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Istas · 06-10-2009, 12:52 AM

I likes me some testing with tufts.

The documenting didn't go as smoothly as planned (I do not have video of mirror out, but I do have pictures of mirror out), but I did some tuft testing.

Main goal of the tufting was to see if the flow, once separated from the roof or upper rear window, re-attached at all at the back of the trunk (I had figured it separates from the rear window, and it does)

Another goal was to document the turbulence effects of removing the side-view mirror.

Tufts!

I like tufts.

Mmm, laminar. Nothing out of the ordinary, just wanted to see what it looked like. I do plan on putting a deflector just in front of the wipers.

Rear window. As I thought, total separation. Even the top row of tufts wasn't aiming the right way.

I could use some interpretation help with the trunk. It looks to me like the airflow tentatively rejoins the trunk a bit, but that it's not smooth at all.

That second to last row was swinging left and right, both sorta towards the middle, but not aiming forward (towards the front of the car). I'm not sure if that last row is pushed off the trunk, or if it's being pulled out by the turbulent airflow behind the trunk.

Now, for the side. Mirror in "normal" position.

Lots of movement on all three rows. I guess a 40-square-inch-front-area mirror will do that.

Second, folded in.

Not as bad, but still turbulent down the whole side. Bottom row was calmer than the middle.

Last, mirror off completely.

Mmmm, two smooth rows. The top row, though, is still angled up. The angle gets progressively less, it's barely that way in the back window. That top row's wiggling, but the other two are pretty smooth.

I guess the a-pillar's creating a sort of vortex just behind it against the glass, and that it's pulled along next to the upper windows, so it's angling the tufts up that way. Kinda nifty, actually. This would be worth testing some turbulator tape on the A-pillar, another time.

I didn't see much difference on the rear window or trunk with regard to the different mirror configs.

I have two videos, the mirror off and the mirror folded, neither very high quality and both from inside the car. I've never really posted to Youtube before, but I might try it, maybe. Not just now though. If the quality I got were higher I would be more inclined, but I don't have a video camera, so we went with what we had.

06-10-2009, 12:52 AM	#29 (permalink)
Istas is not covered in bees. Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seeley Lake, Montana, USA Posts: 207 Honda - '05 Honda Accord EX 90 day: 27.16 mpg (US) Insight - '00 Honda Insight w A/C 90 day: 66.55 mpg (US) Thanks: 53 Thanked 51 Times in 26 Posts	Tuft testing! I likes me some testing with tufts. The documenting didn't go as smoothly as planned (I do not have video of mirror out, but I do have pictures of mirror out), but I did some tuft testing. Main goal of the tufting was to see if the flow, once separated from the roof or upper rear window, re-attached at all at the back of the trunk (I had figured it separates from the rear window, and it does) Another goal was to document the turbulence effects of removing the side-view mirror. Tufts! I like tufts. Mmm, laminar. Nothing out of the ordinary, just wanted to see what it looked like. I do plan on putting a deflector just in front of the wipers. Rear window. As I thought, total separation. Even the top row of tufts wasn't aiming the right way. I could use some interpretation help with the trunk. It looks to me like the airflow tentatively rejoins the trunk a bit, but that it's not smooth at all. That second to last row was swinging left and right, both sorta towards the middle, but not aiming forward (towards the front of the car). I'm not sure if that last row is pushed off the trunk, or if it's being pulled out by the turbulent airflow behind the trunk. Now, for the side. Mirror in "normal" position. Lots of movement on all three rows. I guess a 40-square-inch-front-area mirror will do that. Second, folded in. Not as bad, but still turbulent down the whole side. Bottom row was calmer than the middle. Last, mirror off completely. Mmmm, two smooth rows. The top row, though, is still angled up. The angle gets progressively less, it's barely that way in the back window. That top row's wiggling, but the other two are pretty smooth. I guess the a-pillar's creating a sort of vortex just behind it against the glass, and that it's pulled along next to the upper windows, so it's angling the tufts up that way. Kinda nifty, actually. This would be worth testing some turbulator tape on the A-pillar, another time. I didn't see much difference on the rear window or trunk with regard to the different mirror configs. I have two videos, the mirror off and the mirror folded, neither very high quality and both from inside the car. I've never really posted to Youtube before, but I might try it, maybe. Not just now though. If the quality I got were higher I would be more inclined, but I don't have a video camera, so we went with what we had.