Sprags

[MikeDe]

Was wondering if some can explain the differences between sprag, diode and spragless converters. Advantages/Disadvantages for each. Drag racing application.

 

[drwebb]

I'm no expert, so here's the poop sheet giving the advantages of the diode:

http://www.meansindustries.com/oneway.html

Supposedly sprag-type clutches used to be smaller and lighter than balls, allowing tighter packing of load-carrying elements into the same area. I assume a ball-type would be lower cost than sprag. Only advantages of these types over diodes I can see is that the latter has to index about 15 degrees for engagement while the others may be less, and much development went in to minimizing wear in sprags, whereas the newer-tech diodes might still be in optimization in this respect.

Interesting how the mfgr touts the cost-effectiveness of the diodes, but I wonder if they're sold at a premium for drag racing apps!