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Talking about windshield wipers and comparing them may seem boring, that is, until that unexpected winter storm comes along while driving alone on a curvy highway. Sometimes we get so caught up with the major things going on with our cars that we forget about the little things.

Rain-X and Bosch are the number one and number two windshield wipers sold on the market. Although they both may look the same, the two companies manufacture distinct products that may interest consumers.

Traditional Wiper Blades

A traditional blade has plastic or metal brackets connecting the rubber part of the blade to the vehicle’s wiper arm. The problem is that snow and ice usually build up on these parts, reducing the blade’s wiping efficiency. Older cars use these traditional wipers and both Bosh and Rain X still produce them.

Bracketless Blades

Both companies manufacture bracketless wiper blades (beam blades). Bracketless blades have no joints or hinges, which prevents snow and ice from collecting on the blade. They are sleek in style. Bosch and Rain X design their bracketless blades to resist heavy rain, snow and ice through a beading process, which improves the driver’s visibility during heavy storms. There is also a wind spoiler on both Bosch’s and Rain X’s bracketless products that help blades cling to windshields better and reduce wiper noises.

Okay, now let’s compare Bosch and Rain X!

Rain X Latitude and Repel Blades (Bracketless)

Rain X markets their next-generation Latitude and Repel bracketless wiper blades by claiming they are easy to install, they give drivers a high-performance wipe and their frame is ice resistant. Latitudes and Repels are graphite-coated wipers with a uniform pressure design. These blades fit all vehicles and are now number one in the wiper blade market. Rain X places a wind spoiler on them to reduce wiper noise.

There is only one difference between Latitude and Repel blades. Repel blades come with Rain X’s patented water beading technology, which is a chemical treatment that is placed on the windshield during installation and activates when using the wiper in wet weather.

Rain X Bracket Blades

Rain X adds galvanized steel to their Weatherbeater bracket wiper blades from to prevent rusting. The experts at Rain X claim that the Weatherbeater is “Consumer Rated best in wet weather driving visibility.”

Bosch Evolution (Bracketless)

Bosch has made wiper blades for over 75 years. Their top of the line wiper blade, Evolution, is a bracketless blade made with a special blend of steel and graphite. Bosch puts two steel tension springs on the Evolution used for hugging a vehicle’s windshield. This wiper has a multi-functioning aerodynamic wind spoiler that blocks snow and ice for reaching the wiper’s tensions springs and uses outside air to push the blade closer to the windshield.

Bosch DirectConnect Wiper Blades

This precision cut blade uses natural rubber, and it has an aerodynamic steel frame that Bosch coats with zinc primer to resist rusting. Consumers install the blade using Bosch’s trademark DirectConnect feature that gives them a one-step process when exchanging the blades on their vehicles.

Bosch MicroEdge Wiper Blades

MicroEdge has all the features of the DirectConnect and includes fully enclosed tension springs for better weather protection. The blade also incorporates Bosch’s trademark Quiet-Glide technology, which reduces the blade’s noise when in use.

Bosch Excel+ Wiper Blades

This blade has all the features of the MicroEdge and includes a dual rubber compound on the blade for harder wiping. The wiper also lasts twice as long as Bosch’s other bracket blades.

Bosch ICON Wiper Blades

This blade has all the features of the Excel+ and includes a pre-installed weather shield connector that protects wiper arms from rusting.

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Source by Trey Dawson

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Everybody wants to pass their driver’s exam on the first attempt, but not everyone is able to. It doesn’t involve luck, either; whether you pass or not depends on how prepared you are and how much you learn beforehand. You need to pass both the written and road exams in order to get your license. The first is easier than the latter, so you need to study and practice extra hard in order to pass the road test.

So, how can you prepare yourself? The most obvious solution is to practice driving every single day. However, you can also learn some secrets, such as the things the examiner will be watching for. There are a lot of resources available on the internet filled with driving test secrets and tips that you’ll need to know in order to pass easily. Your DMV handbook that you have only offers some information. The test will require a lot more knowledge.

