Table of Contents

Table of Contents..................................................................................................1
What Makes a Model Solar Car go Really, Really Fast ? .....................................3
The Bits and Pieces of a Model Solar Car ............................................................3
The Model Solar Car Shell ................................................................................4
The Model Solar Car Chassis............................................................................5
The Model Solar Car Motor System ..................................................................6
The Model Solar Car Power System .................................................................7
How Fast Can a Model Solar Car Go ?.................................................................8
Lets calculate it !!!.............................................................................................8
Speed of the Wheels .........................................................................................8
Speed of the Car ...............................................................................................8
Elapsed Race Time ...........................................................................................9
What Determines the Top Speed of the Car ? ......................................................9
Inertia of the Model Car.....................................................................................9
Friction ..............................................................................................................9
Loss in Power Transfer ...................................................................................10
Car Acceleration and Top Speed ........................................................................10
Acceleration Rate ............................................................................................10
Worst Case Acceleration .............................................................................10
Better Case Acceleration .............................................................................11
Best Case Acceleration ...............................................................................11
Measuring the Effect of Choices and Changes ...................................................12
How and When ?.............................................................................................12
The Wind Tunnel .............................................................................................12
The Inclined Plane...........................................................................................13
The Race Timer...............................................................................................13
The Dynamometer...........................................................................................13
Lets Build a Model Solar Car .............................................................................14
Getting Started....................................................................................................15
How do We do This? .......................................................................................15
Project Launch.............................................................................................16
Prototype Car Build......................................................................................16
Production Car Build....................................................................................16
Car Selection ...............................................................................................16
Race Team Selection ..................................................................................16
The Model Solar Car Project Calendar ........................................................17
Tools Required ................................................................................................19
Materials Required ..........................................................................................19
Rules in the Model Solar Car Garage..............................................................20
A Little bit of Planning Goes a Long Way ........................................................20
The Cars Shell ...................................................................................................21
Designing the Cars Shell ................................................................................21
Building the Cars Shell ...................................................................................21
The Cars Chassis...............................................................................................22

-1-

Designing the Cars Chassis ...........................................................................22

Building the Cars Chassis ..............................................................................22
Tweaking and Adjusting the Chassis...............................................................23
The Cars Motive Power......................................................................................25
Designing the Cars Motive Power System .....................................................25
Building the Cars Motive Power System.........................................................25
Tweaking and Adjusting the Power Train ........................................................26
Gears...........................................................................................................26
Pulleys .........................................................................................................27
Whats a Model Solar Car without a PV Panel? ..................................................28
Installing the Shell on the Chassis...................................................................28
The Solar Panel...............................................................................................28
Designing the Solar Panel Support..............................................................28
Building the Solar Panel Support .................................................................28
Tweaking and Adjusting the Solar Panel .....................................................29
Model Solar Car Build Check List .......................................................................30
Chassis ...........................................................................................................30
Motor and Transmission..................................................................................30
Body Shell .......................................................................................................30
Solar Panel......................................................................................................30
Index ...................................................................................................................31

-2-

What Makes a Model

Solar Car go Really,
Really Fast ?

-3-

The Bits and Pieces of a Model Solar Car

The Model Solar Car Shell
!
!

The shell is the outside of the car

The functions of the shell are
o To protect the inside of the car
o To reduce overall resistance to the wind
o To support the solar panel
Considerations
o minimize weight
! the shell material should not add too much weight
! the shell should be attached to the body with a light adhesive
or fasteners
o reduce drag to a minimum
! the shell should have shape that is aerodynamic
! the finish on the shell should be smooth and slippery
o carry the photo cell panel
! the photo cell needs to be removable
o strong enough so it can withstand small impacts
o provide access to adjustment and lubrication points

-4-

The Model Solar Car Chassis

The chassis is the main platform of the car.

The functions of the chassis are to provide
o support for the drive and non-drive wheels and axles
o support for the motor and transmission
o a way to attach the body shell
o a way to support the photo-cell panel
o a way to attach the guide-wire hooks
Considerations
o materials
! weight
not too heavy (too heavy for motor power)
not to light (wind may affect it)
! stiffness
strong but not stiff
stiff but brittle
o structural
! ease of assembly
! performance

-5-

The Model Solar Car Motor System

!
!
!
!

transfer the rotation from the motor to the axle

change the direction of the motor movement
transform the speed of rotation of the engine into an increase of power to
the axle
Considerations
o meet the requirements
o power
! maximize the power to speed ratio of motor
! minimize friction in transmission
o weight
! should not add significant weight to the car
o performance
! should not slip due to shock to the car
! ease of alignment

-6-

The Model Solar Car Power System

!
!
!
!
!
!

Provide electricity to power the motor

Only the solar panel provided with the kit can be used
The solar panel must be removable and attached with the provided Velcro
strip
Position the power source in such a way that it captures the maximum sun
rays
The wiring from the solar panel must be removable, but sturdy enough so
it does not accidentally disconnect
Considerations
o We can only use the panel provided with the kit, therefore the
dimensions and power output are fixed.
o The solar panel is fastened with a strip of Velcro
o The electrical connection from the solar panel to the motor should
be sturdy but removable
o It is recommended that these connections be alligator clips
o The connections should be labeled in order to avoid connecting the
panel in reverse

-7-

How Fast Can a Model Solar Car Go ?

