Date:         Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:06:15 -0700
Reply-To:     Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Science of Washboarding
Comments: To: David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net>
In-Reply-To:  <4abfda8a.c5c2f10a.3ab8.5ace@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

On 9/27/2009 2:34 PM David Beierl wrote:

> At 03:48 PM 9/27/2009, Rocket J Squirrel wrote:
>> The shock absorbers must be doing a lot of in and out travel,
>> continuously
>> and rapidly when floating the body over washboard. Friction at the seals
>> where the smaller diameter portion of the shock goes into the larger
>> diameter bit could cause them to get mighty warm. A little KY perhaps?
>
> They get hot because they're converting mechanical energy into heat --
> that's their job and their nature.

Oh right. So regardless of design or brand, all shocks will convert the
input energy into the same amount of heat. What they do with that heat and
how well the materials used handle it is probably a major design
consideration -- after all, a shock absorber that overheats and fails
quickly is not desirable.

Do manufacturers rate these things in terms of power handling capability
or provide temperature ratings? Do the ones available for our Vanagons
vary much in this regard?

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Bend, OR
KG6RCR