Subject: Turbocharging
From: Rotary Engine
Date: 4/13/2007, 5:43 AM
To: AARotary Engine

        SNIP:
        ...........I turbo normalize plus (make moderate gains in power
   at S/L
        through use
        of the turbo then 'normalize' that amount of power for benefit at
        altitude).  I achieve that by use of the throttle.

        I have a fixed waste 'gate' (exhaust bypass really) because it
   was the
        easiest way for me to get a big wastegate.  I believe an
   aircraft style
        wastegate is an excellent choice, but a LARGE automotive style
   can work
        equally well and is more available and less expensive.

        David Leonard

   Turbo Rotary RV-6 N4VY
   N4VY.RotaryRoster.net <http://N4VY.RotaryRoster.net>
   www.RotaryRoster.net <http://www.RotaryRoster.net>
   leonardiniraq.blogspot.com <http://leonardiniraq.blogspot.com>



        David,
        Again I apologize for my ignorance, but can you explain exactly
   what you
        mean by "fixed wastegate"?  If I understand the term "fixed
        wastegate",  its basically a wastegate that is always open a
   little to
        allow a constant leak?  That would also allow a constant
   percentage of
        the exhaust to flow into the turbine side of the turbo.  If that is
        correct, Why use a "wastegate" at all?  Why not just have a small
        port before the turbine that leaks exhaust around the turbo and
   back
        into the exhaust pipe?  I guess a set up like that would
   require some
        sort of trial and error getting the % of exhaust bypass
   correct.  Maybe
        some type of restrictor in the bypass port?   But you would
   have much
        control of the turbo that way!!   Is that why you use a "fixed
        wastegate"?  So you can adjust the amount of bypass?  How does that
        differ from the normal wastegate operation?  I thought a wastegate
        cycled from open to closed based on its duty cycle.  That's
   different
        from the fixed wastegate isn't it??  Damn I'm confused!!!!!
   Also what
        do you mean by, "then 'normalize' that amount of power for
   benefit at
        altitude).  I achieve that by use of the throttle."  I didn't
   follow
        that part at all.
        Don


   Don, you are right that it is not a wastgate proper, but a bypass
   port..  it used to be a wastegate until if removed the flapper valve.
   Why? Because it was creating more back pressure than necessary for the
   boost I needed - even with the flapper in the full open position.
   Nothing fancy, I just hacked it off with a dremmel.  That opened up the
   exhaust flow quite a bit.

   There is still enough exhaust energy to get me about 10 psi boost (about
   50 MAP) at sea level but I never use more than 5 psi. (that is the plus
   part).  at 10000' I still have over 30"MAP available (that is the
   normalization part).  Just like anyone else, I just control my MAP by
   using my throttle - there is nothing else to control except mixture
   etc..

   Not the most optimal set up, but not bad either.  Cheap, easy and
   effective.  The opening does not have to be exact.  The preferred method
   would be to use a much larger turbine housing and an operative
   wastegate, but that is difficult, expensive, and most of all - won't fit
   in my installation.

   --

   David Leonard

   Turbo Rotary RV-6 N4VY
   N4VY.RotaryRoster.net <http://N4VY.RotaryRoster.net>
   www.RotaryRoster.net <http://www.RotaryRoster.net>
   leonardiniraq.blogspot.com <http://leonardiniraq.blogspot.com>



Thanks David, that clarifies things quite a bit for me.  I really
appreciate the info.  This is a subject that I thought I understood
until I actually contemplated building it and started thinking it
through.  I quickly realized that there is a lot more to it.  Your
spreadsheet has been very helpful for zeroing in a several different
turbos that will work.  Which turbos are you actually running in your
plane?  Is it oil or water cooler or both?

Thanks again!!
Don Mitchell



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