Is this similar to the AiRock or different? And if different in what way? I'm always interested in things like this.
Theft resistant storage bags
- Thread starter jscherb
- Start date
Is this similar to the AiRock or different? And if different in what way? I'm always interested in things like this.
Being more of an overlander than a rock crawler, for the first implementation I'm focusing on load leveling. When you put a roof top tent, a kitchen + fridge and other camping gear in any stock Wrangler you have tail-dragging issues. I've got Airlift 1000 air bags in the rear springs of all three of my Jeeps for load leveling purposes, and pressure in them is currently managed with a Schrader valve
.So while my initial implementation is aimed at that application, the basic components and design can be implemented in many ways and for other purposes. Implementing a different type of air bags, say bags like those with the AiRock system, shouldn't be a problem. As currently designed, the microprocessor reads the pressure from the air bags, compares it to the desired pressure (set with up/down buttons and displayed on an OLED display) and either runs the compressor until the desired pressure is reached or opens an valve to release pressure if the desired pressure is lower than the current pressure. If the pressure changes for any reason (change in altitude or change temperature can affect pressure in the bags, for example, or maybe a slow leak in the airbag plumbing), the microprocessor will detect the change and automatically adjust back to the desired pressure.
Phase 1 of the prototype implementation assumes both bags are plumbed together; phase 2 will allow for different pressures on different sides of the Jeep (or different corners in a 4-bag system). BTW in my hundreds of thousands of miles (literally) with the air bags in my Jeeps, I've never felt the need to have different pressures on different sides of the Jeep so that's why phase 1 is a single pressure, but I understand some people may want different pressures in different air bags so that can be easily accommodated in later phases of the implementation.
All of the individiual components are tested and working - pressure transducers to feed data to the microprocessor, microprocessor control of the compressor and release valves, and getting input from the user and displaying it on the OLED display. Code fragments for each of those functions are complete and I'm now integrating all of the code into a single program.
The OLED display on the breadboard just FYI:
I'd use a larger display for 4-bag implementations that allow different pressures each bag, but for single pressure systems or 2-bag systems this display will be large enough to display everything.
It's been a fun project so far, it's been a long time since I've written any code or done any serious electronics design so it's good to exercise that part of my brain again. After I complete the prototype implementation I'll share it with the compressor company and take the design whatever direction they want me to (assuming they want to go further with it).
And back to the subject of this thread - I've ordered a few yards of puncture resistant zipper stock so as soon as that arrives I'll sew a prototype theft-resistant roll bar bag and post photos. It'll be similar in size and shape to the OO roll bar bag that I keep on the vertical bar behind my seat (it also works great in other places on the roll bars), but will have a flap over the zipper to improve weather resistance, theft-resistant mounting and a puncture resistant zipper with provisions for locking.
And if anyone has idea for a different style of theft-resistant bag than I've posted about, I'd love to hear your ideas - let me know and maybe I'll sew a prototype of your idea too.
Being more of an overlander than a rock crawler, for the first implementation I'm focusing on load leveling. When you put a roof top tent, a kitchen + fridge and other camping gear in any stock Wrangler you have tail-dragging issues. I've got Airlift 1000 air bags in the rear springs of all three of my Jeeps for load leveling purposes, and pressure in them is currently managed with a Schrader valve
So while my initial implementation is aimed at that application, the basic components and design can be implemented in many ways and for other purposes. Implementing a different type of air bags, say bags like those with the AiRock system, shouldn't be a problem. As currently designed, the microprocessor reads the pressure from the air bags, compares it to the desired pressure (set with up/down buttons and displayed on an OLED display) and either runs the compressor until the desired pressure is reached or opens an valve to release pressure if the desired pressure is lower than the current pressure. If the pressure changes for any reason (change in altitude or change temperature can affect pressure in the bags, for example, or maybe a slow leak in the airbag plumbing), the microprocessor will detect the change and automatically adjust back to the desired pressure.
Phase 1 of the prototype implementation assumes both bags are plumbed together; phase 2 will allow for different pressures on different sides of the Jeep (or different corners in a 4-bag system). BTW in my hundreds of thousands of miles (literally) with the air bags in my Jeeps, I've never felt the need to have different pressures on different sides of the Jeep so that's why phase 1 is a single pressure, but I understand some people may want different pressures in different air bags so that can be easily accommodated in later phases of the implementation.
