Project Update Q1 2025

[DeeEmm]

It's been some time since I looked at this project. That's not to say that I've forgotten about it, just that I've not really had the time to spare to get stuck into it.

A lot of my time recently has been taken up with the DIY Flow Bench project, which has now passed a major milestone and is just a step away from the first full release.

This actually benefits this project as it was always my plan to use the DIYFB code as the basis for this project. Most of the hard work is done and it will save a bunch of time and energy. So now that the DIYFB code is pretty much finished, it seems like a good point to start to take a look at getting things off of the ground here.

The first order of business is to get some basic load cell code functioning and then take a look at integrating that into the DIYFB code. This includes figuring out the basic requirements along with any additional features and functionality that is required.

Now. Where did I leave that load cell?

[black-top]

I have collecting parts for dyno over the years and have most of it, but in the near future I'm planing to do some R&D testing on single cylinder engine to save time and money, so I'm planing to make small engine dyno for it, so it can be good platform for testing this control system too.
I have a 3000Nm telma brake for the main dyno but have not decided yet what to use for the small dyno. The engine will be maybe up to 30HP, so maybe a hydraulic pump can be the cheapest solution for it.
For a load cell, probably a hx711 chip will be used?

[DeeEmm]

Tony mentioned on the Discord channel that he's had a lot of success with just a disc brake...

I been using car disk brakes x 2 with vented disc and metal pads..
I can do a pull in 4th gear of a 6speed, from 60kmh to 200kmh 2000rpm-6500rpm with load using brake pedal pull goes for about 6 secs, and the disc temp is 109c, I expected a lot hotter then that..
So I reckon I can set up rollers with disc brakes to create load..

[black-top]

That is definitely a cheaper solution, but for good repeatability, somehow the braking pressure needs to be controlled, maybe with an ABS pump.

[DeeEmm]

Yes maybe that could be made to work.

I wonder if it is possible to link a PWM output to the ABS controller to modulate the braking.

Other options would be to use a proportional valve and a pressure source to operate the calliper or maybe just use the stepper control to operate the master cylinder.

Lots of possibilities for such a simple setup.

I think that there would be many people interested in such as setup for small engines.

I might consider this for the initial test rig. I have a few small engines I could use.

[black-top]

I don't have much experience with ABS blocks, but all that I have seen uses can-bus for everything.
But I think it can be quite easy to make it work, by just connecting the PWM output through the driver directly to the pump motor and the other PWM to the control valve and it already has a pressure sensor.
The other option may be to use a common rail fuel pressure control valve and just modulate pressure for fluid circulating in a loop like in a fuel rail.
Stepper that modulates the master cylinder is a good idea, it will be a very simple setup.

[sauloterob]

Hello, I am very interested in the project but I don't know anything about esp32 (I only know a minimum of Arduino) which esp32 do you recommend I buy to perform tests and help with the tests? Thanks