Shopping list for 2014 track season

[dricked]

Would a Honda 2000 run 2 sets without issue?

It runs them (so does the champion) but they get warm, not HOT. I've tried it with a Honda as well, it was better but there's a reason why the pro's plug the warmers directly into the generator and don't split it. When I used one generator with one set of warmers plugged directly in the tire was almost to hot to touch and the rim was nice and toasty. When I had them running off an extension cord with 3 outlets the tire was warm and the rim was barely warm, I also always use covers to make sure my warmers are doing the best job they can. If you feel your getting optimal heat with one 2000w genny and 2 sets of warmers, more power to you but personally I won't do it unless it's atleast 3000w, heck even the power from the pole at Shannonville isn't reliable enough to use.

 

[ZX600]

Would a Honda 2000 run 2 sets without issue?

Yes, I always plugged in my warmers to Jay's Honda genny plus his warmers no problem.

But the reason I bought the generator is because like dricked said, better safe than sorry, now i don't have to plug to jay's so both of us are running one set per generator

 

[Bickle Racing]

Some warmers take 1500 watts to run. If the wire pattern has a lot of bends in it figure 1500watts.
Ours take just over 900 watts so figure 950watts. So if you are running a Honda or Yamaha 1000 watts will run one set of ours.
Now consider the age of the generator,length of extension cord and your power can drop.
Plugging 2 sets of ours into a HOnda 2000 isn't leaving you much wiggle room for any of these issues.

 

[ZX600]

Some warmers take 1500 watts to run. If the wire pattern has a lot of bends in it figure 1500watts.
Ours take just over 900 watts so figure 950watts. So if you are running a Honda or Yamaha 1000 watts will run one set of ours.
Now consider the age of the generator,length of extension cord and your power can drop.
Plugging 2 sets of ours into a HOnda 2000 isn't leaving you much wiggle room for any of these issues.

Thanks for the answer, in regards to the extension cord, any ideas on what gauge should we use let's say Bickle warmers and a 2000 Honda?

 

[doozerdave]

Thanks for the answer, in regards to the extension cord, any ideas on what gauge should we use let's say Bickle warmers and a 2000 Honda?

This depends somewhat on the quality of the extension cord, but not so much. Length and gauge are the factors. I use a 50' 12 gauge extension cord and I've run 2 sets many times, always one set Bickle and the second set has been Chicken Hawk, China Hawk, etc... I have not used a thermometer to check the heat difference vs running single. Next season I'll try to remember to bring a volt meter to check the voltage at the end of the cord running single vs double.

 

[Fiery254]

My EU2000i runs 2 sets of warmers off two seperate 12 gauge 50ft extension cables. I also power a speaker for my music, a phone charger, both of which draw very little but that's about it. If I was hanging around next season I was going to invest in 25ft cables as my genny is usually just the other side of my trailer and 25ft should be a better option for power utilisation.

And both sets of warmers get hot, not warm. Although I'm sure they take longer to heat.

 

[Fiery254]

This depends somewhat on the quality of the extension cord, but not so much. Length and gauge are the factors. I use a 50' 12 gauge extension cord and I've run 2 sets many times, always one set Bickle and the second set has been Chicken Hawk, China Hawk, etc... I have not used a thermometer to check the heat difference vs running single. Next season I'll try to remember to bring a volt meter to check the voltage at the end of the cord running single vs double.

I think amperage will be a better tell. Voltage usually doesn't drop off that much. It's amperage that drops off. And I'm happy to be corrected on this. It's many, many beers ago I did electrical engineering (for a week) at college.

 

[doozerdave]

I think amperage will be a better tell. Voltage usually doesn't drop off that much. It's amperage that drops off. And I'm happy to be corrected on this. It's many, many beers ago I did electrical engineering (for a week) at college.

The impedance of the extension cord stays the same. As current goes up (second set of warmers) there will be more voltage dropped across the extension cord. Checking the voltage at the generator and at the end of the cord will show the difference, if line loss is a factor. If the voltage is the same at both ends (and within spec, whatever the spec is for the genny, 110~120V probably) then line loss isn't a problem, and you have a heavy enough/short enough extension cord. Either that or the genny has a smart current limit and is keeping the current down so it doesn't blow a fuse, in which case the power (P=I*V) consumption of the warmers will not be as high as it should. Checking the current and voltage you'd be able to calculate the power consumption.

 

[dricked]

Well after a solid hour of my genny trying to heat two sets to a mediocre temperature I gave up. For track days when you can take a few laps to get heat this option is possible, when going out for a race and I have to give %100 after a "warm up lap" I don't take chances. The Honda eu2000i is only rated at 1600w and the Yamaha is the same. So when John says his warmers take roughly 900w to power, 1600w for two sets is not enough.

