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Guys, need some advice from electronics guru here. As per title, I'm trying to come up it. Trying to get a motorized flap that with a flick of a switch, it'll pull up the cover and retract to close. How can this be done? Stepper motor with arduino or other simpler methods like using them auto plate covers to hide plates from speed cameras?

Reason being, i need covers for the bars i have on my rack. Not interested in using current covers ie: rigid industries covers- found through my experience, too often in putting on and off the covers, makes the light bars susceptible to water ingress. Plus regulation demands all light on roof racks be covered when on road.

All constructive ideas are much appreciated.

Thanks in advance. Tim

Awesome idea, watching with interest

Hi you could look at using an electronic drop bolt. These are used to lock doors on security system. They push a 15mm bolt into a door frame about 25mm so you could modify it and connect a rod onto something like a piece of hinged perspex. Search the net for brands like padded efs etc in security providers. Maybe you could see if a locksmiths or security company has old old dead one you could play with before buying. They run on 12v

Big O 4x4 does these, donno if this helps





or a number plate flipper

jimmi wrote:
or a number plate flipper

imagine trying to make a getaway in a hilux

The problem with any thin cover that just flips up or down would be that the wind @ 100kmh would simply rip it off. Even if it was 5mm alloy, just secured at either end of the light bar I recon it would bend from the wind force.
If you are dead set on making it motorised a better option would be to roll the entire light bar so it faces down, then when switched on it rotates up again.

Yeah roll the whole bar, would a central locking motor be any any good?

What about a more high tech solution? Electric tinted film?

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/13263 ... _used.html

Shouldn't be tooooooooo exy for something as small as a lightbar.If you're handy you could probably disassemble the bar and mount it on the inside of the glass.

Good ideas indeed. Thank you all. Still keen on doing an automated flap. Please share info on motorized items if you have any for the flap.

StevenS wrote:What about a more high tech solution? Electric tinted film?

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/13263 ... _used.html

Shouldn't be tooooooooo exy for something as small as a lightbar.If you're handy you could probably disassemble the bar and mount it on the inside of the glass.

This is awesome

Might be using a more simpler method. Simple hinge construction with a linear actuator. Waiting for my rigid industries E2 40" to be delivered and custom made roof rack.