Dynamometer - measuring the power of the car
Tuning

Dynamometer - measuring the power of the car

Dynamometer stand - a facility that allows measurements of the power of cars, their engines, motorcycles, karts, etc. The stands can be classified according to two parameters:

  • what kind of equipment is focused on (auto, motorcycle, engine separately)
  • stand type (load, inertial, combined)

Let's take a closer look at each type of dynamometer.

Dynamometer - measuring the power of the car

Dynamometer for measuring vehicle power

Inertial stand

For simplicity, we suggest further consideration of the lead on the car stand. And so, the stand is a frame structure, at first glance similar to a lift, but with the presence of drums (a kind of rollers) in places where the wheels of the car should be. If we were talking about a motorcycle stand, then one drum is enough there, since a motorcycle has one drive wheel. For a front / rear-wheel drive car, two drums are enough, well, for an all-wheel drive, a stand with four drums is needed.

Dynamometer - measuring the power of the car

Power meter stand for motorcycles

The car sets the wheels on drums, as a rule, the top gear is turned on and the wheels of the car begin to spin the drums. Naturally, the larger the drums, the more difficult it is to spin them. Thus, the engine changes its speed from the lowest to the highest, all other measurements are made by the computer, for example, the speed of rotation and the time spent on spinning up. From here the torque is calculated. And already from the moment we get engine power a car.

Now about the pros and cons of this type:

Pros:

  • simplicity of design, hence the inexpensive cost;
  • the ability to take into account the power loss due to friction of the transmission;
  • the ability to assess parameters such as the build quality of the engine and the level of its running-in.

Cons:

  • there is no possibility of measuring indicators in a static mode, i.e. at constant speed
  • the greater the power, the lower the measurement accuracy (this is due to the fact that with increasing power, the spin-up time of the drums increases, therefore, the measurement time decreases - the accuracy decreases)

Load stand

The load stand is for the most part similar to an inertial one, but it has a number of advantages. Firstly, the drums have a different mass, and the rotation of the drums is carried out through the computer. Why is this done? Especially in order to create the ability to keep the car at constant rpm, with a certain angle of opening of the throttle. This significantly improves the accuracy of the tuning of the ignition and fuel delivery system throughout the entire rev range.

Dynamometer - measuring the power of the car

Measurement of vehicle power

One of the main advantages of the load stand it is the presence of its own motor, which can both brake the wheels, and vice versa, accelerate them (that is, we increase the engine speed through the transmission). The controlled device can be electrical, hydraulic and frictional. This method is very useful when setting up idle, coasting.

About the disadvantages:

  • complex construction;
  • high price;
  • difficulty in measuring friction losses.

Combined dynamometer

Actually, it collects all the functions of the previous two types, becoming a universal solution, but for a lot of money.

Questions and answers:

What is a dynamometer? This is a device that is designed to calculate the torque and power of the car. it is also used to fine-tune the motor.

How does a dynamometer work? A car is put on it. The rollers under the wheels independently increase the load on the drive wheels until the internal combustion engine reaches the set speed (the wheels do not accelerate or brake).

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