All of the individiual components are tested and working - pressure transducers to feed data to the microprocessor, microprocessor control of the compressor and release valves, and getting input from the user and displaying it on the OLED display. Code fragments for each of those functions are complete and I'm now integrating all of the code into a single program.
The OLED display on the breadboard just FYI:
View attachment 437311
I'd use a larger display for 4-bag implementations that allow different pressures each bag, but for single pressure systems or 2-bag systems this display will be large enough to display everything.
It's been a fun project so far, it's been a long time since I've written any code or done any serious electronics design so it's good to exercise that part of my brain again. After I complete the prototype implementation I'll share it with the compressor company and take the design whatever direction they want me to (assuming they want to go further with it).
That is a good idea especially for LJ's with the popularity of overlanding what it is. A system a little nicer than just a gauge & fill/deflate button would IMO be a plus for that crowd. I can honestly say that I enjoy being able to adjust each corner of the Jeep by adding of deflating each air spring. I've never ran the type of system that you're currently developing so I can't offer much input in that area but I have 5+ years of experience with the AiRock system so if I could be of any help the offer is there.
I'm getting close to finishing my current redo/overhaul and will be really pushing the envelope with the air springs that ORO uses on their 6" system. I've gone to 12" travel shocks on all 4 corners. I built custom mounts for the rear air springs and moved the front mounts forward as I was stretching the WB.
Always enjoy reading your about your current projects & some of the interesting things that you develop. Thanks for sharing.
I sewed a prototype theft-resistant/weather-resistant roll bar bag this morning. I used the same dimensions as the Overland Outfitters roll bar bag, but made these changes:
- DWR-treated (durable water resistant) ripstop polyester fabric
- Puncture-resistant zipper almost impossible to break into
- Theft-resistant mounting straps, can't be undone without access to inside of bag
- Provision for lock at closed end of zipper.
Most roll bar bags have buckles that are accessible so the bag can be unbuckled and taken. This is an Overland Outfitters roll bag bag, it's got cam buckles and also d-rings to secure any excess length of strap:
This new bag has the buckles on the inside, so it can't be unbuckled without access to the inside of the bag:
The new bag also has a puncture-resistant zipper. As discussed earlier in the thread, most standard zippers can be separated by poking a pen into them. These zippers are pretty much immune to opening with a pen. This photo shows a standard zipper (left) and a puncture-resistant zipper (right). You can see that the puncture-resistant zipper has two rows of teeth.
Zippers aren't watertight, so this bag has a flap that covers the zipper. It also has a hasp at the closed end of the zipper for a small padlock. There's an elastic strap to hold the lock and keep it from swinging around.
In two places in my LJ:
With the theft resistance it's a good place to store a tool roll...
In my JKU, also showing the theft-resistant inner fender bag:
This roll bar bag is a proof-of-concept prototype and there are a few details I would change if I were to sew another one or if it were to be picked up for production, but I'm pretty happy with it so far.
- DWR-treated (durable water resistant) ripstop polyester fabric
- Puncture-resistant zipper almost impossible to break into
- Theft-resistant mounting straps, can't be undone without access to inside of bag
- Provision for lock at closed end of zipper.
Most roll bar bags have buckles that are accessible so the bag can be unbuckled and taken. This is an Overland Outfitters roll bag bag, it's got cam buckles and also d-rings to secure any excess length of strap:
This new bag has the buckles on the inside, so it can't be unbuckled without access to the inside of the bag:
The new bag also has a puncture-resistant zipper. As discussed earlier in the thread, most standard zippers can be separated by poking a pen into them. These zippers are pretty much immune to opening with a pen. This photo shows a standard zipper (left) and a puncture-resistant zipper (right). You can see that the puncture-resistant zipper has two rows of teeth.
Zippers aren't watertight, so this bag has a flap that covers the zipper. It also has a hasp at the closed end of the zipper for a small padlock. There's an elastic strap to hold the lock and keep it from swinging around.
In two places in my LJ:
With the theft resistance it's a good place to store a tool roll...
In my JKU, also showing the theft-resistant inner fender bag:
This roll bar bag is a proof-of-concept prototype and there are a few details I would change if I were to sew another one or if it were to be picked up for production, but I'm pretty happy with it so far.
Similar threads
