Electrathon America Forum

ProEV · Senior Member

ProEV Super Coupe in-car video and data from Race 1 HCC 11/3/12

Nick Gupta · Veteran Member

Very cool - I see you have Watt Hours and "Lost Watt Hours," what is the difference?

ProEV · Senior Member

Whrs and Lost Whrs is a way of looking at efficiency. Whrs is what we are pulling from the batteries right now. Lost Whrs is what is being used up overcoming drag or lost translating from electrical to mechanical. We calculate Lost Whrs by subtracting changes in the vehicle's Kinetic Energy (in Whrs) from Whrs. Knowing how much of our electrical energy becomes kinetic energy tells us how efficiently we are running. Cliff Www.ProEV.com

Kyle Keenan · Veteran Member

Wow, just realized you're the guy that had that wild electric sube. What's it like going from that to electrathon?

ProEV · Senior Member

Hi Kyle, It is a big change going from a 125 MPH, 2,800 lb car to a 30 MPH , 350 lbs vehicle. We were really happy with the development of the Electric Imp. We got it to the point that it was a well balanced race car, stiff chassis, low center of gravity, no slop. The broad torque and direct drive of the electric motors gave amazing throttle control making it almost easy to keep the tires right at the limit of adhesion. At the end of the day, though, what we had was an electric powered gas race car. The modern equivalent of a horseless carriage. We needed to re-think the basic trade offs and that meant starting with a clean slate. I am enjoying driving the Super Coupe. The ratio of vehicle to driver is much more like open wheel racing. The lack of mass allows for some very quick changes of direction. The struggle to minimize rolling resistance means that the traction limit is right there and even with limited power, throttle control is crucial. I am less comfortable with the requirement of driving to a 'Delta' lap time. it seems unnatural to come off the throttle down the straightaway to conserve power. Understanding and mastering this facet of electrathon racing is the my biggest challenge.

electrathon · administrator

Cliff,

I have seen a number of guys over the years come into Electrathon from a racing background. Most of them explain how we are doing everything wrong and they will school us on the proper way to drive. They are often sitting to the side of the track dead at the 40 minute mark. There is a definate learning curve to it. I am glad you guys are taking it serious and stepping things up to a higher leval.

Aaron

Kyle Keenan · Veteran Member

Aaron,

I believe parts of racing really can carry over to electrathon, but I think most over-think it and get too wrapped up in the moment.

Do I think racing makes better electrathon drivers? No.

Do I think electrathon makes better racing drivers? Yes.

Cliff,

You should post up some information about the Subaru project on the "Let's THINK About It" part of the Forum! Might be really motivating for some of the high school students in Electrathon to see a real-world electric racing vehicle.

electrathon · administrator

Kyle,

I agree that the race car drivers often overdo it. A few years ago I brought a friend of mine to th e John Day race, we were short on drivers. I many times explained to him about conserving power and not mashing the throttle to hard. Well, he got in the pole position at the start line, the flag dropped. He mashed the throttle all the way, started spinning his tire and almost went sideways. It was fun to watch but not a good way to start saving power.