All the additional resources you’ll need for passing can be found online, including secrets, tips, videos, simulation software, and so forth. There are also practice tests you can take. They’re not only helpful for passing the written exam, but the road test as well. This is because some of the questions pertain to the things you should and shouldn’t do when taking road exam.

Even if you know everything, you still need to prepare you emotionally for the road test. For some, nervousness is the main contributing factor to whether they fail or pass. As such, you need to take things easy to night and morning before the test. Make sure you study well beforehand and don’t try cramming anything in your mind the last night. Eat breakfast, even if you don’t feel like doing so. It’ll provide you with the energy you need to help fight anxiety. Being well prepared, rested, and fed are the keys to passing your driving test and getting your driver’s license.

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Source by Nadav Snir

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If you own a mobile oil change business and you have at least 100 monthly customers or 300 customers total you may wish to consider buying bulk oil to save costs. Oil is a large cost in the mobile oil change business, although not as much as labor. But any savings you get means more profit for your small business.

As the Founder of the Oil Change Guys, let me share some secrets with you. You see suppliers for bulk are usually regional and sometimes for best service and price you may find it is more a matter of the area rather than the brand. Although for customers it is more about brand. Some larger fleet customers will specify brand and you want to make sure you can oblige otherwise your competitor gets the account instead of you.

We have always found that a proper deal with a local regional supplier can in fact be significant, even to the point where the regional Oil Company reps pay you a visit and see what they can do to help you. Including things such as no-interest loans and/or financing deals based on purchases or guarantees of purchases. This can assist you with expansion dollars to take on larger local and regional accounts and expand your business, buy new units or buy out a pesky competitor, which can add accounts without long travel times.

To find a bulk oil supplier you will probably need to check around. Let’s say you are in OH for instance. This is a good state for jobbers and suppliers, which means there are some really good choices and a little bit of competition for you to get better services, extras and a lower price. Of course too across the River in KY you will find a support structure available through Valvoline, although they might also consider you competition to their own in-house mobile oil change units. They do have mobile oil change company software.

Of course if you are doing fleets and intend to do more you may not wish to put all your eggs in one basket as some larger fleets prefer Chevron which has a huge following and others will only use Shell Rotella; http://www.rotella.com/ One good place to check to see which jobbers are in your area servicing oil needs is to check with the local School District, why not check with the Superintendent of Transportation, where do they buy

their bulk oil for the buses? That might give you a good lead?

Indeed it pays to shop around when looking for a jobber of bulk oil and it further makes sense to use a local supplier as they may end up referring business to you, because they know you will be using their products. So think on this, as you supplier is part of your business team, all the way around it. They know it and you should know it too.

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Source by Lance Winslow

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Dynamometers have been a part of performance measurement since the days when the presence of horsepower was usually accompanied by four hooves and a tail. This versatile tool is applied around the world, as companies like Taylor Dynamometer build on past innovations with new breakthroughs in data gathering and system control technology.

• 1828 Gaspard de Prony invented the de Prony Brake, one of the earliest dynamometers
• 1838 Charles Babbage, known to historians as the Father of the Computer, introduces a dynamometer car to measure the pulling power of English railroad locomotives
• 1877 William Froude of Great Britain invents the first hydraulic dynamometer, with the first commercial models produced in 1881
• 1921 Professor E.V. Collins of Iowa State College develops a draft horse dynamometer, used to measure a horse’s capability to pull the era’s heavy metal farm implements
• 1930 Using designs pioneered through a collaboration with Rudolph Diesel, John Taylor forms the Taylor Dynamometer and Machine Company to produce engine dynamometers
• 1931 Martin and Anthony Winther introduce the first eddy current dynamometer

Throughout the past seven decades of continued dynamometer development, Taylor has maintained its status as a leader in advancing power measurement technology. Contact us to learn about the latest developments in dynamometers and engine diagnostics, or to inquire about a specific dyno product or application.

