Controlling a linear actuator for active aero

[@MafiaboysWorld]

This is the Julian I remember from the Fast Fours days, being the Macgyver of the car community and making the things that car companies used to charge stupid amounts for. Bring back the $50 tech tips brother. 😎👍

[@justinjobe6482]

Brililant video, a huge thing that has stopped me has been the lack of knowledge around programming arduinos, but this would apppear to be far more accessible! I'll be starting with a sliding cover door that will reveal a lightbar installed internally in the front bumper, should be pretty easy as I'll only need a 100% open and 100% closed position. Then on to variable splitter end plates, so I can have a low drag and max downforce option :D

[@asharma9345]

Sir saw your videos. They are excellent and spot on.
Being an engineer myself, you taught me many new things.
Thanks and warm regards.

[@THEOGGUNSHOW]

Thanks a lot for this thoughtful and thorough video

[@JulianEdgar]

My pleasure!

[@redlyne22]

This video just launched my active grill project. Thank you. Great info here!

[@JulianEdgar]

Great, let me know how you get on.

[@med_preventiva]

Interesting, thank you!

[@noneya96]

Don't know ow how this has so little views
Your books are amazing by the way just trying to find the second in hardback in aus is a joke

[@leoarc1061]

This could be a simple way to control trim tabs on experimental aircraft. My only reservation is its reliability. Tests will have to be conducted.
How has your experience been with the controller? Did you experience any failures?

[@JulianEdgar]

I've only bench tested the controller. However I will be using it in an ongoing application soon and I don't think that there will be any problems - pick the appropriate controller for the peak current draw.

[@shinequashie393]

You absolutely need to analyze the Aptera vehicle

[@tiitsaul9036]

Excellent info.

[@jeoffbenzos4959]

How strong of actuator should I be looking for? Assuming about 30cm x 180cm wing

[@JulianEdgar]

Depends where the pivot point is. At the centre of pressure? And does that centre of pressure move? Easiest would be to do some testing.

[@JordanPayneLV]

Thank you for putting this together! Do you think linear actuators can withstand the horizontal forces of being an up-right for a rear wing? Or would the wing need to operate on a track and the actuator is just pushing it up or down.
I’ve also tried to figure out how to use a linear actuator as a front axle lift. Lots of interesting things to think about

[@JulianEdgar]

No a linear actuator isn't designed to withstand such high bending loads so the wing needs to be on a pivot and the actuator changes just wing angle. And none of the ones I have seen are strong enough to lift the front of the car (but maybe they exist and I haven't seen them).

[@JordanPayneLV]

@@JulianEdgar yeah that’s what I thought! Plus the added difficulty of retaining dampening over speed bumps and stuff while the axel is lifted.
Fun engineering problems for sure

[@ELJ666]

Could you make a manual one and does this work with a dual element wing

[@JulianEdgar]

Yes and yes

[@ELJ666]

@@JulianEdgar great because I've only seen it done on single element wings wait formula 1 uses it they have 10 wings in one and they use active aero all over the place

[@ratgreen]

Ah this is perfect! I've been planning on doing this for ages but I was planning on using an Arduino but I have not learned how to code yet, which is a step learning curve. This is exactly what I needed to save the hassle.
I was thinking you could have the pot mounted to the brake peddle, and have the air dam / spoiler gradually come up under high braking.
I just need to find a decent linear actuator that has the high force requirements, good speed and a signal wire, and isnt stupidly expensive. Any recommendations?

[@JulianEdgar]

As mentioned in the video, they're not quick enough for brake-actuated changes, I think. Think maybe 5-10 seconds for full length movement. I have covered actuating an air brake in another video (ie quick changes) using a pneumatic cylinder.

[@JulianEdgar]

And yes, I think programming an Arduino *is* a steep learning curve - but XOD is easy. See ua-cam.com/video/CD2QNoPvwqA/v-deo.html

[@shareitall1011]

@@JulianEdgarhello i cant find your air brake video, can you please tell me the title of it or provide a link? 🙏 im trying to plan a build of a roof spoiler that flips up when the brake light opens

[@yoavrosenbach]

HI,
I love your videos, and I want to start learn from your books, but I don't know where to start.
Can you please recommend the order of reading for your books?
(I'm not interested in one topic, I want to "go to your school", and I want the best rout through your books)
Please be specific because I'm going to buy book by book by that order, not all at once.
Thank you!!!!

