The school I teach in is involved in an event similar to the USA Electrathon challenge. Yes, you read it correctly, one event for the entire year. Our cars are a bit smaller than the US counterparts as we are restricted to 432 watts of energy and a budget of $1,500-00 (Aussie dollars) plus the cost of the brakes. Is there anyone out there with any ideas to get us more competitive next year. In the past we have achieved second on three occasions, third on three occasions with a lousy forth this year . A year is a long time between races and I want to get at least one First before I fall off the perch. I'm not an electronics nut but I do know how to make a car roll true and easy. Any help would be gratefully received. Kindest regards Mr A.
Gearing is another huge thing. If you gear too high you will not get up to speed where the motor is efficient and will use power too fast. The saying around here is "gear lower --go faster."
Weight is another killer. In the US (at least in the NW) most of our cars weigh about 100 pounds (45 kg) with everything but the batteries and driver. Heavy cars take more power and again are hard to get up to speed.
What type of motor are you running? We used to use Scott 1 hp motors but they did not work nearly as well as the eTek, Marrs, eTekR, Lynch, or some of the other 'pancake' motors. You want a fairly flat efficiency curve so that you can go a little slower up hills, around corner, in traffic or a little faster to overtake someone and still be at the top efficiency.
Feel free to contact me if you have questions, Mike
. A year is a long time between races and I want to get at least one First before I fall off the perch. I'm not an electronics nut but I do know how to make a car roll true and easy. Any help would be gratefully received. Kindest regards Mr A.