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Draw Card PDF
Draw Card PDF
Draw Card PDF
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The conventional power card as used for measuring indicated power in the cylinder has its limitations. Because it is a
pressure/volume diagram, the piston piston movement and therefore volume change is very small either side of Bottom
Dead Centre and Top Dead Centre (i.e. each end of the diagram), and so what is happening at the end of compression and
start of combustion is squeezed into a very small area.
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Drawer Cards http://www.marinediesels.co.uk/members/Theory/drawcard.htm
As can be seen from the above diagrams, a draw card can show up faults such as early or late combustion of the fuel. This
could be due to incorrect timing or because of varying ignition delays.
Other faults which can be seen are a leaking or blocked fuel injector and afterburning.
Not all engines are fitted with the equipment to take power cards. However, a draw card can be taken on any engine fitted
with an indicator cock. A competent engineer, with practice, can take a draw card on an engine running at up to 450rpm
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