How Dynamometers Work

All dynamometers perform the same essential function, measuring the torque, rotational speed and power output of a combustion engine, electric motor or other power source. While the outcome is the same, many technologies are used to achieve the desired result.

Two Main Types

Most dynamometers can be placed within two distinct categories. Engine dynamometers are designed for coupling directly to the driveshaft of an engine under test, and chassis dynamometers measure the power output of a drive train by using rollers turned by the tires of a vehicle under test. In addition to the two traditional types, Taylor offers a line of portable dynamometers that attach directly to the flywheel of an engine. This allows accurate measurement of engine output without removal of an engine from its drive train.

A Variety of Designs

The work of handling and measuring input power is performed by instruments with a variety of different designs:

o Eddy current dynamometers present a measurable resistant force to engines under test by harnessing the magnetic flux between fixed and rotating electromagnets spun by the engine under test.

o A variant of the eddy current design, powder dynamometers create flux through the application of a fine magnetic powder between the rotor and coil

o Electric motor/generator types are a variation on the adjustable speed drive, using solid state components rather than the physical relationship between electromagnets to create measurable power transfer

o Fan, hydraulic and water brakes use air, water or hydraulic fluid to deliver physical resistance to the power applied by an engine or motor under test. The amount of resulting force absorbed by the fluid is measured to provide an indication of the power applied to the system

The best resource for details on dynamometer function and application is a Taylor Dynamometer application specialist. Contact us for full details on putting the latest in dynamometer technology to work in your application.

Eddy Current Dynamometer History

The story of the eddy current dynamometer is a tale of two Danish boys from Wisconsin, growing up in a time when innovations required an inquiring mind and a machine shop rather than a supercomputer and a doctoral degree. Martin Phillip Winther arrived at Ellis Island, New York in 1892 from his native Denmark. The family ultimately settled in Kenosha Wisconsin, where Martin and his American-born brother Anthony began their working lives as laborers at the Jeffry Company, makers of the Rambler automobile. At Jeffry, the brothers were involved in the engineering of a four-wheel-drive truck, which led them to break away and found the Winther Motor and Truck Company in 1917. While Winther Motor and Truck made several types of motor vehicles (including light trucks, fire engines and a sporty automobile) the firm’s chief product was innovation. Beginning around 1920, Martin and Anthony Winther were granted patents for almost 300 mechanical devices. These included the first successful air conditioning system for Pullman railroad cars, a four-wheel-drive post hole digger for AT&T, the first induction coupling, a magnetic clutch, a cycle-car, variable-speed transmission gears, as well as a giant press drive, brakes and couplings for the oil field industry.

Although prolific, only one of the Winther brothers’ inventions proved to have lasting impact. They are chiefly known for the invention of the eddy current dynamometer, a type of high speed, high power dynamometer capable of far surpassing the products then available in terms of power handling capability. The eddy current dyno was able to turn fast enough to test the turbine engines used in aircraft, wind tunnels and high speed automobiles of the day. The eddy current dynamometer was the chief product of the Dynamatic Corporation, founded by the Winthers in 1932. The firm was successful for many years both before and after the brothers sold their interest to Eaton Corporation in 1946. Variations on the eddy current design still serve as the basis for dynamometers today. The designs continued use is a testament to the ingenuity of two men who never rose above the eighth grade in formal education, yet parlayed their considerable on-the-job insight into a lasting legacy of technical achievement.

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Source by Lauren Peters

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Are you wondering if Falken tires are any good? Lots of people may have stumbled upon the Falken brand name while shopping around, or were recommended Falken tires by a professional, though not many have heard of the brand before. Falken isn’t a household name like Firestone or Bridgestone, but it is certainly a great choice for anyone looking for quality passenger tires or UHP (ultra-high performance) tires. Falken isn’t new to the business either – a subsidiary of Sumitomo Tires, Falken has been gaining market share in North America since 1985.

