Anton2k3
Adventurer
Forgot to include eBay link:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130563669...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_6206wt_1107
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130563669...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_6206wt_1107
Intro and Our Mercedes Vario Home -Gen rack pg.5. Ideas on uprating rear suspension?
- Thread starter Anton2k3
- Start date
Anton2k3
Adventurer
Quick update. I've started the new generator rack, got a couple of pics. These are not the most up to date, but I sent it of for galvanising today so will take some more on wednesday. Essentially its all built, the generator box has a frame inside which is hinged of the bumper post with 3 rose joint hinges. I've trialed it, and it takes the weight fine, only a tiny bit of flex in the post (as to be expected with 100kg on it). Two jerry cans are also being mounted on top of the generator box. Anyway, enough chat, i'll get some pics of it assembled when i have it back.
Last edited:
Anton2k3
Adventurer
More pics from last night. Still not got the bumper back from galvanising, but should be back by tonight. I fitted the jerry can racks to the box last night and started on the support system for the door. The runners will be extended to sit on the door when its open so that the generator can be pulled out for re-fuelling. Door will be supported by wire rope. Can see the frame in the box, this is what takes all of the weight. The rose joint hinges are inserted into the post of this frame to hang off the up-right on the bumper. Also had to add a light cluster to the box as the one on the bumper will not be visible with the box in place. Similarly, there is also a number plate and associated light on the back of the box. More pics tomorrow when i'll hopefully have it all mounted.
Pics:
Pics:
Anton2k3
Adventurer
Well, just back from a few weeks in Europe, so thought id finally pop some finished pics up. I didn't quite work as intended, I wanted to run it in the box, however it gets too hot. I tried fitting a couple of bathroom extractor fans, but it destroyed those within half an hour. I will get it to run in box, need some high temperature fans and straight exhaust out the side (had it pointing down before). Once I have this working, I'll extend key start wiring into living space for remote start.
Anyway here are the pics:
Ta
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Anyway here are the pics:
Ta
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Anton2k3
Adventurer
Uprating Rear Suspension
Hi guys,
So the generator rack turned out great, but when we were in Europe I noticed when tanks all pressed full and were full laden, it was riding pretty low and pretty close to the bump stops on the rear. So, I need to do something about it. I'm thinking of either upgrading the spring packs, fitting some helper springs, or air bags. Anyone got any suggestions, and places to go for the gear? I don't mind fabricating anything, and want to keep it 'good value'!
On a side note, i've started to plan the mods to allow generator to run in the box. I'm installing some high temperature fans, but want them to run when the generator is turned off for 5 mins to cool the box. So i'm going to install some on/off relays and a change over relay. In theory, the fans should run off the generator when its turned on, and when turned off, the power to the fans will automatically change over to the inverter and run for 5 mins after shut down. Planned installation date March 2012 (as i'm in SG now), so if anyone has any better ideas, let me know!
Andylod, any updates on the diff lock?
Ta,
Hi guys,
So the generator rack turned out great, but when we were in Europe I noticed when tanks all pressed full and were full laden, it was riding pretty low and pretty close to the bump stops on the rear. So, I need to do something about it. I'm thinking of either upgrading the spring packs, fitting some helper springs, or air bags. Anyone got any suggestions, and places to go for the gear? I don't mind fabricating anything, and want to keep it 'good value'!
On a side note, i've started to plan the mods to allow generator to run in the box. I'm installing some high temperature fans, but want them to run when the generator is turned off for 5 mins to cool the box. So i'm going to install some on/off relays and a change over relay. In theory, the fans should run off the generator when its turned on, and when turned off, the power to the fans will automatically change over to the inverter and run for 5 mins after shut down. Planned installation date March 2012 (as i'm in SG now), so if anyone has any better ideas, let me know!
Andylod, any updates on the diff lock?
Ta,
Anton,
I'm actually visiting Drive Rite (http://www.driveriteair.com/en/) today to see what they can do regarding airbags on my Vario. Their head engineering guy is going to come look at the van to see what's possible. I'm actually more interested in making the suspension softer. I'll let you know how I get on.
Regarding the fans in the box. Why not set the fans up to blow air into the box rather than extract it? That way they won't get cooked.
Ian
I'm actually visiting Drive Rite (http://www.driveriteair.com/en/) today to see what they can do regarding airbags on my Vario. Their head engineering guy is going to come look at the van to see what's possible. I'm actually more interested in making the suspension softer. I'll let you know how I get on.
Regarding the fans in the box. Why not set the fans up to blow air into the box rather than extract it? That way they won't get cooked.
Ian
andylod
Tea Drinker :-)
Hi Anton
The diff lock is posing more of a problem than first thought. You can see in the picture the sliding clutch part, this needs to locate into the end of the bearing journal which is also the crown wheel. having now removed the crown wheel 2 of our local engineering shops says its too big to fit on their surface grinders. I have 2x other options which are spark erosion or grind by hand.
I think it could have worked out more cost effective to have have bought another vehicle from the Irish Auctions and removed the parts. :sombrero:
Andy
The diff lock is posing more of a problem than first thought. You can see in the picture the sliding clutch part, this needs to locate into the end of the bearing journal which is also the crown wheel. having now removed the crown wheel 2 of our local engineering shops says its too big to fit on their surface grinders. I have 2x other options which are spark erosion or grind by hand.
I think it could have worked out more cost effective to have have bought another vehicle from the Irish Auctions and removed the parts. :sombrero:
Andy
andylod
Tea Drinker :-)
Hi Ian
I think a lot of the bus versions of the vario have softer or possibly air suspension ....... try http://www.erithcommercials.co.uk
Andy
I think a lot of the bus versions of the vario have softer or possibly air suspension ....... try http://www.erithcommercials.co.uk
Andy
nick disjunkt
Adventurer
Hi Anton,
You don't say where you are based, but there is a spring specialist in Wembley, UK who who will make or modifiy any springs. They are experts and I and many friends have used them.
http://www.paddingtonmotorspringsltd.co.uk/
Make sure you don't make the springs too stiff or it'll be an uncomfortable ride.