 

[doozerdave]

Well after a solid hour of my genny trying to heat two sets to a mediocre temperature I gave up. For track days when you can take a few laps to get heat this option is possible, when going out for a race and I have to give %100 after a "warm up lap" I don't take chances. The Honda eu2000i is only rated at 1600w and the Yamaha is the same. So when John says his warmers take roughly 900w to power, 1600w for two sets is not enough.

Very true. If the warmers are on long enough for them to start cycling then the power consumption will go down as each warmer cycles off. This would allow for the other warmers to catch up. Obviously this wouldn't be consistent and not very predictable.

 

[YellowDuck]

Just ordered tires (V0R1s from Ripp Racing, soft / soft). Last must-have items for 2014 race season: belly pan (Catalyst Composites), shark fin and brake guard (Bluestreak), tire warmers (Trackside Cuts). That's about another $900. Whew....then I still have to do my safety wiring (me), paint number plates (maybe me), and get red numbers made (Trackside Cuts). And THEN I still need to find funds for race license and race school before I am even eligible to pay the entry fees. This sh*t is expensive.

And that's just for the Ducati. We also need to get our endurance bike ready. More $$$$.

I'd sell a kidney but I doubt anyone would want mine.

 

[dricked]

Get the numbers outlined in white or have a vynil backround made, it's much easier than trying to paint them on unless your having the bodywork painted from scratch.

 

[skapan]

If you use an extension cord, get the type labeled "for block heaters". They are usually 12 gauge, and a larger number of conductors (finer strands), so they will have less voltage drop at higher currents. Electrical theory says no voltage drop at 0 current, but as the current increases so does the heat in the conductor, and the heat will result in more resistance therefore more voltage drop. So imagine an extension cord designed for christmas lights, it will have a real problem running a set of warmers. Solid core wire would be better, but that's not a good choice for extension cords. Shorter is always better too.

 

[eel]

Electrons flow through wire by skin effect. You want a wire that has as many fine strands as possible if you are looking to supply a big load, not solid wire...????

Transmission lines are all multiple strand wire. So are welding and battery booster cables.

Solid core wire would be better, but that's not a good choice for extension cords. Shorter is always better too.

 

[eel]

Tell us more this sounds exciting!

We also need to get our endurance bike ready. More $$$$.

 

[doozerdave]

Electrons flow through wire by skin effect. You want a wire that has as many fine strands as possible if you are looking to supply a big load, not solid wire...????

Transmission lines are all multiple strand wire. So are welding and battery booster cables.

Skin effect comes into effect more at higher frequencies, not normal power grid frequencies (60Hz here). If stranded cable was better for load carrying then house wiring would be stranded and there would be no such thing as bus bars for high current trunks. Stranded wire and cables is simply to make them manageable and durable.

 

[eel]

There is no skin effect at 60hz???

As far as wiring your house with stranded, I think the reason is material cost and labor cost (each end needs to be terminated unlike solid wire).

I agree they are more manageable. What is a high current trunk btw?? A box you send down the river?? :santa::santa::santa::santa:

Skin effect comes into effect more at higher frequencies, not normal power grid frequencies (60Hz here). If stranded cable was better for load carrying then house wiring would be stranded and there would be no such thing as bus bars for high current trunks. Stranded wire and cables is simply to make them manageable and durable.

 

[doozerdave]

There is no skin effect at 60hz???

As far as wiring your house with stranded, I think the reason is material cost and labor cost (each end needs to be terminated unlike solid wire).

I agree they are more manageable. What is a high current trunk btw?? A box you send down the river?? :santa::santa::santa::santa:

I didn't say there is no skin effect. High current trunk, like an elephant giving itself a shower.

 

[YellowDuck]

Tell us more this sounds exciting!

2003 GSXR 600. One of us might race it in lost era as well. PDR team principal Allen Pyburn has created a website, but there are no photos of the new bike up yet. http://prairiedogracing.webs.com/

The guys ran in GTL last season with a rented Racer 5 125 and then a 250. They came second overall, but didn't beat any teams that ran as many races as they did. Obviously they are slow like molasses and so have recruited me hoping to inject some decent speed into the roster. I'll do my best but honestly it's going to be pretty hard offsetting Allen's lap times.

Our team consists of two middle-aged guys pushing 200 lbs (my brother and I), another middle-aged guy (Allen) who is somewhat lighter but only because he got gout and couldn't drink beer anymore, and an occasional team member (Omar) who is younger but probably weighs about the same as a sasquatch, given the similar proportions.

So yeah, pretty exciting....

 

[meme]

I need a slipper clutch if anyone has one that'll work on an 03 r6.