DYNOmite™ News - Land and Sea

DYNOmite NewsSpring 2005 - in this issue:Modular DYNOmites . . . 1DYNO-MAX Version 9.37. 1Tip of the Month! .....29.69 EEPROM Upgrade . . 2Question of the Month...? . 3Customer Spotlight ....3Contact Us .........4DYNOmite Banners ....4Formula SAE 2005 .....4www.land-and-sea.comModular DYNOmite ChassisDynamometers…offerings have been expanded, again, to include a new 30" diameterroll family. These units feature extra wide track widths toaccommodate popular “Dually” pick-ups and other vehicles (up to96"). Like all modular DYNOmite systems, they can be expandedas your business or testing needs grow. You never outgrow or haveto sell off your initial investment!For example, you can put a basic 30" inertia only “dually” wide rollassembly into the ground today. This affordable ($19,950) system,including DYNO-MAX “Lite” software, has no inherent powerlimit - other than what the tires can safely transfer to the tractiongrooved rolls. For typical tires and strap down pressures, thisequates to about 1,200+ Hp.When the need for steady state lading occurs, it is easy to add onone (or two) eddy current (shown above) or AC absorptionmodules. The available absorber capacity options range from 100 towell over 1,200 steady state Hp. Further, for Noise, Vibration, andHarshness testing applications, special direct drive absorbers (nobelt or over drive transmission noise) with super quiet hydrostaticbearings and near-silent roll surfaces are available.If the need for AWD testing later arises, you're still in business!Just install a second steady state unit into a separate pit, leaving theoriginal installation intact. Push-button wheelbase adjustment, withsliding deck plates, accommodates a wide range of vehicle sizes.Better still, electronic axle synchronization eliminates the need forcumbersome (and power robing) drive shafts and requires only asingle DYNO-MAX mouse click to switch between FWD, RWD,or AWD testing modes.DYNO-MAX Version 9.37…(the summer 2005 update to DYNO-MAX 2000 “Pro”) will beavailable in late June. Several user requested enhancements areincluded as part of this release. A few of the new features added inVersion 9.39 include:Custom Console Button Text - “Pro” users may now re-label theirconsoles control buttons. This makes it easier to support customrelay functions and non-English languages.Overlay Data Points Averaging & Difference - now supports“Synch Data Points” even in time averaging mode. This “Pro”feature (to help align the controlling X-axis references) wasformerly only available during Step Mode graphing.“Automatically show Graph...” - preference has been added. Thisforces your customized graph (and/or data points) to immediatelydisplay upon a test's completion. This new preference is in additionto DYNO-MAX's existing controls for automating the printing of acompleted run's graph or data points.Real-Time Trace Chart overlaying - is now supported in the“Pro” version. This allows selecting any saved .run file as the chartbaseline for subsequent tests. Either the scrolling or fixed X-axistrace chart modes may be used during real-time overlaying.PC's “Scroll Lock” key - will now also toggle the “TestCompleted” message off of the Trace Chart. This allows moreclosely examining lines (i.e. overlays) that fall under the text.“Automatically press Brake Button...” - checkbox added to theAutomated Test Wizard (for the Road Sweep and Road Coursetabs). It supports automating the activation of a chassis dyno's endof test braking.2005 - PO Box 96 North Salem, NH 03073 (603) 329-5645 www.land-and-sea.com

Estimated Fuel Flow from CFM/AFR - formula has been added.This allows calculating fuel flow and BSFC data (without a fuelflow transducer) if both AFR (O2) Module and Air Flow Turbinedata are available. This is especially useful for testing some Brigg'skart engines where installation of a conventional in-line fuel flowtransducer is difficult.Estimated Air Flow from AFR*GPH - formula has been added.This allows calculating airflow and BSAC data (without an air flowmeter) if both AFR (O2) Module and Fuel Flow Transducer dataare available. This is especially useful for testing somemulti-carburetor engines where installation of several air flowturbines is difficult.Torque Distribution % - formulas added to allow AWDdynamometers (with independent front and rear axle torquemeasurement) to monitor and output the torque bias of the vehicle.Additional jetting fields - are now available on the two-stroke RunInformation Induction tab. This allows entering the engine's NeedleJet and Needle/Clip information as separate entries.