ride height limit switches

[Coach529]

Just a little back ground info......I am an electrician who works with a lot of limit switches and automation stuff everyday!!

Has anybody ever used some simple limit switches on there air ride set up to set exact ride height, or is going off pressure good enough?

I was thinking a limit switch at each wheel. They are fairly cheap ($28.00 each) and small.



You could use the limit switch to fire a LED. LED lights up, you are at desired ride height.

[Coach529]

Anybody??

[andrewmp6]

Most people on here use accuair or just go by psi,Your kinda on your own if you want to make your own system like that.

[JNJchev77]

I think it's a cool idea. I don't know much about those switches but you seem to have a handle on them. Why not give it a shot at that cost?

[Coach529]

I am new to air ride.......so maybe this is a silly question.

How consistent is your ride height when going off air pressure?

[JNJchev77]

Originally Posted by Coach529

I am new to air ride.......so maybe this is a silly question.

How consistent is your ride height when going off air pressure?

It's pretty close, until your load changes. But if you drive your vehicle with bags long enough, you know when it's level and when it's not right.

I'm using Accuair E-level, because like most, I can't stand a lowered vehicle that leans or sags and I don't have to worry about watching pressures.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by Coach529

I am new to air ride.......so maybe this is a silly question.

How consistent is your ride height when going off air pressure?

Coach, I think that is a simply brilliant idea! Not wanting to spend the big money for a control system, I designed a system (with a friends help) that used a level sensor from a newer Tahoe, digital 5 v reference source and digital display. It works fine. Just have to design the sensor mounts and links. Harness and display mounts too.

Your system will basically do the same I think, depending on how precise you can be with the air switch. Could your limit switch activate a different light if you are too low or too high?

My truck was a pain with varied loads. Had to get out and eyeball ride height.

[youngrodder]

I too think this is a good idea. I have an old air ride set up in my 48 that has not ride height sensors. I can tell you its not perfect. If I drop the system all the way down (aired out) and then go and add air to the system to drive off. I end up adding more air PSI than my normal drive height.

I already purchased an accuair set up for the suburban. Considering how many people might be ridding in that. My manual set up in the 48 does not compensate if you have a 400 lb (exaggerating) person in your passenger seat. You might have the front still set at 90 PSI but you could be scrapping because of you heavy passenger....You follow?

Marc

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Coach, I think that is a simply brilliant idea! Not wanting to spend the big money for a control system, I designed a system (with a friends help) that used a level sensor from a newer Tahoe, digital 5 v reference source and digital display. It works fine. Just have to design the sensor mounts and links. Harness and display mounts too.

Your system will basically do the same I think, depending on how precise you can be with the air switch. Could your limit switch activate a different light if you are too low or too high?

My truck was a pain with varied loads. Had to get out and eyeball ride height.

Typically these switches have a couple sets of contacts in them one Normally Open and One Normally Closed. I would use a set of normally open contacts. Bring power to the switch, once your truck gets to ride height the lever would hit a target, and the contacts would close and you would send power back to the cab to fire a light. I was thinking a small LED. One for each wheel.

The way the switch is made it is either off or on, like a light switch. Below ride height the light would be off, at ride height and above the light would be on.

I suppose you could set up multiple switches firing multiple light for different ride heights.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

I too think this is a good idea. I have an old air ride set up in my 48 that has not ride height sensors. I can tell you its not perfect. If I drop the system all the way down (aired out) and then go and add air to the system to drive off. I end up adding more air PSI than my normal drive height.

I already purchased an accuair set up for the suburban. Considering how many people might be ridding in that. My manual set up in the 48 does not compensate if you have a 400 lb (exaggerating) person in your passenger seat. You might have the front still set at 90 PSI but you could be scrapping because of you heavy passenger....You follow?

Marc

That makes perfect sense.......and that is what I am trying to avoid.

If I have a load from the lumber yard in the back......I want to be able to hit the switch and raise it until the light comes on.......and drive home. Not have to eye ball ride height. Plus make it more used friendly if my wife or daughter (Gasp) drive it.

[Coach529]

LED's.

http://www.oznium.com/led-indicator-light

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by Coach529

Typically these switches have a couple sets of contacts in them one Normally Open and One Normally Closed. I would use a set of normally open contacts. Bring power to the switch, once your truck gets to ride height the lever would hit a target, and the contacts would close and you would send power back to the cab to fire a light. I was thinking a small LED. One for each wheel.

The way the switch is made it is either off or on, like a light switch. Below ride height the light would be off, at ride height and above the light would be on.

I suppose you could set up multiple switches firing multiple light for different ride heights.

Problem with that is, when you actually drive and the suspension cycles up and down, it's going to look like a disco in the truck with all the lights flashing.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Problem with that is, when you actually drive and the suspension cycles up and down, it's going to look like a disco in the truck with all the lights flashing.

True, but that is pretty easy to solve. You could put the hot wire going to the switches on a toggle switch.

I plan on putting the LED's, along with my gauges and switches behind my speaker grill so you will only seem them when it is open.

Similar to this:

[SCOTI]

I like the idea. I've spoken to our plant engineers regarding something like this for my manual air set-up (paddle valves/gauges). We use several types of limit/position switches in our manufacturing facility.

Like stated, the indicator lighting could be on a toggle switch. Air it up until the LED's indicate height is @ set-point, then flip the switch so that as the susupension cycles the lights aren't blinking.

[Andy4639]

Why not just do it in reverse. Where I work a light on means problems.

No lights on means everything is working correctly. So why not have the light go out when at ride height, that way as stated you don;t have to worry about them.

[SCOTI]

Because as you travel the switches will move as well & you'd still have to work around blinking lights.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Because as you travel the switches will move as well & you'd still have to work around blinking lights.

Yes I realize that but at least you don't have them on all the time is what I'm getting at. They may not be a concern if like he said he puts them behind the dash but if it where where they where seen all the time I would be wanting to cut them off. As stated it's going to be like a disco floor once driving though.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Why not just do it in reverse. Where I work a light on means problems.

No lights on means everything is working correctly. So why not have the light go out when at ride height, that way as stated you don;t have to worry about them.

I really like this idea. A light on a dash usually means there is a problem.

The disco effect while driving could be easily eliminated by wiring the light feed circuit through a park neutral switch.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

I really like this idea. A light on a dash usually means there is a problem.

The disco effect while driving could be easily eliminated by wiring the light feed circuit through a park neutral switch.

That would work great as well.

[southsider]

Or you could run the signal wire to your valve solenoid through the Normally Open contacts. You get in hit the toggle switch, it will go up until the limit switch is made and then it will drop the signal to the solenoid. After that, if you pick up a load of fat girls, you hit the toggle switch and it will raise until the limit switch is made again. Food for thought...

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by southsider

Or you could run the signal wire to your valve solenoid through the Normally Open contacts. You get in hit the toggle switch, it will go up until the limit switch is made and then it will drop the signal to the solenoid. After that, if you pick up a load of fat girls, you hit the toggle switch and it will raise until the limit switch is made again. Food for thought...

That would be great. I am running full manual so unfortunately it will not work for my set up.

MK