Speed Calculator

[stampy]

isn't there 2 big things missing from that: weight and wind resistance

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by stampy

isn't there 2 big things missing from that: weight and wind resistance

Well, yes, but if you read my first post on this, it specifically says these are not included. Wind resistance would be all but impossible to figure; you'd need the wind speed and direction, truck surface area, and (the hardest) aerodynamic calculation based on the shape of the truck. Ugg.

However, with the last update, it indirectly addresses weight (sort of). If the vehicle weighed nothing, then the motor would pull very low current to get it going. Just the fact that a lot of current is drawn means it is pulling some weight around.

The point of this is to provide a reasonable estimate of what the final speed will be given various readily available parameters. It also can be used to compare various final reduction ratios for different spur/pinions, trannys, etc.