Falken can be considered a mid-range choice that offers an attractive balance between quality and price. Currently, Falken boasts an extensive selection of tires, including the race-track inspired Azenis series and the luxury sport FK452 line. In the all-season performance category is the popular Ziex ZE912 which is designed to improve grip, traction, and handling in all types of weather conditions. Those looking for light truck tires can’t go wrong with the Falken S/TZ04, which comes in all of the most popular sizes to fit today’s light trucks and sport utility vehicles.

In addition to their tire inventory, Falken also manufactures wheels for passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs. Falken currently has 19 different models which come in chrome and black coloring to match whatever scheme you’re looking for.

Falken Tire also has interesting plans for the future. As of late 2009 the company has set its sights on developing rugged all-terrain tires, winter performance tires, and premium touring tires targeted at enthusiasts. If Falken can successfully design and manufacture these niche tires, expect them to gain even larger market share in the near future.

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Source by Jared Kugel

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If you plan to establish a business on BMW accessories, getting your own website up and running is a very important thing to consider. There are so many things that you can do if you have an online presence. Getting your BMW accessories marketed can also be made easier online. These days, there are lots of internet marketing strategies that you can actually take advantage of. Like affiliate marketing for example. You only need to pay your partners based from the actual profits their own sites bring in. And since BMW accessories are a known brand already, it would be easy to find affiliate marketing partners that can actually help you out.

You might need a bit of search engine optimization to be able to reach these possible partners. This would mean that you would need to beef up your site’s copy and use the appropriate keywords that could entice people to contact you and try to be your affiliate marketing partner. But of course, you also have to exercise due discretion. You need to make sure that you are only partnering with those that are surely going to be an asset for your business. You need to evaluate what site they have and the traffic that they actually receive from their site. It would help you determine if they can really create a good pool of sales from their visitors.

Then of course, you also need to create a good affiliate marketing program. Highlight the rewards that your partners will be able to receive to entice more possible marketers to join you.

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Source by David J. O.

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You’re sitting in traffic, minding your own business, when suddenly you see it: a cloud of white smoke drifting out from underneath your car hood.

Does this mean that you’ve got a blown head gasket on your hands?

Or how about this scenario: you open up the car hood to take a look at your engine, and you notice that the head gasket appears to be slightly warped. Does this mean that you have a blown head gasket? Or should it be considered normal wear-and-tear on a car, especially if it’s an older model?

You don’t need a mechanic to properly diagnose this problem; in fact, if you spot any of these symptoms while you’re driving, then there is a high possibility that you’ve got a blown engine:

Early Symptoms

In order to prevent major motor problems – and saving yourself a surprise bill from your mechanic! – then watch out for some key preliminary symptoms, which arise when the head gasket is about to fail. Your car will occasionally overheat, white smoke will appear from the exhaust and there will be a slight rumbling sensation when your car’s idling.

Blown Engine

If you haven’t caught these preliminary symptoms, then watch out for the big-time signs: your car overheats, your air conditioning blows out hot air or your heater blows out cold air, there are clouds of smoke coming from underneath your hood, your car will roughly shake while idling, or it won’t start at all. In either case, take a look underneath your hood at your engine. A warped or slightly bent surface can easily be fixed by a mechanic for a nominal fee; however, a crack in the block surface will indicate that the head gasket needs to be replaced altogether.

Another major symptom of a blown motor is oil running into your coolant. If your vehicle has been running it is very important to allow your car to cool before you remove the cap of your radiator. This may take 20-30 minutes. Then use a rag to remove the cap. If your fluid looks like chocolate milk, then you definitely have a blown head gasket.

If you engine repair, be sure to take your vehicle to an experienced mechanic with a stellar reputation and customer service.

