Drywasher fan Counterbalance RPM test

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G0lddigg@

Dustin
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ok so a little bit of Background, myself and MJB were having a discussion about what type of fan works better flat or beveled edge i thought beveled would work better he thought not. these were the test results and we thought it would be best to share with you lot who might be making your own dry washers at some stage. MJB won by a margin in the argument but kicked my ass when it comes to making fans.

Let me first say i think the only restriction on these fans is the actual weight that they have to turn and the fact that MJB's fans are so well made they both shi^%$ on mine :) Notably the fans both get more air space than mine as my fans are about 30% larger and protrude past the 3" opening quite a bit which this test has proven to be wasted space and non essential weight.

As such i didn't even test mine i knew right away that these fans performed smoother and better both in dial up and once air was removed continued to spin for some time. Notably the actual fan kick back i.e. fan feel on my face when testing was notably higher on the flat profile (subject 2).

so is this good or bad? i don't know I'll test in the field with dry dirt and see, maybe I'll have to incorporate a screen to deaden the impact of the direct pressure on the material or maybe the flat edge blade solves a problem here with minimal rpm impact.
The flat edges seemed to spread the wind force outward instead of upward.

So there was not a significant difference and these results would vary massively if the box was on more or less of an angle removing or adding to gravitational pull.

this is rpm taken on the outer counterweight, if taken from the fan center these fans were getting between 5-9000rpm because all surfaces are reflective its very hard to get a good test or accurate result.
now for results
test 1 subject bent edge

1414379210_test_1_result.jpg

1414379221_subject_1.jpg

1414380933_20141027_142603.jpg


test 2 subject straight edge
1414379250_subject_2_result.jpg
1414379265_subject_2.jpg
1414380947_20141027_142613.jpg
 
Great results there Golddigg@,

Its really good to be able to work toward developing another quality Aussie made prospecting tool.

I really can't wait now to find out how it goes up at Eldorado and which fan shape reaches the production stage.

DiggerDude said that once he ran damp to wet material through his Keene 140 and he retained as much fine gold as his mate running the same dirt through a highbanker. Maybe an interesting result on the weekend.

cheers,
 
had a scratch this morning for an hour ran the flat blade tested about 5 buckets worth of material got a few bits maybe 25. after this panned out a full 20 liter bucket of spoils and got one tiny speck much better than i would have expected for drywashing in the rain.

how sexy is this stuff..... its so bright and crunchy its only about .05 gs this is under a microscope the point is were catching the fines

1414460114_20141028_123204.jpg
 
That is Uber cool GD,

These dry washers are going to cop a flogging this summer. Very pretty gold mate
 
nice looking fan, well built.
i made mine from part ;) s from the local recycle yard. cost 5 bucks all up. will post a pic when i replace the cloth
 
:eek: Wow, that sure is nice fine gold there GD......very bright, flakey and angular!

Good purity i would say.

Great work on the blower mate!
 

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