BTW one HP is 746 watts. At 14 volts with the alternator running
that is 53 amps. In theory it does not take much HP to pump water
at this flow rate and pressure. This is a stock Mazda
13B water pump. Any reduction in this flow rate risks
damaging the engine.


Paul Lamar

American Flyer wrote:

Has anyone tried measuring the current to the motor as an indication
of HP? It might be easier than a mechanical measurement because
imbalance and vibration would probably not show up in the readings.
The meter (assuming something like a digital clamp-on) would
naturally integrate out fast variations.

Harrison Young

With alternting current this is a loser, because of phase shift. If you
can score a real wattmeter it then becomes a viable concept - Vance

American Flyer wrote:

Vance,

I agree that power factor is a problem, but if that motor is working 
as hard as it sounds, it would begin to look fairly resistive
(i.e. little phase shift). I'd bet that you still get at least 
as accurate a reading measuring current as with a mechanical device.
I wish I lived close to you guys, I'd bring over a power-meter 
(AKA digital oscilloscope, current shunt, and software).

Harrison Young

 
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