Motor Dyno

[TCorzett]

I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with motor dynos. I’ve seen a few on TowerHobbies’ website, but I have not seen any reviews or anything. I mostly run stock 1/10th scale (FTTC3) with P2K, GM3, and MVP motors. I will eventually move up to modified racing, but not for a while. I’m looking for something, which does everything that I need, without costing an arm and a leg. I do not have a 12v DC power supply, so that would be an added cost. I have seen some really expensive systems from Trinity and TURBOdyno45. I would prefer not to spend so much money, but if these are the systems that are needed then that is what I’ll get. I’m getting an old laptop to keep in my pit box for my lap counter, but it can be used for the dyno as well. If anyone has any experience with motor dynos please comment. Any companies, prices, etc. are very appreciated! Thank you much!!

-Todd…

[Grizzbob]

Well, to be honest, the dynos that produce the most useable results are the really expensive ones(I have the Robitronics that Trinity sells, & it's da bomb). However, Fantom's dyno(which is also a very good one) runs about $400-$500, & then you might look into the CS Electronics dyno, which I think is cheaper than that(but I don't have any experience with that one). In my opinion, the flywheel dynos are really the most consistent of all of them, & I'd definitely recommend you try them. Something else to think about, you might ask some of your friends if they'd be willing to share the cost of one, & you can use it together, that'd make it easier to get the best ones..... :)

[TCorzett]

The Robitronics dyno for trinity is the one that I’m dreaming over. I was checking out some stuff on RCCA and that’s the one they used on the D4 tests. I really like the outputs and stuff. Since I already have a computer in my pits it’s not really a big deal to hook up the dyno too. If it’s not too much trouble could you please give me some information on the Robotronics dyno? Does it require a separate 12vDC power supply or does it plug into an outlet or battery? Does it come with everything needed to hook up to PC, and what requirements are needed on the PC. How much time does it take to dyno a motor, how hard is it? Do you know of any webpages that have info on the Robitronics and how to use it? Maybe even the manual?

Thank you for any information you can give me! :o)

-Todd…

PS - none of my friend are into RC, and it's not a matter of having the money, it's just debating what to buy... dyno vs. other stuff

[Grizzbob]

Well, I'll tell as much as I can from memory....You do need a specific DC power supply, Robitronics recommends a 12 volt sealed-type lead-acid battery of between 17Ah & 40 Ah(no more, if your battery has too much capacity, you run the risk of burning up its voltage regulator when testing hot mod motors), you can usually find one at specialty battery shops for around $50. It does come with everything you need to hook it up to a PC(any PC, laptops to desktops, though I'm not sure about Macs), & as for requirements, it only mentions needing a system that has MSDOS & an available serial port. I run it on a P90 laptop & it runs just fine(you can even set up a shortcut on your Windows desktop, if you have Win95 or later). Now, for how long it takes to test, well it depends on your soldering skills, the test leads are meant to be soldered on(which is just like the way you connect your ESC's motor leads), but for the test run itself, it only takes about 4-9 seconds, depending on the motor. Really, it's not very hard to do, you just have to be patient & read the manual thoroughly(its easiest using the PC keyboard controls or using the pop-up menus with a mouse). As far as web info, I can't think of any, save for Robitronics themselves(www.robitronic.com), & that doesn't really give you any help files, though it does have the dyno software & possibly the manual available for download. Honestly, it may not be the easiest in the world to start with, but once you get used to it its a piece 'o cake, & it does make the info more accessible than any other I know of(in my opinion). Well, that's all I can think of right now, but if you have any other questions, just let me know..... :)

[TCorzett]

After doing some research about Dynos I've decided to go with the Trinity Robitronics. From what I've seen it's the best one out there for the money, despite the high price tag. I'm waiting until I get my back-issue of RCCA where they did a review on it (April 2000). I was wondering if I could replace the battery (too heavy to carry around) with a power supply? The manual I read said not to use a power supply, but what are people's experiences? I already have a laptop in my pit box, so I'm going to hook it into that. Should be really awesome once I get the entire thing setup. I was wondering where to get it. Tower Hobbies has it for $699.99, but they are on backorder. Is there anywhere else to get the Robitronics dyno for a similar price? Also, what accessories should I get along with it? Thanx Grizzbob for all your help!

-Todd...

[Grizzbob]

Not really sure, but if Tower has them on backorder, then it may be because Trinity needs to order more, which means that you be in for a wait with any mail order shop(unless they happened to have one in stock). As for accessories, I'm not sure that we can really oder any of them(I think Trinity has only been ordering the dynos themselves & a stopwatch that Robi sells, but nothing else AFAIK), but the dyno pretty much has everything you need. The only options I can think of are a thermal probe for it's charger functions(for doing a thermal peak charge, instead of voltage peak detction), the battery that's needed(which you'd be best off buying locally) & a compatible HP printer, plus an IR interface for the printer. As for power supplies, it really isn't a good idea, all but the most expensive of them just can't supply the amperage needed by the dyno, & you don't want any power supply to have too much capacity with the dyno(as I said before, if it has too much juice available & you test a motor powerful enough, the amp draw will burn out the dyno's voltage regulator). One of my friends has a Robi & he tried supplementing a small battery with a power supply, & naturally it let go the magic smoke, just as Robi warned. Meanwhile, I've tested lots of hot mods with mine(using a 17Ah battery just like they recommend), & it's never missed a beat. Really, the battery is a cool deal, you can get one for $50(or less, depending on who you buy from), any automotive charger will charge it, & you can do dozens(or even hundreds) of dyno runs before it really needs to be recharged(though they do last longest if you keep them peaked, like with the maintanence charger I keep mine connected to when not in use). Trust me, you won't regret getting a good battery for it..... :)