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Windshield-mounted K.A.T. Matrix accelerometer assigns numbers to your gas-guzzling recklessness
As we move into the final days of the internal combustion engine, we might as well revel in all those g-forces and acceleration we’re enjoying before peak oil has long passed and we go all-nuclear. What better way to celebrate your gas-guzzling hijinks than mounting an accelerometer up in your face, flaunting your car’s vital speed stats right there on the windshield?
This K.A.T. Matrix accelerometer numerically illustrates your wanton hoonage, measuring your hot-rod’s horsepower, g-forces, 0-60 acceleration, quarter-mile speed, and cornering. It’s easy to set up, too, requiring no wiring and just a trio of three AA batteries to keep it going and going for a year. Looks like some good show-off fun for a mere $60.
Computer Geeks, via Jalopnik
By Ron at 12:04 AM ON 10/08/08
I just bought one...where can I get info on how to set it up acurately?
My main concern is the Horsepower Factor. What should I set it on for wheel horspower and then for engine horsepower as well?
The instructions are very limited and unclear.
By Jaredt at 12:52 AM ON 02/28/10
There are only a few factors important in setting it up.
First is that the meter is square with your car. it measures accelerations at right angles to the meter so if it's crooked, it will think that you are turning even when you go straight.
Second is that it is stable enough to not move after calibration.
Third is the weight of your vehicle. This includes the Curb Weight, Fuel, Driver, Passengers, Cargo, Aftermarket Parts, and EVERYTHING. If accurate HP is important then you may have to ask your girlfriend how much she weighs. I find it's safer to go to a truck stop and use their weigh station.
The meter measures the acceleration and uses the input weight to CALCULATE the force propelling your car forward. This force is exerted by the drive wheels and is therefore the "wheel HP". That is the only HP it can accurately find for you. If I remember correctly, there is a way to put in a conversion factor that gives you "engine HP" but that's highly subjective. You would have to know the actual BHP and RWHP before you could calculate an accurate conversion factor. Even then, it's just a multiplier - you could probably do that in your head.
on your cellphone!
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Jaredt:
There are only a few factors important in setting it up. First is that the meter is square with your car. it measu...More »