View Single Post
Old 07-05-2012, 04:04 PM   #6
Jim Parsons
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Kearney Mo
Posts: 197
Likes: 427
Liked 195 Times in 30 Posts
Default Re: Fuel check question

One part of the process that you may be taking for granted is the test instrumentation and its calibration certification. When we speak of calibration its not the "zeroing" of the meter that is done periodically but actual verification using a certified standard, typically cyclohexane at a precise temperature using a certified thermocouple in a controlled environment.

Having sat on a FIA fuel and lubrication committee that developed test procedures for international Kart racing gas testing this process is critical for field test meters that get transported about. The dielectric field test meters used by NHRA are typically reliable but do need to be calibrated periodically both for accuracy and part of their test criteria. I'm not saying their meters were wrong just mentioning this as a possible discrepancy especially from one division to another.
The most accurate test method is a gas chromatographer which are very expensive and not so mobile and are seldom seen at race tracks.

FYI: From my personal experience with dielectric testing temperature accuracy is critical in the equation.

Jim
Jim Parsons is offline   Reply With Quote