Which weather data to monitor?

Geddes · 06-17-2010, 07:52 AM

I know this is an ongoing subject, but how about some input on most watched and used data.

Currently using a Kestrel 4250. How can water grains info be correctly used?

Is there a good source to find a compilation of all the terms and how they affect the car's performance?

I really think this forum will supply the answers.

Thanks to all.

Larry Geddes

Alan Roehrich · 06-18-2010, 06:51 AM

Grains of water is most often used as a reference to relative humidity, it simply tells you how much of the available air is actually water. You cannot burn water, effectively anyway.

You really have to make some runs and see what affects your particular combination, and to what degree. Not all engines react the same, especially if you consider the state of tune. The best way to use a weather station is to create and use an Excel spread sheet, so that you can accurately record each weather condition, and how it affected your car, and then go back and determine how much each condition moves your ET and MPH for a given amount of change.

Adger Smith · 06-18-2010, 08:46 AM

When dealing with weather Data and tuneup IMHO there is no one part of weather data that is More important than any other. I say that because there are are so many combinations and cross combinations of weather/air mass that can give the same or very similar performance parameters. Use all the data....

Alan Roehrich · 06-18-2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adger Smith

When dealing with weather Data and tuneup IMHO there is no one part of weather data that is More important than any other. I say that because there are are so many combinations and cross combinations of weather/air mass that can give the same or very similar performance parameters. Use all the data....

Correct. My only point is that most people find that a certain weather condition will affect their particular car more than the others, and it is not always the same. Some of that is due to their "tune up". Some of that is due to the attributes and limitations of a particular combination.

You could quite easily and literally write a book on this subject. It simply cannot be adequately covered here in the constraints of a BBS post.

Lew Silverman · 06-18-2010, 10:01 AM

I just started to use the Kestrel 4250, so I'm not quite up to speed yet, but the idea is to collect as much data as possible ( temperature, humidity, altitude density and so forth) to establish a pattern of how your car reacts to changes in the weather and it's effect on performance. Once that information is obtained, you can track changes. Kestrel also offers a data logger to connect the 4250 to a computer to build the Excel spreadsheet that Alan mentioned, too!

Now to find a good ET prediction software package!!

Lew

Alan Roehrich · 06-18-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew Silverman

I just started to use the Kestrel 4250, so I'm not quite up to speed yet, but the idea is to collect as much data as possible ( temperature, humidity, altitude density and so forth) to establish a pattern of how your car reacts to changes in the weather and it's effect on performance. Once that information is obtained, you can track changes. Kestrel also offers a data logger to connect the 4250 to a computer to build the Excel spreadsheet that Alan mentioned, too!

Now to find a good ET prediction software package!!

Lew

Hopefully Larry Meaux over at Max Race Software will have his program finished soon. Larry's software is outstanding.

Lew Silverman · 06-18-2010, 10:09 AM

Thanks, Alan!!

Lew

Geddes · 06-20-2010, 08:47 AM

Thanks.....guys

Alan Roehrich · 06-20-2010, 08:52 AM

There are a few books and articles you can read to learn more. I think the Dragster had a couple of David Reher articles, somewhere there is some stuff written by Jere Stahl. You've got a great weather station, I'll be getting one of them soon.

SSDiv6 · 06-20-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

There are a few books and articles you can read to learn more. I think the Dragster had a couple of David Reher articles, somewhere there is some stuff written by Jere Stahl. You've got a great weather station, I'll be getting one of them soon.

The best book on the subject is Patrick Hale's book titled: "Motorsports Standard Atmosphere and Weather Correction Methods".

06-17-2010, 07:52 AM	#1
Geddes Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Barnesville, Ohio Posts: 91 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Which weather data to monitor? I know this is an ongoing subject, but how about some input on most watched and used data. Currently using a Kestrel 4250. How can water grains info be correctly used? Is there a good source to find a compilation of all the terms and how they affect the car's performance? I really think this forum will supply the answers. Thanks to all. Larry Geddes

06-18-2010, 06:51 AM	#2
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,098 Likes: 1,550 Liked 1,778 Times in 404 Posts	Re: Which weather data to monitor? Grains of water is most often used as a reference to relative humidity, it simply tells you how much of the available air is actually water. You cannot burn water, effectively anyway. You really have to make some runs and see what affects your particular combination, and to what degree. Not all engines react the same, especially if you consider the state of tune. The best way to use a weather station is to create and use an Excel spread sheet, so that you can accurately record each weather condition, and how it affected your car, and then go back and determine how much each condition moves your ET and MPH for a given amount of change. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

06-18-2010, 08:46 AM	#3
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: Which weather data to monitor? When dealing with weather Data and tuneup IMHO there is no one part of weather data that is More important than any other. I say that because there are are so many combinations and cross combinations of weather/air mass that can give the same or very similar performance parameters. Use all the data.... __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)

06-18-2010, 10:01 AM	#5
Lew Silverman VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,435 Likes: 371 Liked 129 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Which weather data to monitor? I just started to use the Kestrel 4250, so I'm not quite up to speed yet, but the idea is to collect as much data as possible ( temperature, humidity, altitude density and so forth) to establish a pattern of how your car reacts to changes in the weather and it's effect on performance. Once that information is obtained, you can track changes. Kestrel also offers a data logger to connect the 4250 to a computer to build the Excel spreadsheet that Alan mentioned, too! Now to find a good ET prediction software package!! Lew __________________ Lew Silverman #2070 "The Wagon Master" N/SA

06-18-2010, 10:09 AM	#7
Lew Silverman VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,435 Likes: 371 Liked 129 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Which weather data to monitor? Thanks, Alan!! Lew __________________ Lew Silverman #2070 "The Wagon Master" N/SA

06-20-2010, 08:47 AM	#8
Geddes Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Barnesville, Ohio Posts: 91 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Which weather data to monitor? Thanks.....guys

06-20-2010, 08:52 AM	#9
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,098 Likes: 1,550 Liked 1,778 Times in 404 Posts	Re: Which weather data to monitor? There are a few books and articles you can read to learn more. I think the Dragster had a couple of David Reher articles, somewhere there is some stuff written by Jere Stahl. You've got a great weather station, I'll be getting one of them soon. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S