Modified Console for rib

[two stroke mick]

As some of ye may know I have been pi$$ed off with the console of my rib of late. I was planning to purchase a new one however the front suspension of the car collapsed (potholes) and the washing machine gave up the goast over the last two weeks. This I will have to build/ modify what I have. I went mad with the grinder last night and have now become a "Dust creation specalist"
Post show before and after. I intend to raise the front part of the console (the bit nearest the pointy end of the rib) by about 6". This will allow me to raise the trottle control so it matches the steering wheel.
Regarding the seat I am thinking of trying to construct a suspension unit using a small shock unit circal 200- 250 mm in lenght. If anyone knows where these can be purcahased aat a reasonable price please let me know. The seat to have a parralell bar type system or a sizors type arrangement. A lot depend on the construction price as it would be an experment.

[Mextli]

WOW!

For the shock dampers, maybe you could try bike components...
Seems an interesting project though

[two stroke mick]

I managed to 6" shock absorbers on E bay . So now I need to cost the manifacture of holding system for them

Mountain Bike Rear Suspension Shock Absorber 1500lbs | eBay


TSM

[two stroke mick]

Proposed suspension unit. Please review and comment

[Dhf]

I think its looking a good project, and at 10 quid a go on those shocks i'd be tempted to use 2 or more, maybe if there was 2 on front and 2 on rear angled just right, then maybe you could do away with the other bracing, either way I think your on a good idea there.

[matt120020000]

Quad bike suspension would work for this. I've got a scrap quad, but I'm in Cambridgeshire.

[whisper]

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

Proposed suspension unit. Please review and comment

I'm not a 100% sure on this but I think the positions could be a lot better, for example the 3 sets of fixings need to be spaced equally across the seat base to take the load evenly.

Also you will need to have a decent shock absorber in the centre of your spring.

I'll draw a pic and post it in a bit

[whisper]

As I said, not sure if this is right but here we go.....

(I think the second one could work well)

[xs 400]

is that a single seat? if so one is fine if two you'll need two.

each shock is sag adjustable for the weight of one person by varying the spring compression.

too many shocks and it wouldn't move!

[Bieny]

The shock looks quite short but you could get more movement from the seat by moving the top shock mount half way (or more) down the seat pivot. This will adjust the stiffness but you can fine tune it later.

[mister p]

Well I reckon that simply hinging the seat at the front and letting the rear do the mitigation should work well enough. The fewer moving parts the better. Shroud the scissoring areas to prevent damage to flesh and/or clothing. The mounting points can be adjusted fore and aft to vary suspension rates. Would be quite cool actually, also the seat would still be able to hinge up to access the console from above if the sus. points are fitted with quick release spigots. Aluminium runners..........mmmm, very cool, a bit of anodising and it would look like quite a pro job.

[two stroke mick]

mister p

i like the simplity of your design ie hinge at the front and the shock to ther rear of the seat
tsm

[Festinghouse]

be aware that adjusting the angle of the spring/damper alters it efficiency, ie, if you had a damper rated at 100kg mounted at a 45degree angle, its rating would now be 50kg. its worth remembering also that doing this would increase the effective vertical travel of the seat.

[two stroke mick]

The ulliman web page shows a trace for shock loadings in G forces.
Ullman Range 2013 - Ullman Dynamics - (Version JPG) - Page n° 30 - Catalogue PDF | Documentation | Brochure de bateaux

See page 30.
It should be noted that the max G force experance by the Ribs is circa 12.5 G at Circa 45kn

Kenitic Energy is
KE = 0.5. M. Vel * vel
say mass is 1
then KE for the above mentioned graph is 0.5 *45*45 = 1012.5 units
for 23 kn the same boat has a KE of
KE = 0.5 *23*23 = 264.5 units or 26 % of the engergy of the boat at 45 kn.
It is a reasonable assumption that the Max G Force experance by that boat at 23 kn is 12.5 g *0.26 = 3.25 g

The max crusing speed of my boat is circa 23 kn (max speed circa 28-30 kn)

If I use the firgure of 3.25 G as max shock loading as a base figure for my boat at 23 kn. then the suspension seat must be able to support and deflect my weight of 90 kg by 3.25 G = 292.5 KG.

[mister p]

As must a sponge seat without shock protection.
You nicely tenderise a steak at 23 knots.

[Shark Seats]

Would be interested to see what you came up with in the end TSM, do you have any pics?