[s-cars] Of Water & a new Kind of Waterfest wetter

[Robert Pastore]

Taka:

I'm still waiting for a few pieces to be shipped, so this report really
isn't ready for Prime Time. I'll do a complete report after the August Event
at the Glen.  Bruce is installing the Aquamist system.   He (and I) both
consulted with Brad Schaeffer at Georges Imports (816-333-6582) about our
requirements.   Brad is "THE GUY" when it comes to WI in the USA.  He's an
Aquamist distributor, but welcomes DIY setups, and can supply Aquamist parts
for a DIY project.

Aquamist's controller works off of Injector duty cycle and increases the
pulse of a solenoid valve so the system acts like a 6th fuel injector
injecting water/alcohol after some threshold duty cycle is reached.
Aquamist is regarded as the best engineered "off the shelf" system out
there, and they have a few different systems depending on your budget/need/.
Bruce can comment, but I think the cost is between $550 and $600.

My Project is somewhat different than the Aquamist setup Bruce is
installing.   First off, I went for overkill, and my cost will about be the
same as the Aquamist.

Instead of turning on and off my pump on WI demand, which might lead to slow
system response as it builds pressure (i.e Aquamist or Shurflow pump), I am
using a Pumptec pump capable of 220 PSI, and an external boost referenced
pressure regulator. I'll initially try a 4-5 bar setting.  Essentially, this
will act like a fuel rail, always ready,  but for water/alcohol instead.
The nozzles are Aquamist (the best out there), and will be set for 2 stage
operation, each controlled by a hobbs pressure switch -- 1st stage at 5 psi,
2nd stage, a larger nozzle set at 10-15 PSI(the switches are adjustable).
Driving the system will be the Autospeed Intercooler Spray Controller, which
monitors both temperature differential ( ambient vs. intercooler core or
Intake Air) and Injector duty cycle.  When both of these conditions (user
adjustable and with a learning function) are met, the controller will turn
on the pump. Instead of running the pump with it, (My pump will work off the
fuel pump circuit) I will use the Autospeed controller in series with the
above mentioned pressure switches to turn on the two stages.  So if the temp
delta *AND* the Duty Cycle % are high enough, *AND* there is more than 5 PSI
boost, then stage 1 water injection kicks in. After boost reaches 10-15 PSI
(setting to be found by trial and error), Stage II will fire.

We are both using our stock washer bottle (6.4L) and will both inject washer
fluid ( about a 50/50 mix of water/alcohol, with a little blue dye added).
I have installed the "intensive washer system" from a 92 to wash my
windshield when the system is in season. I will use a relay to cut off the
main washer pump and instead use the intensive pump when the system is in
use.  I might have to live with dirty headlights then (good thing they are
Xenon's!)

It all works so beautifully on paper.....Let's see what happens when it is
finally implemented!

Bob

PS> confession of a sick mind -- My son's 11th birthday was a few weeks ago,
and I got him a Radio Controlled car that runs on Nitromethane.   This fuel
aint cheap, but it's the same color as washer fluid and I was
thinking...................




-----Original Message-----
From: TM [mailto:t44tq at mindspring.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2002 12:41 PM
To: 'mlp'; 'Robert Pastore'; 'Mathieu Mouraud'; s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: RE: [s-cars] Of Water & a new Kind of Waterfest wetter


Mike, Bob-
Can you share any knowledge you have of vendors that have a water
injection setup that is well suited to our Audis?

I know a local lister is getting an Aquamist (?) setup, wondering if
that's the way to go and how you all plan on feeding the system, in
terms of water supply, etc.

Taka