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Source by Chris M. Williams

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Correct Leyland Cypress spacing is critical. Target height determines spacing distance. How tall do you need them to grow? If a 14′ row of Leyland Cypress trees will provide the privacy screen you desire, be sure and “TOP” them when they reach that height. Actually, you must let them grow a foot or so taller than the desired height, then just clip off the main trunk, or central leader.

On evergreen trees, they will be finished growing tall, and spend all their energy thickening out. More height above what you need is a disadvantage for several reasons. The first is that if the trees need to be sprayed for Bagworms at some point, and they are taller than they need to be, it will be more difficult.

A second disadvantage is during stress times, like a drought summer, or winter, the tree has to “decide” whether to send the moisture it does have to the upper limbs and truck or the lower limbs, it will always send the moisture to the top growth areas and starve out the lower limbs. Many people say their row of Leyland Cypress was doing fine, then “all of a sudden” this year they started showing brown on the lower needles. This is because the height reached the point relative to spacing that result in stress.

The “rule of fours” is that you space trees so that the target height is no more than 4 times the spacing between the trunks. Example: You need a 20′ tall row to block your neighbor’s house or windows, you could space as close as 5′ on center. That is provided you will follow through, and when they reach 21 or 22′ tall, top them at 20′ height. That means each tree will get the moisture from a 5′ diameter ground area without competition from the tree beside it.

Another advantage is there will be enough room for a strong 5′ diameter root system to secure a 20′ tall tree against the wind. The “zig zag” pattern is a super solution if you can surrender some “width” of your property for the privacy screen. Let’s take another example; a 30′ tall privacy screen.

For example to plant a single file row, you will space 8′ on center, 4 times 8′ spacing = 32′ max target height. If choosing to start with ten’ tall Leyland Cypress trees, they will be 4′ wide at planting time. That will leave them with 4′ of air in between each tree and waiting a long time to close together.

If you plant two parallel rows, with each at 8′ on center, but staggered there will appear to be a tree every 4′ you will have closure much quicker, yet still have the trees spaced for strength and low stress. In this case the first row should be 4′ from the property line, and the second row should be 8′ from the first.

If the planting site is tight on space, you could make the second row 6′ back from the first row. One note is that the appearance of a tree every 4′ is only when you are exactly perpendicular to the row. Also remember a ten foot Leyland Cypress tree may be 4 foot wide at its widest point, but also they get skinnier as they get tall.

In this situation, you still need the 8′ spacing based on the rule of fours, and the” zig zag” pattern will get you closure much sooner than a straight line row. If they decided on 12 foot trees, they would be 5′ wide at the widest point closure would come much quicker.

Trees should be spaced so the target height needed is no more than 4 times the distance between the trunks. If you need a 20′ tall row to block your neighbor’s house or windows, you could space as close as 5′ on center. That is provided you will follow through, and when they reach 21 or 22 feet tall, top them back to 20 foot height.

Two advantages are that: Each tree will receive the moisture from a 5′ diameter ground area without competition from the tree beside it. Another benefit is a strong 5 foot diameter root system can secure a 20′ tall tree against the wind.

The “zig-zag” pattern is a super solution if you can surrender some “width” of your property for the privacy screen. For example, someone needs a 30 feet tall privacy screen. If they use the rule of 4’s, and plant a single file row, they should space at 8′ on center, 4 times 8′ spacing = 32′ max target height. If you choose to start with ten foot Leyland Cypress trees, they will be 4′ wide at planting time. That spacing will leave them with 4 feet of gap between each tree would take a long time to close together.

If you plant two parallel rows, each at 8 foot on center, but staggered so there will appear to be a tree every 4 foot you will have closure much quicker, yet still have the trees spaced for low moisture stress and strength. For this example the first row should be 4 feet from the property line, and the second row should be 8 feet from the first. If tight on space, you could make the second row 6′ back from the first row. One note is that the appearance of a tree every 4′ is only when you are exactly perpendicular to the row. Remember a ten foot Leyland Cypress tree might be 4 feet wide at its widest point, but also they get much thinner towards the tip. In this situation, you still need the 8′ spacing based on the rule of fours, and the “zig zag” pattern will get you closure much sooner than a straight line row. If they decided on 12 foot trees, they would be 5′ wide at the widest point closure would come much quicker. My customers have been temped to let them grow because when they reach the target height, they will look great. That is the precise time to top them, once they get distressed and shed their lower needles nothing will make them green back up. Use and distribution of this article is subject to our Publisher Guidelines whereby the original author’s information and copyright must be included.

