Solar panels? - Page 9

figfry · 06-30-2008, 10:12 AM

oooh you should put a small co2 cartridge on the car, like the ones used to power icing canisters for cakes, or the ones that power airsoft/pellet guns, then install a servo with something to puncture the cap at the end. If its a light car and doesn't have a very big motor to resist the external force then you just got yourself rocket car!!!...well at least for like 5 seconds you do.

monkeyracer · 06-30-2008, 10:31 AM

stay with me on this;

what if he put TWO, yes two CO2 cartridges, then he'd have like 10 seconds of extra time.

Or even better still, he could have the CO2 cartridges pointed towards a micro-wind-turbine generator and that would charge up the batteries. so when the car is running low, he can activate the CO2 and get more runtime.

I also hear that using the right tires will help. There are a lot of guys that use smaller wheels, that way there is less rotational mass, and since they are smaller they will spin faster, but require less battery to do the same work.

figfry · 06-30-2008, 10:35 AM

Your logic is FLAWLESS!!!! Maybe we should build this car, then we will win the Nobel Prize. Keep him from getting all the glory. We still need to work a hamster in somehow though...and maybe a bottle rocket or six.

Ausi319 · 06-30-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by figfry

Your logic is FLAWLESS!!!! Maybe we should build this car, then we will win the Nobel Prize. Keep him from getting all the glory. We still need to work a hamster in somehow though...and maybe a bottle rocket or six.

lol how would i get the small wind turbine generator?
i could put that on the outside of my car or something so it hits when i run! then it will help recharge and i could get multipule.
any links for one like that?

Chairboy · 06-30-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by monkeyracer

There are a lot of guys that use smaller wheels, that way there is less rotational mass, and since they are smaller they will spin faster, but require less battery to do the same work.

For 100% efficiency, consider simply removing the wheels altogether.

Ausi319 · 06-30-2008, 10:53 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Chairboy

For 100% efficiency, consider simply removing the wheels altogether.

that wouldnt b 100% efficiant because it wouldnt move!

Chairboy · 06-30-2008, 11:10 AM

It might not move, but it also wouldn't expend any energy, ie 100% efficiency.

Ausi319 · 06-30-2008, 11:24 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Chairboy

It might not move, but it also wouldn't expend any energy, ie 100% efficiency.

yea... sure... but isnt the object of a car to move?
yea...

i'll try to fit 15 broken solar panels.

i also need to figure out if i can attach a belt around my wheel shaft so when it moves like have a gear in the middle of it so when it goes around it spins the gear and have that attach to something?
like a tiny generator or something?

any links please

Chairboy · 06-30-2008, 12:21 PM

Oh, you want it to move! Ok, sorry 'bout that. The 15 broken solar panels are a good start, consider boosting their power by placing some flashlights on the car that shine directly into them. If you can power the flashlights by hooking them into the generator (an electric motor generates power when it's turned by an outside force, you know, so you could just use a leftover R/C motor as the generator) then it would be a closed cycle and even MORE powerful.

2L_SS · 06-30-2008, 12:24 PM

Why not use an array of 20-30 mirrors (cheaper than solar cells) mounted on the body of the car. Aim them all at a center focal point, maybe a glass vial filled with water. Then rout 2 lines from the vial to an small steam turbine and condenser. When the sunlight hits the mirrors it will be directed at the vial, causing it to heat up and turn the water into steam. The steam would then travel to the turbine causing it to spin, and exhausting most of it's energy. From the turbine the steam/ water would travel to the condenser and get pumped back into the glass vial. Rinse and repeat, then all you would need is a small generator attached to the turbine : )
But rather than trust all of us why don't you ask this guy. I'm sure he could help you refine your theory.

Ausi319 · 06-30-2008, 12:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Chairboy

Oh, you want it to move! Ok, sorry 'bout that. The 15 broken solar panels are a good start, consider boosting their power by placing some flashlights on the car that shine directly into them. If you can power the flashlights by hooking them into the generator (an electric motor generates power when it's turned by an outside force, you know, so you could just use a leftover R/C motor as the generator) then it would be a closed cycle and even MORE powerful.

i like that idea

if i would put a chain around the shaft where my wheels are if i would put a gear or something on the end of the motor then when i move it will move...

but then would i just take the + and the - of the motor already on it and just solder that to the battery place and the battery will b there just b charging also?

of how would i use the motor also to generate it?

Ausi319 · 06-30-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2L_SS

Why not use an array of 20-30 mirrors (cheaper than solar cells) mounted on the body of the car. Aim them all at a center focal point, maybe a glass vial filled with water. Then rout 2 lines from the vial to an small steam turbine and condenser. When the sunlight hits the mirrors it will be directed at the vial, causing it to heat up and turn the water into steam. The steam would then travel to the turbine causing it to spin, and exhausting most of it's energy. From the turbine the steam/ water would travel to the condenser and get pumped back into the glass vial. Rinse and repeat, then all you would need is a small generator attached to the turbine : )
But rather than trust all of us why don't you ask this guy. I'm sure he could help you refine your theory.

no there not i can get 20 broken ones for $10 and just make something with them!
and it wouldnt work because my car isnt even 1 foot long

pshadwick · 06-30-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Ausi319

i dont think there legal because some of the race is that you slow down for dramatic i guess...

and i race inside. but i dont think it is legal...

the solar panels i would just have on my other hood or something so i can practice for longer!

thats why i want them. and to show friends i'm not completely insane and i can do something with my life.

Solars the way to go. But if you race inside it could be a problem, Can you remove the roof???

danielkh · 06-30-2008, 12:44 PM

Ok, you want the battery to last a really long time....

Disconnect the drive motor completely. Remove it. Throw it away. Now attach a mast to the top of the car. Then attach a sail to the mast and connect some rigging to the steering motor. Disconnect from the wheels. Let them freefloat.

Hope for a windy day and learn a trade while you play.