Nigel Evans
Observer
Springs - this is probably a silly comment but I was surprised at how little suspension travel there is on these trucks. From memory about 70mm on my 4x4. Are you running close or over 5.8 tonne on the back axle?
Fan-If you do decide that blowing will work you could use a standard fan with built in over run timer. These cost about £10 on eBay. 12 or 240v are available, the problem is you'll be fitting the wrong way round with the fan motor exposed to the elements. This may not be a problem with the low voltage models as they are designed to be used in showers. I think it would be easier to use a thermo switch with a permanent low volt supply rather than the over run.
I did find a heat resistant fan at around £75 including thermo relay (http://www.dealec.co.uk/acatalog/mmotors_vok_heat_resistant_inline_fans.html). If you connect to the inverter it'll just turn on and off as required.
Fan-If you do decide that blowing will work you could use a standard fan with built in over run timer. These cost about £10 on eBay. 12 or 240v are available, the problem is you'll be fitting the wrong way round with the fan motor exposed to the elements. This may not be a problem with the low voltage models as they are designed to be used in showers. I think it would be easier to use a thermo switch with a permanent low volt supply rather than the over run.
I did find a heat resistant fan at around £75 including thermo relay (http://www.dealec.co.uk/acatalog/mmotors_vok_heat_resistant_inline_fans.html). If you connect to the inverter it'll just turn on and off as required.
Completely different mounting to the 4x4 and does not have enough articulation. So I've been told.
Drive Rite have bags and plumbing would fit the bill - I just need to work out how to fabricate the mounts. The guy was very informative and pointed out some things I'd have never thought of around chassis flex etc.
The bags are only 150ish each.
If anyone IS interested in sourcing a Vario 4x4 then these are the two auction houses
http://www.hanleysales.com/ and
http://www.irishcarauctions.ie/
I don't think any more are scheduled this side of Christmas though.
Anton2k3
Adventurer
Thanks for all the replies guys. Airbags are something I have considered. I don't mind fabbing up my own mounts, but not sure how easy it is going to be to install a control system. I really need to get down to a weigh bridge and find out how much weight I have over the back axle, but I doubt i'm maxing it out. Maybe vario's do just have a small travel range on the rear suspension. I noticed the bumpstop caps/receivers are hollow, so there is more travel than I thought.
I thought about blowing air into the box, but like you have pointed out, the motors would be exposed. I think i'm going to try some of the high temp fans, sucking air out. The box has holes cut into the bottom, so in theory this should draw cool air over the generator to cool it. I also made a mistake on the exhaust, fitting a right angle piece and having it coming out the bottom. This meant that all of the heat from it was being transferred to the box. I'm going to fit the exhaust straight out the side with minimal length to limit the heat transfer.
Regarding the powering of the fans, I wanted them to be powered off the generator while its running rather than the inverter in order to allow the batteries to charge at maximum rate. Although in principle the generator will be supplying the power either way, as i only want to run the generator occasionally, I want the batteries charging at full whack.
Andy, do you have a cost estimation yet? I cant quite work out from that picture which bit needs to be ground down? It will be worth all the effort!
Thanks,
I thought about blowing air into the box, but like you have pointed out, the motors would be exposed. I think i'm going to try some of the high temp fans, sucking air out. The box has holes cut into the bottom, so in theory this should draw cool air over the generator to cool it. I also made a mistake on the exhaust, fitting a right angle piece and having it coming out the bottom. This meant that all of the heat from it was being transferred to the box. I'm going to fit the exhaust straight out the side with minimal length to limit the heat transfer.
Regarding the powering of the fans, I wanted them to be powered off the generator while its running rather than the inverter in order to allow the batteries to charge at maximum rate. Although in principle the generator will be supplying the power either way, as i only want to run the generator occasionally, I want the batteries charging at full whack.
Andy, do you have a cost estimation yet? I cant quite work out from that picture which bit needs to be ground down? It will be worth all the effort!
Thanks,
LukeH
Adventurer
Before committing to expensive and totally bespoke mods on your diff I suggest you check and see if there is a Detroit or No-spin unit available to replace your diff cage. I'v had one for over a decade now in a hard working pickup and it's brilliant! Just fit and forget; no wires, airlines or anything. I love it. It isn't a real differential and only drives the inside wheel on a tar road bend, so it does affect your turning radius a it but apart from that it's so cleverly simple.
Now some big horsepower locker haters are going to pop up and point out that as it only drives one side in a curveyou could pop a half shaft but that's with unlimited grip and a huge american style engine. Your puny 130hp is not going to scare the mercedes half shafts.
Having said that I hope there's one for your size.
spring helpers look up the Aeon rubber thread on the mitsubishi section of this forum. No personal experience but they look like the simplest solution.
Now some big horsepower locker haters are going to pop up and point out that as it only drives one side in a curveyou could pop a half shaft but that's with unlimited grip and a huge american style engine. Your puny 130hp is not going to scare the mercedes half shafts.
Having said that I hope there's one for your size.
spring helpers look up the Aeon rubber thread on the mitsubishi section of this forum. No personal experience but they look like the simplest solution.
If your Vario comes with air assisted brakes and therefore has a compressor then a simple airbag "control" system would be very easy. Two rocker air switches and some pipes. The guy in DriveRite showed me the parts.
If it doesn't then you can either fit a pump (expensive) or simply inflate via Schrader valves.
How about you fabricate two sets of mounts and I do the plumbing