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Source by David Watterson

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A photo canvas print, sometimes also known as a stretched canvas print, is usually printed utilizing one of your selected photos or pictures onto weaved canvas. The actual canvas will be stretched over a gallery quality framework and spacers are applied to guarantee the absolute best quality over the greatest time period. The flexibility of canvas prints and also the capability to add your own personal image causes them to be the most attractive methods to show pictures around the house and even in the workplace.

Family Photographs And Vacation Photographs

Making use of your own photograph or pictures permits you to show family pictures, or images of one’s favourite locations or functions. Canvas prints, printed right on to weaved canvas, have got fantastic colour clarity and remarkable photo reproduction so you’re able to enjoy really clear, realistic photos that may be shown proudly on your own wall. After all, family photos and vacation photos are not the only style of picture you might use either.

Custom made And Existing Paintings

Art work will come in numerous shapes, dimensions, and types. Should you design your own or get royalty free design and use a digital file that contains the image then you can definitely also use your much-loved art work and get this converted to a visually gorgeous bit of wall art work. Stretched canvas is the perfect material for presenting art work, whether it is of photographic level of quality or paint based.

Getting Creativity From Nature

You could think about printing images of one’s much-loved pets, plants, or perhaps your cherished car or truck. A lot of canvas printing businesses could help you with any kind of digital picture, although normally, the bigger the required canvas the greater quality and the bigger the image need to be to start with; this can help to make sure that you obtain the absolute best results once the canvas is fully gone.

Motion picture And Sporting Collectibles

Maybe you have your favourite film celebrity or sports personality? Find a very good photograph of them, copyright laws permitting, and get this printed on to a big canvas – fantastic for your home theatre or home fitness space. Perhaps movie or sports collectibles could be transformed into unbelievable looking canvas prints. Measurements differ substantially from smaller sized 35cm canvases up to noticeably bigger versions which measure several metres in width. Even so if you plan to but a canvas you’ll be able to choose the correct size and dimension to suit your needs.

Giving Canvas Prints As Presents

Image canvas prints not just are excellent bits of wall art work for your house. They may be presented as presents to other people or they may be utilized to help customise any kind of space and definitely help to make that space your own. Opt for a photograph or graphic that is certainly highly relevant to the area, the recipient, and any design theme that you wish to stick to and find the photography and select the proportions to suit.

Some other Photo Gifts

Along with canvas prints, you will find there’s wide array of additional photo gifts and photo items which could be customized to feature your own selection of picture. Additional photo items which work nicely in your home include photo blocks, that are fundamentally the modern-day equivalent of a framed image, along with stuff like folding screens, roller window blinds, as well as customized wallpapers. They could also assist add colour and character in any room of your house and even your work.

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Source by David Dobson

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This article is the second in a series of three articles highlighting the basics of dynamometer testing. In this first article, “What is an Engine Dynamometer,” we reviewed the principle components of the water brake engine dynamometer and how they work. In this article we will look at the principle components of the chassis dynamometer (also known as a dyno).

A chassis dyno is a tool that lets the operator safely place a controlled load on a vehicle. With the use of a dyno, a vehicle’s primary power train components, including the engine, transmission, and differential as well as vehicle components such as the braking, cooling, and electrical systems, can be properly operated throughout a vehicle’s power and speed range. Deficiencies or errors in the assembly of the engine may be discovered before the vehicle is driven and a thorough assessment of the operating condition of the engine can be carried out. Basically the dynamometer is the last test of quality before a vehicle is put into service.

