Test Wheels

dduck

Recruit
Joined
May 23, 2004
Messages
5
Am doing a little tune up work now and then in my spare time. Was certified on Johnsons years ago. I would like to find access to test wheels for test tank use. Perhaps specs on turning down regular props. Am also looking for a test tank. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Test Wheels

Howdy DDuck.<br /><br />Welcome to iboats. :) <br /><br />Hard to get test wheels. If you use a 6' or 8' round stock watering tank with a mock transom installed, you can usually turn the engine to one side and run WOT with the regular prop. It is also sometimes easy to back a boat up to the tank and tilt the engine lower unit into the tank.<br /><br />I have seen this done by shade-tree "bote fixers" with up to 100hp engines. Seems to work fine.<br /><br />I am going to move this to General Outboard because it applies to all makes.<br /><br />Good luck. :)
 

dduck

Recruit
Joined
May 23, 2004
Messages
5
Re: Test Wheels

Hey, thanks for your quick response. I appreciate it. I have used stock tanks before, but I hate the mess they make. I need this to be indoors for wintertime use as well, so the mess is a problem.
 

duck-n-pond

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 27, 2003
Messages
124
Re: Test Wheels

Can't help you dduck, but would like to know what a test wheel looks like...you know, how is it made. They are mentioned in my repair manual but would like to know just to satisfy curiosity. Thanks
 

dduck

Recruit
Joined
May 23, 2004
Messages
5
Re: Test Wheels

The test wheels I have used in the past are cast aluminum. They are made with several "vanes" instead of blades. The vanes are enclosed by an outer ring. The test wheel is designed to load the engine without the "prop wash" and cavitation caused by a regular prop. They allow the engine to run up to max RPM irrespective of pitch and diameter etc.
 
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