Milestone 7: Dynamometer Fabrication and Electronic Controls

After delays getting material in for the dynamometer fabrication is nearing completion. This past week, we finished fabricating components and welding. We were also able to remove the engine, right-angle gearbox, and clutch housing from the Wildcat 3525 to use as our test engine when we get the dynamometer running. We are currently working on wiring the engine, electronic controls, and data logging devices. We hope to have reached completion by the end of this semester.

Alongside fabricating the dynamometer testing stand, we have been utilizing Danfoss to write code that communicates with the Kawasaki engine via CAN communication. Danfoss PLUS +1 is a graphical, visual programming environment that enables users to create data flows without writing traditional code. Danfoss offers a variety of projects ranging from power solutions for the agricultural and construction industries to climate solutions for heating and cooling.  Danfoss is a large sponsor of the ASABE IQS Competition, providing teams with electronic control and monitoring components. Since the Wildcat Pulling Team uses Danfoss on their builds, they wanted to also use the system on the dynamometer. Pictured below are snapshots that we will program into the Danfoss hardware on the dynamometer to control throttle, send and receive messages to the engine using JS1939 function blocks,  and display engine data.