Chassis Dynamometer Construction

A chassis dynamometer has three major components: the roll set, the absorption unit, and the torque indication system.

Chassis dyno roll sets come in a variety of diameters depending on the application. An automotive chassis dynamometer will typically have smaller roll sets, while a large truck dyno will have a larger set. These dyno roll sets are placed in a specially designed frame and are either coupled directly to the dynamometer absorption unit or to a belt drive system. Dyno roll sets are available in both fixed and adjustable width versions which can accommodate a variety of wheelbases for testing multiple vehicles on a single machine.

The characteristics of a water brake absorber when used in a chassis dynamometer are very similar to an engine dynamometer. In addition to water brake absorbers, chassis dynos can also be equipped with eddy current and AC regenerative absorption units. An eddy current absorber uses electrical current to produce a load. Eddy current dynamometers require an electrically conductive core, shaft or disc, moving across a magnetic field to produce resistance to movement. Available in both air cooled and liquid cooled applications, eddy current chassis dynamometers provide quick response rates. Most eddy current absorbers use cast iron discs, similar to vehicle disc brake rotors, and use variable electromagnets to change the magnetic field strength to control the amount of braking.

Much like a water brake absorber, the housing of an eddy current absorber is restrained by a torque arm within the chassis dyno assembly that is connected to a load cell. AC regenerative chassis dynamometers use an electric motor/generator that is not only capable of assisting with bringing the vehicle’s drive wheels up to speed and act as a motoring chassis dyno, but is able to put power absorbed by the generator function back onto the electrical grid that powers the dynamometer.

In all cases, the absorption unit is restrained using a torque arm that is connected to a load cell. The force with which the stators are trying to rotate is measured by the load cell. By measuring the distance from the torque arm to the axis of the absorber, the amount of torque can be measured.

Torque = force x distance

So if we measure the speed, the amount of horsepower can be found with this formula:

HP = (torque x rpm)/5252

Chassis Dynamometer Operation

A vehicle or chassis is driven onto a chassis dynamometer and the vehicle is secured using straps or chains typically provided with the dynamometer system. The vehicle then performs a series of tests that mimic the operating conditions the vehicle would face during its intended use. These tests can be performed by an operator either inside or outside of the vehicle, or through an automated test depending on the control system supplied with the chassis dyno.

What makes up a Chassis Dynamometer System?

The chassis dynamometer itself is only one element of the overall chassis dyno system. In general, a dyno system consists of a chassis dynamometer plus a fuel measurement system, a room exhaust system, and a data acquisition and control system.

Fuel Measurement System

Fuel measurement systems are designed to monitor engine efficiency during a power run. A typical chassis dynamometer fuel measurement system works by initially measuring the total volume of fuel inside the storage tank prior to a test run. As a test run is performed, the system automatically calculates the amount of fuel being used and displays the monitored information on the dynamometer’s data acquisition system.

Room Exhaust System

The two most common types of room exhaust systems are hood and pipe systems. Hood systems are preferred because direct connection to the engine or exhaust system is not required. Hood fans pull make-up air into the room containing the dynamometer and removes both engine and room exhaust. Pipe systems can be powered by a fan to remove engine exhaust. When using a pipe system, a separate fan-powered room air exhaust system is necessary to pull make-up air into the room and to discharge heat, smoke and fumes.

Data Acquisition and Control Systems

Generally a dyno controller contains the dynamometer system’s temperature and pressure sensors. These sensors are contained within an industrial cabinet and are provided with quick disconnects. Data is gathered from the temperature and pressure sensors, and in many cases an ECM, and are merged with speed, torque and power measurements from the dyno and sent to the dynamometer system’s computer.

The computer in a data acquisition and dynamometer control system interfaces with the controller and the dyno and executes all of the embedded control operations. It’s also where new tests are run and reports are created, printed, and stored.

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Source by Sarah Simmons