Solar Freaks

Hello everyone on Solar Freaks, this is my team's car for the 2011 event.

The car may not be the best looking, or have the best built body this year, but the important thing is it will do the job, and allow us to mount the axle and wheels correctly, so it hopefully wont be to much of a dissadvantage. As this is our team's first year, we decided to invest in 2 decent solar panels, Automax Maximiser and a Falluber 2232 motor. Next year when we have more cash we will be able to build a better body and chasis.

The Axle's, Wheels and gears have not yet been purchased, i would like to order the gears from the scoripo technology website, however for the wheels with the axles, it is going to cost over $130... Does anyone know somehwere else they could be orderd cheaper?

Anywho, here are the photo's. (captions underneath each photo)


During the consturction of the frame.


Cutting the piece for the solar array.


Solar array sitting in position ready for drilling.


Two team members attaching the removeable body.


Getting there


The body is complete.


This is a picture with the removeable array taken off.


This is the drag plate, when racing it will sit in there without moving, though it may be a little loose when upside down.

The body will be painted, hopefully making it look a bit nicer.

Just a few questions, is that what was supposed to be done for the removeable drag plate?
And that removeable solar array is also fine right?

Thanks, and please leave your feedback

Hi Team Solarion
It was great to see you amongst the few new teams this year!
How did the car go?

Team Stiletto x

Hello team Stiletto
It was certianly an amazing and fun experince for everyone involved in our team competitng this year.

Our team had never been there or participaited in any similar event before, but after doing research we did find out about the automax maxamiser and the falhabur 2232 motor, and ended up using those. The main problem's we had with our car was defiently the way the motor was mounted, and the guide system. The motor kept slipping off of the drive wheel, and sometimes moved so it was touching the gear at an angle. The guide system was also just pieces from an old macano set (round plastic pieces) with ball bearings installed on the back ones.

After reviewing footage, including on car footage, our team realised the main issue's with the car getting around the corner was due to the bad front guide system. Due to those issue's, we ran the two halves of each solar panel in parallel, and then the two panels in parallel to the motor, giving only 4v. It gave us the torque to make up for the drag, but the speed was limited. We tested the car with more voltage, and it was able to travel at decent speed's and up the hill, however would not make it around corners.

However, we have learnt a lot this year, and everyone was very friendly and gave us a ton of advice which we will defiently use next year.

Well done on second place, you car looked very good to.

Hi Guys, Great effort for a first year team. Well Done.

I was having a look at your car data this year and it looks like you have your panels wired in parallel.
If your using a maximiser, try wiring your array in series for maximum voltage, because it'll run more efficient, and allow your motor a greater RPM range, therefore allowing you to gear down and achieve more torque.. The maximiser will automatically switch raise your current to suit your motor needs.

BTW if you need high quality wheels, you can use the R&I wheels from Victoria, or the SolarMPPT.com wheels. They aren't cheap but they are worth the money and save you alot of mucking around making your own.

Also, if you have any questions, feel free to ask here on solarfreaks.