Re: Series Vs PM, Was: Junior Dragster questions

[Lee Hart <leeahart@earthlink.net>]

David Chapman wrote:
> Anyone have an opinion as to which would be better for a drag car,
> a series wound motor, or a PM, all ratings otherwise being the same?
> Or would a shunt/compound wound be the hot ticket, in order to
> decrease the need for a high dollar controller?

Bill Dube' made some good points about the controller being a critical
item. I would generalize it a bit and say that "control" is the primary
issue.

As I understand it, the junior dragster rules limit top speed, elapsed
time, and handicap it so you're competing against your own declared
time, not the fastest car. This sounds to me like they aren't trying to
maximize performance, but are just trying to have fun, keep the costs
down, and make it so anybody can win.

Winning isn't everything. The more straightforward and affordable the
car, the more that will get built, and the better it is for everybody.

For the junior dragsters, I don't think it really matters what motor you
use. Or what controller, or what battery. Any setup can give good,
repeatable results if properly set up. Pick a combination, experiment
with it, learn it, debug it, and have fun! What you learn can then be
applied to an all-out dragster where speed *does* determine the winner!
-- 
Lee A. Hart                     Ring the bells that you can ring
4209 France Ave. N.             Forget the perfect offering
Robbinsdale, MN 55422 USA       There is a crack in everything
phone (612) 533-3226            That's how the light gets in
leeahart@earthlink.net                  Leonard Cohen