Building a dyno

[SkyEvader]

Does anyone have any ideas on building a dyno to test motors? I have heard of people using old motors and making a few trip to Radio Shack to accomplish this. Anybody know how to?

[rcguy2477]

Ive seen it done before, but it doesnt give out info like the normal dynos do. If you want more info, contact RCchica, she has one that her dad made.

[itdood]

I haven't seen any nor could I find plans for one on google, but here's what I'm thinking....

Get an old motor, hook an amp meter in series between the motor poles. Also attach a Volt meter.

Then hook the motor shafts up somehow and run the motor you're testing.

Multiply Peak Amps x Voltage = WATTS. Or, take those down at whatever throttle level you want to test.

There's your dyno!

The amp meter should be fused to protect it, so you might need something with a 20+ amp fused amp test circuit.

I could be way wrong though, hopefully someone can correct me if I am.

[BCSavage]

I'd like to see a dyno that works just like real-car dyno's. Ya strap your car to it, punch the gas and an LCD readout tells you HP and Torque (and at what RPM lelvels). Cuz it doesn't matter how much HP your engine/motor SAYS it has, it's how much *oomph* is at the wheels that counts.

[bomb-proof]

You can do it several ways. The easiest way I know of is by using the whole car, not just the engine or motor. You can do timed tests on a desired length but you will need accurate MPH, weight, distance, and time to do it. This also only gives how much HP was used, wheelspin will drop the HP as well. Using a drum is ideal, but I have no idea how to go about getting the correct weights,etc for that.

[rcguy2477]

The dyno that rcchica has is more complex than just a motor. Last time i saw it, it was a motor on a board with a coupler to attach another motor. Then there were a bunch of wires, and finally a volt meter.

[highroller]

Parma made a chassis dyno years ago called the Thor Chassis dyno.
Several sites have posted information on building a dyno from a simple one to an full tilt high end one. Look under this site for articles on front page or do a search, rc vehicles (hobbytalk page) also had an article on building a dyno.