|
Automotive
Dynamometers... The Hardware, what it is, and what it
does!
Rollers or drums that the vehicles wheels sit on:
These either transmit the power to the "brake" in the case
of braked dynamometers, or are heavy solid steel drum or
drums that absorb and store the power & energy during the
run.
Dynamometer Chassis:
Basically
just a metal frame that supports roller or drum mountings,
and vehicle tie down points, and fans / extractors etc.
Cooling Fans:
These are essential equipment! They do not only
stop your vehicle from "overheating" but should also provide
enough air for continual back to back accurate runs without
heat soak in the vehicle to begin effecting the recorded
power curves. This mean A LOT OF AIR is required!
Exhaust Extractor
More
essential equipment! It both stops people inside the
building from getting poisoned! and arguably more
important, it stops the dyno test room from getting both
hotter, or having exhaust gas pollution which reduces an
engines power.
Room Ventilation!
Essential,
because as the engine and the exhaust extractor remove air
from the room it must be replaced! Open some large
windows or doors if nothing else because otherwise the rooms
pressure will drop giving lower power.
Computer
They get
everywhere don't they? Well this one will be needed to
log and display all your results on a modern dyno system.
Brake
On a braked
dyno system there has to be "something" that balances
against the power your engine is making. On most
modern systems this is usually an "electric" EMF brake,
located alongside the rollers that your wheels will be
driving. Basically it generates electricity, and then
feeds it back to cause a load. Sometimes water or a
big disk brake is used instead. |
