You had a good point right up to the last paragraph, where you started to
ramble. I was trying not to confuse the poor soul with the effects of
differently SHAPED flywheels. Of course, if the weight is centered further
out, it will act like a heavier flywheel that is normally shaped. But the
1/2 oz that you save will not be noticeable to this brave new soul for quite
a while, if ever. He won't have to compromize on an oddly shaped flywheel
wich may force him to dremel his chassis either. Try to keep your advice
targeted to the level of the addressee, you know.
--
Justin Mahn
remove Panties to reply
"Keybaud" <anyone@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:rsa5bv0ju5vh7bu85ruhpmrvbsstvq8576@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 1 May 2003 18:24:50 -0500, "Justin Mahn"
> <gabrilPanties@tcainternet.com> wrote:
>
> >6mm. No seriously, the diameter has less to do with it than the weight.
> >The flywheel only needs to be heavy enough to keep the engine running at
> >idle. A heavier flywheel will idle smoother but have slower
acceleration.
> >Think of it as rotating mass. Too light of a flywheel will not have
enough
> >mass to compress the cylinder from momentum. The only time diameter
makes a
> >difference is when you need to use a bump starter. Then you want the
> >flywheel to just barely come below the chassis. Any furthe than that,
and
> >you will kill the engine by rubbing the flywheel on the ground.
>
> Increasing diameter will act in a similar manner to increasing the
> weight. If you keep the weight constant, but increase the diameter, it
> will be harder to spin, etc.
>
> Ice skaters bring their arms in to spin fast and out to spin slow.
> Their weight stays the same, but the speed they spin at changes. Same
> effect with a flywheel.
>
> Thus you can keep the weight down by using a larger diameter flywheel,
> but it may be weaker if it is lighter...etc....
>
> Simon