Senior Engineering Project - Need Feedback Please

Lightweight BigDog

Lightweight BigDog

Little Man on a Big Dog!
Calendar Participant
Whether the feedback is pos/neg does not matter just need your thoughts. My senior design project I am building a warm storage unit for my BD.

Uses a cork underlayment as in insulator to the cold garage floor. On top of the cork will utilize 120v wire heat elements similar to what you find in heated floor tiles. The heat element will be controlled with a auto prog. thermostat with built in GFCI protection. On top of the wire will be heavy duty non-skid rubber mat similar to what you find in a machine shop etc. 3 of the 4 sides will be encased allow you to roll your bike onto the unit.

Have not figured it out just yet but prob. have a vinyl cover that snaps/velcros to the bottom unit to trap the heat. Plan to use desiccant packets (silica gel) to control any moisture.

This is a generic description and have further details if anybody cares to comment. Your opinions good or bad will be used for my research paper! Thanks in advance for any input! :2thumbs:
 
W

woodbutcher

Mr. Old Fart member #145
Staff member
instead of vinyl, how about the foil mylar used for survival blankets?

be simpler just to roll it into the living room!
 
N8KAM

N8KAM

Well-Known Member
I just heat the garage... :2thumbs: Never go's below 45* and no spring time dew issues..
 
Lightweight BigDog

Lightweight BigDog

Little Man on a Big Dog!
Calendar Participant
RCAdd1ct said:
You will need a spot that the side stand will not mush into for two reasons.

One, the keep the bike from leaning to far over.

Two, to keep localised pressure off the heating element.

I have looked at these for ease of use.....might skew your ideas, but you asked.

Motorcycle Covers, Motorcycle Shelter, Enclosed Motorcycle Cover - Bike Barn
Click to expand...
No .... Thats a good link! The prob I see with that is the size and it still allows the tires to come in contact with the cement (Dry Rot). I have limited space in my garage and the "barn" is pretty damn big! I am thinking a base unit thats really no bigger than the bike and then a cover that drapes over it for minimal space useage. Appreciate the comments good and bad! Yeah! Wish I lived in Fla as well! :bang:
 
BWG56

BWG56

Guru
I think you should not put heat in it. Heating it and having a difference in temp from outside to inside is going to creat moisture. Put the silica packs in there but skip the heat. I park mine on a rubber horse matt that I purchased from tractor supply, hard rubber and it supports the kick stand. Don't forget the tender for the battery if you don't pull it.
 
RubWhore

RubWhore

Asshole Extraordinaire
This thread reminds me of my youth and trying not freeze my ass off at thirty below outside of Chicago when I was young so glad I moved South
 
RCAdd1ct

RCAdd1ct

JAFO
Also, if you lift the bike up off the tires they will not flat spot. The bike will take up less floor space. You can also use it for a maintenance device to clean the wheels or whatever.
 
Z

Zenman

Member
infloor heating elements sound like overkill to me. To conduct heat you need mass - rubber is an insulator. Having lived up North for some time, we used to keep our water well from freezing with a simple cheap heating element... and it didn't cost bugger all... a 60 watt light bulb for $0.60 plus juice... and a couple inches of styrofoam on the lid. Cheap and easy. To add some 21st tech, stay with your thermostat idea. The key to a successful design project is a phylosophy of "lowest total cost of ownership" ie. cost of capital + cost of labor+ cost of maintenance/op all needs to be optimized. That's my 2 cents after a few beers - sorry for the ramble and good luck! Cool subject man!
 
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