(See our DYNO-MAX Web Support site for more details).Free 9.69 EEPROM Upgrade!DYNOmite-Pro users can upgrade to this version - at no charge! Itincludes both minor bug fixes and several controller relatedenhancements. (See our DYNOmite Web Support site for moredetails).1) For DYNOmite-Pro's with the LCD option installed, additionalWide Band AFR O2 module calibrations are now available(including methanol and ethanol support).2) During power-up, the DYNOmite has always tried tore-synchronize with any attached Automated Electronic Load orThrottle Control device. This synchronisation routine has now beenenhanced to improve success - even with improperlypowered-down control devices.3) When toggling from manual to servo control modes (e.g. Knobto Hold) when no Engine RPM is present, the DYNOmite will doan automatic close - to re-synch.4) At power-off, the DYNOmite now internally stores the lastknown Hold Set-Point as its power-up default.5) A bug in EEPROM 9.62 has been fixed so that when using theServo % Position modes, the DYNOmite will again automaticallyre-synch at the extreme travel limits.Current DYNOmite-PRO board set owners that have theirDYNO-MAX computer connected to the internet should useDYNO-MAX's “Electronics - Display DYNOmite Parameters -Check for Upgrade” button to automatically download and flashupdate to the 9.69 release - at no charge! If your DYNO-MAXcomputer is not on-line, see the DYNOmite Support section (orcontact our technical support department) for information aboutobtaining this upgrade.Tip of the Month!USE YOUR SUPPORT OPTIONS!Frequently questions will arise about how tobest accomplish a setup, maintenance, ortesting procedure. You may want advice ontroubleshooting a component, calibrating atransducer, or using a special DYNOmite orDYNO-MAX 2000 feature. Where do you turn?If you have a DYNOmite hardware (as opposedto software) question, the quickest way to gethelp is to simply phone our support team. It’sfree and, assuming that you did install thesuggested phone in your dyno cell area, fast.E-mailing support@land-and-sea.com withyour questions is another option – especiallyfor those outside the USA. We do respond!For software - training and a year of free e-mailand “Priority Phone Support” is included inthe price of each DYNO-MAX 2000 license.During this period licensees are welcome(encouraged actually) to make frequent use ofour support services. We want you to becomean accomplished user of the most powerfuldynamometer software on the planet!Priority support also allows you to e-mailsupport@land-and-sea.com with your test runfiles - for personalized troubleshooting orsetup assistance. DYNO-MAX even offers a“File - Send To - E-mail Current Run to Land &Sea…” menu choice to automate this process.After the first year, additional 12-month blocksof DYNO-MAX 2000 “Priority Phone Support”may be purchased. This plan allows for freedownloading of any of our “Minor Upgrades”(announced while you are under the PriorityPhone Support). Don't miss out, call yoursalesman today for discounted pricinginformation on support plan extensions.Additionally, our free web Support sectionsare another source for tips and information –even after hours. This includes access to theDYNOmite Users Forum, where you have 24-7access to fellow DYNOmite and DYNO-MAXoperators, technicians, and engineers forasking questions. Register now to try it out!2005 - PO Box 96 North Salem, NH 03073 (603) 329-5645 www.land-and-sea.com

Question of the Month...?“What do dynamometer BSFC #'s tell me?”Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (or BSFC) is the ratio betweenthe engine's fuel mass consumption and the crankshaft power it isproducing. This makes it both a valuable fuel efficiency indicatorand one more useful tool in gauging an engine's state-of-tune.In the USA, the fuel flow for BSFC calculations is normallyexpressed in pounds per hour (lb/hr) while the output units, ofcourse, are in horsepower (Hp). So, our standard formula for BSFCbecomes: lb/Hp-hr . For an engine producing 200 horsepower,while guzzling 100 pounds of gasoline per hour, the equationwould yield 100/200 = 0.50 BSFC. Unlike AFR (Air/Fuel ratio)readings which only reveal the mixture, BSFC data represents thepower provided per fuel unit. AFR and BSFC are not equivalent!The beauty of BSFC #'s are that they remain similar over a widerange of engine sizes (assuming both are of similar mechanicaldesign and compression ratio). For example, a tiny one cylinder50cc four-stroke and a 454ci V8 might both have a BSFC ratio of0.45 lb/Hp-hr (when optimally tuned) at their respective peaktorque points. Thus, if either of these engine's were overly richened,its BSFC might climb into the 0.55 to 0.65 range (because the fuelflow in our equation will be going up as the power is going down).Consider the above example on a dyno that only displayshorsepower. Without the BSFC data, it is harder to know that a richmixture engine is the reason for sub-par output. But, when you alsohave the BSFC numbers in front of you, it aims you at the cause.BSFC values all follow a hooked curve. At idle they run muchhigher - due primarily