[@JulianEdgar]

My broadest overall book on cars and car modification is 21st Century Performance. It is now around 20 years old but probably about 85 per cent is still quite valid. Copies now go for outrageous money (eg US$300) but I have a few second-hand copies that I sell for US$75 each plus postage. I'd probably then read Car Electrical and Electronic Systems (available new). It starts from the simplest circuits imaginable (just a battery and light) and goes right through to engine management, CAN buses, etc. From there I'd probably read Modifying the Aerodynamics of Your Road Car (available new). Again, it starts with an assumption of no knowledge of the subject. From there, the books to read depend on what interests you the most, eg modifying car electronics or aerodynamics - or just engineering in general.

[@yoavrosenbach]

@@JulianEdgar Thank you!
I ordered the 21st Century Performance, found one copy for $25, and I'll continue with your other recommendations.
If you may, I'll be happy to know what are the recommendations for the "interests you" books for each topic, because I would like to learn them all. I'm both interested in the theory and the hands on (I'm a mechanical engineer who like to get his hands dirty). Because you have more then one book on each topic, I didn't understand if they are updated books, or books with different content.
Another question: Is there a difference for you if I buy a new book from Amazon or from other online shop?

[@JulianEdgar]

Good going finding 21st Century Performance for that price!
The books that are complete standalone books that I'd recommend are (including repeating the ones I have already mentioned):
- 21st Century Performance
- Car Electrical and Electronic Systems
- Modifying the Aerodynamics of Your Road Car
- Car Aerodynamic Testing for Road and Track 2nd Edition (some crossover with the Modifying Aerodynamics book but also some significantly updated and improved aero testing techniques)
- Modifying the Electronics of Modern Classic Cars
- Custom Air Suspension
- Car Suspension: - over 120 years of ride and handling
- A Century of Car Aerodynamics: - the science and art of cars and airflow
- DIY Custom Curved Interior Trim Panels
- Honda Insight: One of the most innovative cars of the last 100 years - the anatomy and modification of the Gen 1 (some crossover with Tuning Programmable Engine Management)
- Tuning programmable engine management
- Thoughts about Driving, Car Modification and Life - 15 years of testing new cars and modifying older ones!
- Optimising Car Performance Modifications (some repetition on basic aero testing with the aero books)
- Setting Up a Home Car Workshop
- DIY Loudspeaker Building
- Discovering Engineering That Changed the World (I think probably my best book!)
- Electronic Fun with Cheap eBay Modules
- Small Wheeled Pedal Machines
I think I get slightly more if you buy direct from Amazon, except for the Veloce published books, where they get more if you buy from them (and I get the same).

[@yoavrosenbach]

@@JulianEdgar Thank you again!
It looks like the bookstore read our post, because they cancelled my book order.
How can I contact you for the book purches?

[@JulianEdgar]

For the Veloce published books, buy them straight from Veloce at www.veloce.co.uk. (That is, Car Electrical and Electronic Systems, Modifying the Aerodynamics of Your Road Car, Modifying the Electronics of Modern Classic Cars, Custom Air Suspension, Optimising Car Performance Modifications, Setting Up a Home Car Workshop, Discovering Engineering That Changed the World, Small Wheeled Pedal Machines). For the other books, if you live in a place where Amazon delivers, you can order most of them through me at a saving over retail of around 25 per cent (I need to see which are available for printing in your country before I can fully commit to that). My email address is in the 'About' section of this channel.

[@beachboardfan9544]

Arent they pretty slow moving?

[@JulianEdgar]

Yes, that's why I said in the video that they're not appropriate for - say - operating an air brake.

[@beachboardfan9544]

@@JulianEdgar Ahh mustve missed it 👍

[@JulianEdgar]

Yes, you can use a lever to increase the speed of movement, but obviously the force on the actuator goes up in equal proportion to the increase in speed.