A (user requested) "Pop-up Notes edit box during first Save As" preference has been added. When checked, the Run Information Notes window appears when a new run is initially saved. This allows entering (or updating) notes about the run while the results are fresh in your mind.

An "Enable Range Check verification of Run Information fields" preference, if checked, displays warning messages (upon New Run) if data violate pre-set parameters. “Pro” users can modify the allowable min/max limits in “Tools -Run Information Range Check…”

An "Erase" recording button added to manual recording Console (replacing the infrequently used Capture button). Note: Pressing “C” on the keyboard will still invoke a data set capture.

The “Pro+” Version now supports Real-Time DDE via OLE to Excel 2000. This bi-directional link allows Excel to access (display, chart, save, print, etc.) any of DYNO-MAX’s Formula information -during actual engine testing. You can even (optionally) control live testing based on your Excel keystrokes and calculations!

There are too many enhancements to list here, but you can check them all out in the DYNO-MAX 2000 Support section of our web site!

DYNOmite Race Course Simulation Dynamometer!*

*This article first appeared in Circle Track magazine.

Many Circle Track racers have explored the idea of using chassis dynamometers to help them develop faster and more reliable combinations (without chewing up valuable track test time). The idea is certainly alluring. Simply drive your car onto some high inertia rolls, hit the gas to get a power reading, and start making changes to see what works. Alas, like most things in life, it’s a bit more complicated when you really get into it!

First, you’re probably already making big power – at least a lot more than most street guys really make. Therefore, getting traction between the tires and rollers is more involved than it is for testing grocery haulers. High power requires high traction, and unfortunately, small rolls require lots of strap down pressure to reliably transmit 400+ wheel horsepower. Excess pressure deforms tires around the small roll contact area. Besides robbing power, this overheats and damages the tires during lengthy race simulations. So, to provide most of the traction from gravity alone, you need large diameter rolls (at least two or more feet in diameter) with grooved contact surfaces.

Next, if your dynamometer is going to be suitable for anything other than “carnival smoke shows,” it requires a computer-controlled absorber equipped with a torque measuring load cell. This allows capturing much more than just flash inertial acceleration data. While some drag cars might get at least tidbits of useful information from a few seconds of inertia only spin-up, circle track engines must run longer (under real-world loads) to return meaningful test results. You want to be able to see what happens to the power as water jacket and oil temperatures stabilize, etc. That’s why Land & Sea builds large diameter roll chassis dynos with computer-controlled absorbers that handle up to 1,200 Hp.

However, mating a chassis dyno that can handle long duration race speeds and a computer-controlled absorber that simulates on-track drag loads is only part of the equation. Ultimately the dynamometer’s Data Acquisition & Control Software makes or breaks your system’s usefulness (Imagine if the latest 1+ gigahertz PC only ran DOS!). Fortunately, these systems utilize DYNO-MAX 2000 “Pro” software. Besides handling user programmed racecourse simulations, DYNO-MAX can also automatically and “intelligently” simulate appropriate loads (real-time) based on the driver’s throttle movements. With optional electronic throttle control, the driver doesn’t even need to provide that! As Land & Sea reminds us, powerful and flexible control software soon becomes the dyno, whereas a weak program just becomes a straight jacket!

sales@land-and-sea.com

New Motorcycle/ATV Chassis Dynamometer!

A new arrival to Land & Sea’s innovative line of dynamometer equipment is this combination Motorcycle/ATV Chassis Dynamometer. Like 2 dynos in 1 package, it tests most motorcycles and ATV’s.

Extra roller and deck width not only accommodates the track of ATV’s, but this wider and lower platform provides a more secure feeling during high speed 200 Hp bike pulls. You don't feel like your riding on a tightrope!

Like all DYNOmite chassis dynamometers, this ones not limited to simple inertial acceleration testing. Add our optional load controlled absorber and torque transducer, and its ready for steady-state fuel calibration or drivability troubleshooting – right in your shop! Each roller is specially grooved (for low speed traction) and dynamically balanced (for high speed testing).

This dyno shares another feature with Land & Sea's high end automotive chassis dynamometers. It has a heavy-duty steel frame, not a thin sheet metal body! Rigidity reduces torque measurement errors (that show up as unexplainable graph oscillation).

You can team this dyno with our industry leading DYNO-MAX 2000 “Pro” data acquisition software. Doing so allows you to run an incredible array of tests, graph those results, and output presentation quality reports to customers. Other DYNO-MAX 2000 “Pro” features include: multiple real-time consoles, voice alarms (the dyno can speak to you), road load simulation, multi-graph overlays and run averaging, custom report designer (your shops logo on the reports), etc. makes this one of the most sophisticated Motorcycle/ATV chassis dynamometers on the market.