iWinch Spool RPM/MPH Experiment

iWinch · Ollie Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 93 City: ATL

So I wasted $$$ on that photo sensor tachometer from Harbor Freight to try it out. To my surprise, it actually worked pretty good. I set a chair next to my winch to use as a tripod so the device remained stable. I took a bunch of readings from 2 different spots on the side of the spool and then did some math to get the actual data for the true outside diameter of the spool (AKA - where the rope actually winds). It wasn't possible to get an accurate reading at that exact point on the spool bc the 6 nuts were in the way and fool the sensor. It claims to work well when the object is dark bc it is easier to spot the reflective tape. The RPMs/MPHs that I came up with seem to be about where I would expect my winch to pull minus about 5MPH at most from the top end. Here is the dirt: enjoy...

cheapskate · Guest

that is some sic data, I have bought some tools from harbour frieght( because they are so cheap) and I have THOUSANDS of dollars worth of tools. Is it laser? what is the name of the scope.

iWinch · Ollie Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 93 City: ATL

http://www.iwinchglobal.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=17

JeffKnox · Posted: Mar 09, 2008 10:51 am Post subject:

where you pulling a rider when conducting these tests? or was this just spinning with no line?

hus #1 · Ollie Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 71 City: UK

the most important thing is "was it fun ?" Laughing

that looks like a whole lot of math Crazy Eyes

Bad Luck · Posted: Mar 09, 2008 11:03 am Post subject:

JeffKnox, it says somewhere in there that there was no load on the rope, or no rider.

JeffKnox · Posted: Mar 09, 2008 11:14 am Post subject:

Bad Luck, thanks man i didnt see that... i was just really impressed when i saw 40 mph lol... ive always wanted to barefoot behind the winch... but i know from experience the winch runs aot different with load on it... i dont know the specs of your winch but id say you would only get about 25 to 30 mph max with a decent size rider on there...

it would be interesting to see the numbers with a rider on there...

haha i winch can i borrow your sensor so i can conduct the same experiment on my 2 winches?

iWinch · Ollie Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 93 City: ATL

JeffKnox · Posted: Mar 10, 2008 12:04 pm Post subject:

haha yea man i remember back in the day working out all kinds of gear ratios just assuming rpm's we thought the engine would put out... never worked right lol

yea i didnt know you were running a 9 hp ... suburu's are awesome... yea i dont doubt you could pull 30 mph

ps... went winching with my original winch 2 days in a row and it still pulls like a dream... i had forgotten how much fun random winching was... we threw in a incline and a kicker and had a blast...