to the closed throttle pumping losses andexcessive camshaft overlap. Minimum BSFC #'s occur at about thepeak torque operating rage - the most fuel efficient (per Hp)operating point for an engine. As RPM increases towards peakpower, the BSFC rises again, since more fuel energy is consumedjust overcoming the speed induced friction and breathingrestrictions.Below are sample BSFC ranges for several typical engine types.Note, these are provided to illustrate relative BSFC behavior only.Realize that any change that improves the mechanical efficiency ofthe engine (e.g. a dry sump oil pan, electric water pump, lowtension rings, lighter oil, etc.) will also reduce its BSFC values!Engine @ 1,000 @ Peak @ PeakType RPM Torque Hp4-stroke (low compression, carburetor) 0.62 0.47 0.524-stroke (high compression, carburetor) 0.60 0.42 0.474-stroke (high compression, closed loop) 0.52 0.35 0.424-stroke (supercharged, carburetor) 0.75 0.50 0.554-stroke (turbocharged, closed loop) 0.57 0.45 0.502-stroke (low compression, carburetor) 0.85 0.55 0.602-stroke (high compression, carburetor) 0.80 0.50 0.55Diesel 4-stroke 0.35 0.25 0.30Diesel 2-stroke 0.40 0.29 0.34Customer SpotlightRecreational Motorsports...located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa has been a full serviceperformance machine shop and dynamometer facility since 1992.They specialize in ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and karts.Additionally, RM helps the local high school's electric car teamand state college's SAE Baja car program (the dyno being a greatlearning tool for each of them). Today they own three DYNOmitesystems - two with 9" absorbers (both straight vane and the latesttoroidal flow units) plus a 7" kart unit.Their facility boasts the professional 9' x 14' sound proofed cellshown below. Scott Minzenmeyer, president of RecreationalMotorsports, says “The acoustical material on the walls andceiling helps keep the noise level down throughout the entirebuilding - it was a very good investment. With our customuniversal dyno fixture and the Land & Sea DYNO-MAX “Pro”software we are able to handle any kind of testing the customerwants. This makes our dyno room into a very nice profit center.”Those customers range from national champion garden tractorpullers and lawn mower racers to the electric car team - pluseverything in-between. Scott revealed that they have many racersbringing in an assortment of pipes, carburetors, and an array ofmiscellaneous performance parts, just to see which combinationworks best. In many of these situations, all Scott's employeeshave to do is operate the dyno - the customers handle their owntuning - making for very easy work.Another interesting project (for the Kart Dynamometer) isdeveloping racing engines and a line of performance parts fortheir 120cc (mini) snowmobile business. Right now they aredesigning camshafts for these small engines. Scott has found thatwith their electronic load servo they are able to load the enginesthe same way every time. This allows isolating very smallchanges between cams - a big help in shortening the R& D cycle.For more information you can call them at 319-365-5391, or visittheir website at www.recmotor.com.2005 - PO Box 96 North Salem, NH 03073 (603) 329-5645 www.land-and-sea.com

PO Box 96 North Salem, NH 03073PRSRT STDU.S. PostagePAIDNashua, NHPermit # 375Contact Us...Land & Sea, Inc.PO Box 96North Salem, NH 03073(603) 329-5645www.land-and-sea.comsales@land-and-sea.comor visit yourDYNOmite Users' Forumwww.land-and-sea.com/forumsDYNOmite Banners and SignsAttractive advertising materials are now available to all owners ofDYNOmite dynamometer systems. Two sizes of the all weathervinyl banners (below) are offered - at below cost. The 3' x 8' bannercosts $49.99 while a 4' x 10' is $99.99. Additionally a high quality3' x 5' painted aluminum sign - suitable for permanent outsidemounting - is $199. If you want to boost your income, call today!Formula SAE 2005 Results...Once again Land & Sea was selected to handle all the on-sitedynamometer testing for this May's FSAE competition in Pontiac,MI. This involves checking the power and helping any of the 120teams tune these amazing vehicles for optimum performance andeconomy. Check out the results yourself at:http://www.sae.org/students/fsae2005results.xlsLand & Sea's Dick Locke and Tom Nestor (above from left toright) had to run several hundred pulls for the teams. Theyconducted everything from simple power verification sweeps tolengthy steady state pulls and simulated road load cycles - forre-mapping the car's engine management fuel and injection curves.Once again 1st place overall went to a DYNOmite owner, CornellUniversity. Interestingly, the top 3 finishers (and over half of thetop 20 teams) were all DYNOmite owners. Impressive job guys!2005 - PO Box 96 North Salem, NH 03073 (603) 329-5645 www.land-and-sea.com