Q&A Forum
Hi!
I have an old Bosch water brake dynamometer that has been converted to an inertia dyno. I would like to modernize it for the brake dyno, but I'm wondering if it would be worth installing the water brake back or implementing control with an eddy current brake. I have an old water pump ready, but it doesn't have an adjustment or a valve for it, so it would probably be the same trouble to convert the dyno to an eddy current brake. So where would I start hunting for an eddy current brake, or alternatively what valve do you recommend for a water brake? Located in Finland.
Software is not Yourdyno at the moment, but next one will be.
Thanks
Aleksi
You can use the YourDyno water brake valve. They are $1495. Alternatively buy an eddy brake. Eddy brakes are by far the most common for chassis dynos, partly because they work very well at low RPMs. But if you water brake is in good shape and the pump is ok, you have plumbing, tank etc, then you could go for the water brake. I would try to find out more info about the water brake first (e.g. max torque, etc)
At the moment there is only a pump and adapters for it. So it will probably be cheaper and easier to change to an eddy current brake. But where did you get those brakes? And what brand and model? New or used. The market for eddy current brakes in Finland is poor or non-existent.
New brakes can be bought from European manufacturers like Klam, Frenelsa and Telma. They are all very good. There are also Chinese alternatives at something like 30% discount compared to European brands. Their quality is generally good enough, although quality control/variability may be better on the European brands. For Chinese alternatives check out for example Keao Retarder.
Used retarders can be had from bus/truck salvage yards, but they are hard to find and quality varies a lot.