In the interests of trivia I was wondering if anyone has been able to measure how much power a kite REALLY has (of a certain size in a certain wind etc).
Would it be measured in Newtons, joules or kilograms or what?
I'm sure these kites of ours are more powerful than some motorboats.
Or could you work it out by saying that an 80kg rider was lifted 20 feet and do the sums from there?
A question thought up on a no-wind day....
G.
Can you measure a kites strength?
you could use a test rig achored to the ground with the kite connected to measuring device then dive the kite through the power zone to get the max reading, you could do this in ever increasing wind to the point of destruction to find the maximum pull thet kite could generate. But the results will be of little use and it would be a waste of good kites.
Any other form of testing imho would be too subjective, in respect to wind conditions and rider weight and skill level and board etc etc .
Any other form of testing imho would be too subjective, in respect to wind conditions and rider weight and skill level and board etc etc .
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KiteGlider
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Hi Grantwe -
I've always wanted to see real power data on kites.
This is one way I think a team of 2 or 3 people might do it.
Requires an air-speed sensor on the kite, and an indicator for readings below with you.
The kite is then anchored to a power watercraft, or a truck on land, with a load measuring device to read the amount of pull.
The test can be conducted very conservativly without destruction to the kite, boat, or yourself.
Tow the kite maintained at zennith (no turns) Record the airspeed and pulling force as you go. For example, at 10 kts airspeed(actual speed of the kite transmitted from the sensor on the kite.) you might get a reading of 50kg on the scale. Then take a reading at 15, then 20kts(very carefully) With a few readings you could make a power curve an a chart.
Then take readings with the bar at power, middle and depower for example.
what'you think? Would make a fun science fair project.
KG
I've always wanted to see real power data on kites.
This is one way I think a team of 2 or 3 people might do it.
Requires an air-speed sensor on the kite, and an indicator for readings below with you.
The kite is then anchored to a power watercraft, or a truck on land, with a load measuring device to read the amount of pull.
The test can be conducted very conservativly without destruction to the kite, boat, or yourself.
Tow the kite maintained at zennith (no turns) Record the airspeed and pulling force as you go. For example, at 10 kts airspeed(actual speed of the kite transmitted from the sensor on the kite.) you might get a reading of 50kg on the scale. Then take a reading at 15, then 20kts(very carefully) With a few readings you could make a power curve an a chart.
Then take readings with the bar at power, middle and depower for example.
what'you think? Would make a fun science fair project.
KG
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KiteGlider
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