Anyone have wind tunnel access?

[AndyL]

G'day All,

Just wondering - does anyone here know of a rentable or have access to a wind tunnel? Full size isn't needed - thinking 1/24 models or thereabouts.

Looking at building a new truck camper this winter - really want to take a good look at the aerodynamics - have a feeling the cab / overhang is a major drag issue (roll down my window with my TC on - and I can feel it buffetting like crazy) - and want to see what I can do to aleviate some of it.

[ExtraSlow]

Why not make one? a large fan placed about ten feet from your test area, and a few PVC pipes could be used as poor-boy straightening vanes. Hook your fan up to a rheostat so you can vary the wind speed with some precision. Use a stick of incense taped to a broom handle.

Should be pretty simple, and plenty accurate for this type of test. Wouldn't be suitable for airplanes . . .
The hardest part is making the models of your different camper configurations.

Let me know if you want a diagram of the setup I'm describing. Should be less than $50 and one afternoon of work.

[AndyL]

Had a homebuilt one a long time ago - was just hoping that someone here might have access to one. Back when I was young - used one for a science project / R/C planes - lots of drinking straws and a shop vac to drive it (seem to recall it was a lionel train smoke system to feed smoke). Was hoping someone might have one already built to play with.

Building the camper models won't be soo hard bit of foam / fiberglass - it's the truck thats turning into a bit of fun - can't seem to find a 88-98 chev crewcab dually model.

[e31]

I doubt you would be looking to test full scale up to 200kph, but I could probably arrange access if you did!

http://dcnonl.com/images/archivesid/30989/230.jpg

[ryanallan]

Is that in Ottawa ?

[Abeo]

Originally posted by ryanallan
Is that in Ottawa ?

yup, right near the airport

[AndyL]

I remember that place :) Got a tour when I lived in ottawa once upon an eon ago... They had a ? 1/2? sized F18 in it at the time that they were testing some new munitions mounts on...

[Alak]

Originally posted by AndyL
I remember that place :) Got a tour when I lived in ottawa once upon an eon ago... They had a ? 1/2? sized F18 in it at the time that they were testing some new munitions mounts on...

That windtunnel is one of the badest around. I was there awhile ago and it looked like they were testing what looked like formula 1 cars at the time.

[Tik-Tok]

Just go to the "loading zone" parking of the SAIT old residence building.

I swear even when the city is flat calm, there's a 50 knot wind howling through there.

[Rat Fink]

.

[AndyL]

Hrm, any clue who'd be the contact over there? Define good enough purpose - not sure if building my own camper really fits but... :)

[Rat Fink]

.

[rage2]

Originally posted by Alak
That windtunnel is one of the badest around. I was there awhile ago and it looked like they were testing what looked like formula 1 cars at the time.
Not even close.

Windshear's windtunnel > *.

PS5X46mXjTE

[4lti]

Originally posted by rage2

Not even close.

Windshear's windtunnel



Ok thats just waaaay to crazy. Whole other level of wind tunnels.

[Alak]

Originally posted by rage2

Not even close.

Windshear's windtunnel




Correction. Around Ottawa. Hahahaha.

[Travel_Dude]

My buddy works in the Wind tunnel at NASA in Seattle. Let me know. :P

[AndyL]

LOL don't think I need NASA yet :)

Started playing around with MicroCFD - get some initial ideas down... Frig my rig as-is is worse than a frigging square (literally!) :) No wonder I want to build a new one.

[legendboy]

i have a wind tunnel (at work). Its 24" dia pipe with a 36"^2 square end on it. About 10 duct diameters between the fan and the inlet. Does 13"wg and about 16,000cfm

[Alak]

Anyone watch the latest episode of top gear? They did a special on campers...