Armand, Lorie, et Listers,
I couldn't access this site, but with regard to a triple-pass radiator,
this is certainly not a new concept. I first saw this type of radiator in
the mid '70s, and they probably weren't new even then. I have never heard
an explanation I believed about why double or triple pass would be better.
I had a long conversation with Ron Davis (aluminum racing radiator builder)
about the multiple pass concept and he believes that two is better than
one, but three is too much. This I am sure of, a three pass radiator has
NINE TIMES ( that's 9X) the flow resistance of a single pass radiator. If
you try using a garden hose to run water through a three-pass, you'll
quickly see what I mean. I ended up getting a three-pass from Ron, but am
not convinced I did the right thing; would have preferred a two-pass, but
that leaves the outlet and inlet on the same side so it requires some
modifications to the hoses and water pump. At the very least, a three-pass
needs a good water pump that will provide enough pressure to ensure good
flow, especially at low rpms. I got my water pump from Sunbeam Specialties
and it seems to do a good job. In fact, I drilled a 1/8" hole in the
thermostat and even this small hole allows enough flow to keep it running
well below the thermostat regulation temp (195 F) most of the time.
Bob
At 10:35 AM 8/30/98 +0100, Armand & Lorie Ritchie wrote:
>Hi all I just checked out a neat web site (www.usradiators.com) they have a
>novel concept of radiator design. Triple flow which they claim is the most
>efficient. the radiator is made with three separate chambers that the
>coolant must travel through. They do customs and hotrods also sports cars.
>You can submit a drawing and they will give you a quote on price.
>Interesting site.
>regards Armand Ritchie
>
>ritchie@mcn.org
>Armand & Lorie Ritchie
>
Robert L. Palmer
Dept. of AMES, Univ. of Calif., San Diego
rpalmer@ames.ucsd.edu
rpalmer@cts.com
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