DYNO-MAX Version 9.35…
Several new features are included as part of the latest DYNO-MAX 2000 "Pro" update. DYNO-MAX 2000 Version 9.35 SP #0 adds:
Additional Run Information tabs for Diesel, Turbine, Electric, Hydraulic, and Pneumatic motor or Transmission testing, along with a convenient new Dyno configuration tab.
Graphing optionally shows Peak Hp @ RPM callout, runs slightly faster, and boasts more advanced Step Averaging algorithms.
Cut n' paste is available for customizing automated test -and even supports intelligent handling of complicated looping logic jumps.
Console Design Editor's enhanced drag 'n drop interface adds new multi-bulb "thermometer" style vertical gauges.
Still more built-in control, default, system, and user formulas are available, bringing the total to well over 300!
Smart Search™ fuzzy logic instantly finds that important saved run for you -even when your database is huge, you can't remember many details about the test, and misspell key search fields. It amazingly locates the needle in your haystack!
New (separate) Remote DYNO-MAX™ network dynamometer viewer program, plus several other minor tweaks and bug fixes.
This release is available in the DYNO-MAX Support area for free downloading to 9.0 through 9.34 licensees under current support plan.
New AWD DYNOmites…
expand our AWD and 4WD testing options. The inexpensive 12" roll model (below) boasts dual eddy-current absorbers and electric wheelbase adjustment. It's suitable for below or above floor level installation -without the expense of a lift assembly or catwalk.
High Flow Fuel Transducer
For mega power engines, the standard DYNOmite gasoline fuel traducer might not have adequate flow (or require too high a pressure drop). That calls for an upgrade to this new High Flow Fuel Transducer (shown below).
This monster delivers 10x the flow of the our standard unit -at the same 1-1/2 PSI pressure differential. For example, our standard transducer (#430-350) is capable of flowing approximately 50 gallons per hour. Compare that with the High Flow Transducer's 500+ GPH flow (approximately 3,000 lbs/hr). This is enough fuel for over 5,000 horsepower gasoline engines
Remote DYNO-MAX™
This stand alone desktop program is included free on the DYNO-MAX 2000 "Pro" CD. Similar to its wireless Pocket PC “cousin,” Remote DYNO-MAX allows any other wired (or VPN) networked Windows PC to remotely monitor (and even optionally control) a DYNO-MAX 2000 “Pro” test session.
The program's compact viewing window can sit quietly in one corner of your screen, allowing you to "look over the shoulder" of an employee or student running an expensive test engine -even in another building.
Question of the Month...?
“How do I determine the optimum gain, Drift, and Rate settings for my Electronic Load Control?"
Tuning PID (Proportional, Integral, Derivative) controls can seem like more of an art than a science, but if you have a good understating of what each component calculates its actions from, things get easier. Each of the DYNOmite’s PID factor multipliers is explained individually below (in terms of an engine RPM based load control valve). Tip: Doubling any of the Gain, Drift, or Rate factors (whether from 2 to 4 or from 8 to 16) doubles its influence. So, if your combination requires large numbers, you will also need to make proportionally larger changes (to see a noticeable change in behavior).
Gain -(proportional multiplier) adjusts how much the controller instantaneously moves in response to a change in either Engine RPM or Hold RPM (or vehicle speed on a chassis dynamometer). For example, with twice as large a Gain multiplier, the load control’s action (valve travel or current output) doubles -in response to any RPM increase (e.g. from suddenly opening the throttle). Tip: Avoid increasing the Gain multiplier so much that it overcompensates. Ideally the load valve should initially under-compensate a bit, letting the Drift close any remaining RPM deviation within a few seconds – or less.
Important: When your torque vs. RPM slope is extremely steep, limits imposed by a water brake type absorber’s rate of filling or draining time (latency) can make it impossible for any automatic valve to hold a steady RPM. In such cases, you may get some small improvement by going to a dual servo valve combination (to then simultaneously control both the inlet and outlet flow). Additionally, adding rotating mass can stabilize an engine -but adding too much inertia reduces the dynamometer’s ability to simulate transient RPM conditions.
