Solar Rays Racing Rodgers MS
Event Location: Cocoa-FL
Competition: Junior Solar Sprint
Division: 7-8 (JSS Blue)
School: Rodgers Middle
Team Name: Solar Rays Racing
Project Name: Junior Solar Sprint
Team Size: 3
First cut top view, white base paint. Innovation= Cut hole for battery pack to make weight distribution even.
Bottom view: Innovation = pins used to help hold rear axle. Braced back of chassis to help prevent cracking.
Battery with built in switch and remote button for quick start under battery power.
Bottom view: Innovation = Spring front end with independent turning wheels. Absorbs bumps better and allows wheels to spin more freely.
Bottom view: Wheels and gear (40 t) attached. Clip used to hold on springer axel. Gear ratio 1:4 provides torque while still allowing the car to run fast. Made sure there is not friction between the wheels, spacers, and tires. Innovation = Battey pack mounted upside down to for easy loading and other side used to mount panel arm.
Top view with motor, solar panel arm mount and ball. Innovation = LEGO parts used to hold panel and spiraled paper clip used to hold ball in place. We drilled holes in the wheels to save weight.
Rear wheels cut thin to save on weight. We removed the flashing from the plastic to help with a better mesh between the gears.
Time to solder the start/stop button
Check the Soar Panel volts with full sun and low sun.
Mount the panel using a LEGO L so the panel can move with the angle of the sun. Now it’s time to test, test and test.
Solar car specs: All parts were purchased from Pitsco except LEGO, start/stop button, paper clips and metal rods for spring front suspension. Total weight of car = 206.2 g