straight forward. Easy to access through software, too.

DodgeCummins · 05-25-2007, 08:03 AM

I can just see someone getting the BSOD and their air-ride going crazy...like into some seizure.