Part Component of Solar car

Solar Array and Power Trackers 
We recommend a solar array created from individual solar cells as opposed to one made of prefabricated solar power systems. It enhances the students' learning which enables it to produce a lighter solar panel. Cells is available from either Siemens or ASE Americas. Both sell the terrestrial-grade cells which can be permitted in the Winston Solar Challenge, and also the cost for terrestrial-grade cells are much less than space-grade cells, though terrestrial-grade is less capable. Each solar cell should produce .5 volts at about 3 amps at peak sunlight. The number of cells to utilize is dependent upon their size along with the allowable solar area per Winston rules. Solar panels should be wired in series with a panel and should be split into several zones. For example, when you have 750 solar cells, you may want to wire 3 sets of 250 cells, each zone producing about 125 volts. If an individual zone fails, two other zones are nevertheless producing power. The solar array voltage doesn't have to check the machine voltage from the motor if you utilize power trackers. Power trackers convert the solar array voltage somewhere voltage. They are essential in a solar car. Make sure to verify with all the power tracker vendor hidden array voltage to feed the electricity trackers. In the event the car drives underneath shade, the power trackers automatically adjusts the facility to fit system voltage, allowing the device to perform as efficient as it can be. Power trackers can be purchased from AERL.
Batteries 

The batteries store energy through the solar battery and ensures they are intended for the motor's use. Various sorts of batteries can be bought. Most senior high teams use lead-acid batteries because they're inexpensive, but some teams use lithium-ion or nickel-cadmium. We recommend that you stick to lead-acid batteries since they're readily accessible and inexpensive. Another choice teams must make is running with flooded-cell batteries or gel-cell batteries. Flooded-cell batteries will be the standard automotive batteries full of liquid sulphuric acid. There're preferred because they might be overcharged without risk of blowing up, but they weigh more(a) gel-cell batteries. Gel-cell are sealed and lightweight, but when charging the batteries, look at the battery voltage often. The amount of batteries to pick is dependent upon the motor (system) voltage. If the system voltage is 72 volts, you'll need 6 12-volt batteries. Also be sure to look into the rules for weight or watthour requirements. Buy batteries with as many amphours as allowed from the rules to maximize the number of energy you possibly can store.

Motor & Controller 
Most teams use DC brush static magnet motors to push their solar cars. Inexpensive and to attach, these motors are desirable for school teams with little backing. Expect a maximum efficiency of 80-90%. For teams with an increase of money, brushless motors increase the efficiency from the motor towards the 94-99% range. Also, some motor and controller setups enable regenerative braking, which allows the solar car to place energy back in the batteries when going downhill. For the beginning team, DC brush motors would be sufficient to acquire a solar car ready to go. Another variable in deciding on a motor is the place much power it offers. We have found that there is little really need more(a) 5hp continuous power output on our motors. The two manufacturers who supply most teams with motors and controllers: Solectria and Advanced DC Motors. Many college teams buy their motors from Solectria, but Advanced DC Motors have more affordable motors. Controllers usually drive a particular motor. As soon as you pick the motor that suits your requirements, the same vendor would most likely possess a matching controller.

Instrumentation 
The most important components of instrumentation is often a state-of-charge meter. A state-of-charge meter gives information regarding system voltage, amp draw, battery energy remaining, and estimates the simply how much time remains before the battery is far from energy. We found the E-Meter, manufactured by Cruising Equipment, served out purpose well. It has a digital display and accurately counts the number of amp-hours remaining from the battery. The E-Meter would be the do-it-all in instrumentation. Another instrument that may be useful can be a speedometer. Rather then employing a regular speedometer drive, use magnetic contact speedometers, obtained in many sports equipment stores. This approach won't add drag for a car. In order that your batteries are running properly, you could buy obtaining a voltmeter per of your respective batteries. A failed battery may show the proper voltage when the car is not running, but as the battery is under load, the voltmeter will show a lower than normal battery voltage.

Steering & Suspension
We strongly suggest front wheel steering the way it is commonly more stable and safer. A solar car uses energy frugally if it is to become competitive. If there's two front wheels, therefore , it is advisable to exercise the geometry to make sure they run parallel if your car will be straight ahead, however , if the car is turning, the leading wheels turn at different radii. Should the car is turning left, the left front tire is making a smaller circle as opposed to right front tire. If the tires remain parallel while turning, they will cause unnecessary drag, decreasing tire life and effectiveness.
The only advice we can easily offer with respect to suspension is always that it should be soft enough to defend your vehicle and solar panel from unnecessary jolts and firm enough to provide a stable ride.

Brakes 
Disc brakes are desirable as is also predominantly hydraulic. Having hydraulic lines running towards wheels might be easier than mechanical brake arrangements. The most important downside to disc brakes could be that the brake pads usually do not cool off in the brake rotors when pressure is released, his or her relieve braking pressure. For the reason that pads don't normally retreat from the rotors, they keep having hardly any drag. Of course this drag most likely are not noticeable around the family car, it's very inefficient on solar cars. Go kart shops now have brake calipers that are spring loaded to go the pads from the rotors. We now have found these very worthwhile.

Tires & Hubs 
Tire selection will affect rolling resistance which affects how long the solar car will travel using the energy available. Tires with thicker rubber and wider tread generally have higher rolling resistance (an unsatisfactory thing). Thinner tires with higher pressuer have less rolling resistance, however are more susceptible to flats. The most effective tires we now have found will be the Bridgestone Ecopia tires designed for solar cars. There're very thin and operate at exceeding one hundred pounds/inch pressure. Unfortunately, they must be attached to specially made wheels and require tailor made hubs. About the good side, these wheels and tires are incredibly light. Some colege teams have tried bicycle tires but report limited success (bicycle tires, rims and spokes usually are not made for the forces placed on them by non-tilting vechicles that weigh array pounds). Motorcycle tires are apt to have more resistance, nevertheless , there may be ruthless tires with low resistance we havenrrrt heard of yet.
Bearing resistance could be reduced by light minimal lubrication. Bearing seals may be cut away at the contact lip to go away the majority of the seal protection while removing most if not all seal drag. It is a good plan to have the rolling chassis operational months before your schedule gets critical. Run the chassis as numerous miles as possible to prove that the bearings, axles, steering and suspension can survive