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Unread 11-23-2011, 09:18 AM
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Re: Testing Motors, Jags, Batteries

Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesCH95 View Post
I like this, though I think it would be a good idea to put the motor under load during the test, otherwise it doesn't really mean much. Ideally there would be a load schedule, where load varies with time. Testing just the free speed of a motor is, IMHO, largely useless because the motor will be generating little power and drawing little current, this won't exercise the system very well.

The load could be a water pump, fan, another CIM motor (used as a generator) connected to an extra 100W lightbulb, a metal disc spinning through a magnetic field (eddy current brake), etc.
Completely agree... As I said, "On the other side, hook up the output shaft on something that will produce a moderate load on the motor (for example, have it lift a bucket of sand, or a concrete block)". The goal, obviously, was to use items that teams probably have sitting around their build spaces so you don't have to buy anything specifically for this project.