Second boat test of K-Lab's new "Dolphin Drive" concept is near! Parts are in. A counter rotation version of the drive is being assembled.
January 11, 2020.
A new year and development continues. Initial, "standard rotation" drive testing provided good learning and highlighted some improvement opportunities.
Good news: The blades are strong. The gears are quiet. Nothing leaked. Nothing broke. The core design elements all function.
A challenge: Instrumentation gremlins left an information void. Since gauges and sensors work, it appears to be in the wiring or power supply. I could not read trim and pitch positions, but was relatively easy to remedy.
K-Lab's Super Vee test boat is almost ready for more action. The engine, exhaust, DTS controls, steering, and tabs are all dialed in. We cycled all the systems under power with the first prototype.
With learning from the first tests, I made some improvements. Those changes are incorporated in the counter rotation prototype that I'm building now (with the close - albeit relaxed - supervision of K-Lab's quality assurance support dog, Sophia). Unfortunately, I've injured my left thumb which has slowed assembly progress to a crawl while it heals. When assembly is complete, I will be heading back to Florida to swap the drive and conduct more rigorous on-water testing!
January 11, 2020.
A new year and development continues. Initial, "standard rotation" drive testing provided good learning and highlighted some improvement opportunities.
Good news: The blades are strong. The gears are quiet. Nothing leaked. Nothing broke. The core design elements all function.
A challenge: Instrumentation gremlins left an information void. Since gauges and sensors work, it appears to be in the wiring or power supply. I could not read trim and pitch positions, but was relatively easy to remedy.
K-Lab's Super Vee test boat is almost ready for more action. The engine, exhaust, DTS controls, steering, and tabs are all dialed in. We cycled all the systems under power with the first prototype.
With learning from the first tests, I made some improvements. Those changes are incorporated in the counter rotation prototype that I'm building now (with the close - albeit relaxed - supervision of K-Lab's quality assurance support dog, Sophia). Unfortunately, I've injured my left thumb which has slowed assembly progress to a crawl while it heals. When assembly is complete, I will be heading back to Florida to swap the drive and conduct more rigorous on-water testing!
