Leeds-based Ginetta Cars has chosen Variohm EPT3100 pressure transducers to monitor oil, fuel and water pressure across all of its G50 series of race cars. The 300bhp G50 'Cup' race car is exclusively used for the single-make Michelin G50 Championship, which starts again in April 2010. A newly introduced G50Z version features a 400bhp Ford Zytek engine and is aimed at top-level GT sprint and 24-hour racing.The latest derivative, the G50HC (hot climate), is built for the Middle East race-car market and is designed for track temperatures up to +60C. Throughout the G50 series, the engine control unit and data logging systems are used to ensure optimum performance and Variohm's EPT3100 series pressure transducers are built for challenging applications where high performance and reliability need to be balanced with lightweight design, compact dimensions and a competitive cost.
The EPT3100's thin-film measuring cell and high-level-output circuit technology provide a pressure output from 0.25bar to 4,000bar in several range options, with accuracy better than +/-0.8 per cent and stability more than +/-0.1 per cent. Output options include 0-5V, ratiometric and 4-20mA with up to 32V input. For maximum durability, the EPT3100 features a 1,000g shock rating and a 25g peak vibration rating at 20-2,000Hz. The IP66-rated sealed sensor is housed in a hermetically welded 304 stainless-steel casing, weighing 60g and measuring 22mm in diameter and 54mm in length.
A choice of miniature or standard DIN43650 connectors, or flying leads, is designed to make installation and field replacement straightforward. To meet the demands of the gruelling conditions for all types of autosports - and the most challenging industrial applications - the EPT3100 has an over-range pressure rating of 2x and a burst pressure capability to 5x, with a rated life of more than 10 million pressure cycles. The EPT3100 is a part of a range of specialist sensors and transducers that Variohm Eurosensor supplies across the autosports industry, including Formula 1, A1GP, WTCC, GP2, Champ, Nascar, ALMS and Superbike.
The complete range includes pressure and temperature sensor solutions for fuel, oil, coolant and brakes as well as force, torque and position measurement sensors for suspension travel, throttle and gearbox. Laser and infrared technologies are also supplied for ride height position and tyre condition.
