pic: Simple, Yet Effective Chassis

[Alex Cormier]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Can you explain the rod supports and where they would go?

They would go in between the side plates. for further support. If you have a chance take a look at the 03, 05-08 chassis from 1126.

[Jim E]

You mentioned lexan for the electronics, I prefer 1/4"oak plywood. It weighs less and is more resistant to flexing.

[Ian Curtis]

Originally Posted by Jim E

You mentioned lexan for the electronics, I prefer 1/4"oak plywood. It weighs less and is more resistant to flexing.

How much does it weigh? This year we tried to find a lighter plastic solution than our usual 1/8" lexan with holes cut through under the components and couldn't find one. Have you ever tried using a thinner board?

What are you trying to avoid with a stiffer material? We usually mount ours along the rails with it just resting on the frame cross braces and have never had any issue. One year we even mounted it vertically, and had no flexing problem.

[DGrohnke1023]

For our electronics the past 2 years we have used 1/4" corrugated plastic. I believe it weighs around .25 lbs/ft. The stuff is amazing, you can run wires through it, we even used it for our ramps in 07. I think it also costs less than Lexan as well. I highly recommend the material.

[JesseK]

We usually

Keep in mind that next year's electronics may almost weigh the same, but the weight distributions will be more concentrated due to a more compact design. What we "usually" do for mounting these systems will have to at least be reconsidered next year.

As for the above oak/lexan debate, here's some data. The other mentors and I have always asked ourselves what the real benefit of lexan over other materials was, so I just did some research.

According to matweb a typical lexan sheet has a density of ~0.041 lb/in^3 whereas most solid oak hardwoods have a density of ~0.021 lb/in^3. The flex testing of lexan was done with 1/4" sheets and yielded ~65% flex resistance over with-the-grain testing of oak, yet for almost twice the weight of oak. Hence, for the application of mounting electronics I think it's safe to say that typical 1/8" thick lexan and typical 1/4" thick oak are about equal when considering "will it work".