Drift -(integral multiplier) adjusts the load valve’s aggressiveness in removing longer term (1+ second) steady state errors between actual Engine RPM and the desired Hold RPM (or MPH). The larger the Drift multiplier the more quickly the controller works (gradually) to eliminate holding RPM deviation. Tip: Increasing the Drift multiplier too much induces a slow oscillation! So, initially set the Drift entry fairly low (less than 50% of its likely optimum value) while you work out your best Gain and Rate numbers. Once the Gain and Rate #’s seem optimum, experiment with incrementally larger Drift numbers -to reduce the time the Drift algorithm takes to gradually eliminate any remaining deviations between Holding speed and Actual speed.
Rate -(derivative multiplier) helps the controller "fight" changes in actual engine RPM vs. the desired Hold RPM. The Rate multiplier scales the DYNOmite algorithm that compensates for control latency – deciding how far to momentarily "over travel" the load control to steady a rapidly accelerating engine. Tip: If you increase the Rate multiplier too much you may actually cause a rapid oscillation. So, maintain your Gain, Drift, and Rate numbers in relative proportion until you understand how they interact.
Customer Spotlight
Hayes Diversified Technology
...sets the record! Fred Hayes of Hayes Diversified Technologies (HDT) of Hepseria, CA develops diesel motorcycles. It’s an effort which really took shape when the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program awarded him a contract to develop a motorcycle engine that would operate efficiently on Diesel Fuel and Aviation Kerosene (JP8). You can read more about that at www.hdtusa.com, but the really hot news is that HDT has set the first recognized Land Speed Record for diesel fueled motorcycles at Bonneville.
Although there were some initial delays due to track conditions and administrative reasons, once this first AMA/FIM recognized event of its type in the US got under way it was a huge success. Both HDT bikes had stock engines, one normally aspirated, the other turbocharged. Neither bike had any significant aerodynamic modifications. The normally aspirated bike went 85.466 mph against their calculated top speed of 86 mph with production gearing. (The calculated speed was at sea level on hard pavement and the record was set at 4350 feet on soft salt.) Fred thinks if they’d had an option for gearing and more track time, they may have approached 90 mph.
The turbo was a real surprise. Their research, and discussions with turbo suppliers here in the US indicated that they’d be unsuccessful in turbocharging a single cylinder engine. But Fred appears to be rewriting the book on diesel performance -top speed and RPM are not the complete story. The engine accepted the turbocharging with virtually no turbo lag, even though they limited the boost to less than 18 psi. As Fred says “I was able to smoothly and briskly accelerate in the upper gears from as low as 1000 RPM. As the RPM and boost increased, so did the acceleration. Even with the extraordinarily high gearing, I was able to pull away from a stop with minimum clutch work.”
Contact Us
Land & Sea, Inc.
PO Box 96North Salem, NH 03073
(603) 329-5645
www.land-and-sea.com
sales@land-and-sea.com
or visit your
DYNOmite Users Forum
forums.land-and-sea.com
Upcoming Industry Shows!
What: PRI (Performance Racing Industry.) When: December 9-11, 2004 Booth #3635 Where: Indianapolis Convention Center -Illinois
This year we are exhibiting our 24” chassis dyno, the latest DYNOmite Engine Docking Station dyno, Pro Small Engine Dyno, and demonstration DYNO-MAX 2000 "Pro" -Version 9.35,
What: Dealer Expo 2005 (Big Twin East.) When: February 19-21, 2005 Booth #3900 Where: Indianapolis Convention Center -Illinois
Among other things, we will be showing off our amazing Motorcycle/ATV Chassis Dynamometer system, along with our Pro Small Engine dynamometer.
Clean Snowmobile Challenge…
(held March 15-20 at the Houghton Michigan campus of Michigan Tech University) was exciting for Land & Sea to participate in -as always. Of particular interest to us was that 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place went to DYNOmite owners -actually 8 of the top 10 spots!
University of Wisconsin-Madison was number one in this SAE Collegiate competition! They were followed by Colorado State University, University of Idaho, Kettering University, Michigan Tech University, etc. (See results in each category at: www.sae.org/students/csc2004results.xls.)
This SAE collegiate design competition challenges students to re-engineer an existing snowmobile -to reduce emissions and noise while maintaining or improving on the performance characteristics of the original sled. The modified snowmobiles are expected to be both practical and cost-effective to manufacture.