Lets calculate it !!!

lets assume that

we have an electric motor that turns at

8,300 RPM (rotation per minute)

our race track is 20 meters long

we are using a gear ratio of 5:2

we are using 5 cm diameter wheels

How long will the car take to cross the finish

line ?

Speed of the Wheels

50 teeth gear @
3320 RPM

we have a gear ratio of 5:2

if the motor turns at 8,300 RPM

then the rear gear will turn at 2X8,300/5 RPM = 3320

RPM

lets transform this in rotations per second

3320 RPM / 60 Sec/Min ~ 55 RPS

Speed of the Car

since we are using 5 cm diameter wheels

a rotation of a wheel will travel 5 cm x Pi = 5 x 3.1415

cm ~ 16 cm
Speed of the car = circumference of the wheel x the speed of
the wheel

SoC = 16 cm x 55 RPS = 880 cm/s or 8.8 m/s

wheel
circumference

-8-

20 teeth gear @
8,300 RPM

Elapsed Race Time

so the car travels at 8.8 m/s

the total track length is 20 m

so the elapsed time is 20m / 8.8 m/s =

2.27 seconds ! WOW ! is that really
possible ?

Unfortunately not, our calculations do

not account for the loss of energy due
to friction and the amount of energy
used to overcome the inertia in the car.

What Determines the Top Speed of the Car ?

The potential top speed is limited by the amount of power produced by the
solar panel and the power that the motor can generate from it.
These are constraints. We have to use the SolarQuests solar panel and
motor.
So lets look at the other parameters that we can control and see how we
can measure and minimize their effect.

Inertia of the Model Car

The total cars inertia is the sum of

the inertia due to the resting mass of the car (dead weight)
the inertia due to the wheels size and weight (rotational)
the inertia due to the gears size and weight (rotational)
the inertia due to the axles size and weight (rotational)
The total inertia of the car can be minimized
by proper material selection
by using building techniques that minimize the weight of
the materials used

Friction

There are numerous sources of friction in the car

Friction of the air against the shell (called drag)
Friction of the wheels against the race surface
Friction of the axle against the bearings
Friction of the transmission components
Friction on the guide wire
The friction of the car can be minimized by
using bearings on axles
lubricating rotating components
minimizing the friction surface areas
using materials that provide the least amount of friction
ensure that components are properly aligned

-9-

Loss in Power Transfer

The motor does not develop sufficient

torque to directly drive the wheels
We must use mechanical advantage to
multiply the torque available to the
wheels. We use a transmission to
achieve this.
Lets look at scenarios on how the
transmission power transfer ratio will
affect the maximum speed of the car.

Car Acceleration and Top Speed

Acceleration Rate

At the starting line, when the race switch is

released, the motor turns on.
The car will move forward and will gradually
accelerate to its top speed.
The acceleration rate is greatly dependent on
the power transfer ratio of the transmission

Worst Case Acceleration

This occurs when the torque to the wheels is too low

You will need to change the gear ratio to provide more torque
The acceleration is so slow that the car accelerates throughout the race
and never reaches its maximum speed
Potential
Max
Sp
Speed

acceleration
rate

0 sec

race end

- 10 -

Better Case Acceleration

This occurs when the speed to the wheels is too low

You need to change the gear ratio to provide more speed
We have rapid acceleration, but it bottoms out before the car reaches its
top speed.
Potential
Max
Sp
Speed

acceleration rate

0 sec

race end

Best Case Acceleration

Excellent acceleration rate

We are reaching the maximum speed very early in the race
The gear ratio is just right, the balance between torque and speed is
optimal
acceleration rate
Potential
Max
Sp
Speed

0 sec

race end

- 11 -

Measuring the Effect of Choices and Changes

How does one measure the effect

of your material, design and
building approach choices
Tools such as :
Inclined Plane (MSCIP)
Dynamometer (MSCD)
Wind tunnel (MSCWT)
Model Solar Car Race
Timer (MSCRT)
are used to measure the effect.

How and When ?

Construction
Stage

Test Tool

Parameters
to Test

Shell Construction
Building the chassis

Wind Tunnel
Inclined Plane

Drag
Friction

Building the
transmission

Dynamometer

Building the solar

panel support

Wind Tunnel

Final Tuning

Race Timer

Car Component
to Test

Shell Aerodynamics
Bearings, Wheels &
Axles
Acceleration
Bearings, Wheels &
rate & top speed Axles, Transmission
& Wiring
Drag
Shell & Solar Panel
Support
Aerodynamics
Drag, friction,
All
acceleration, top
speed

The Wind Tunnel

Once the cars shell has been designed, a prototype of the shell can be
made in Styrofoam
The shells design can be tested in the wind tunnel to measure its drag
The team can incrementally make changes and measure the impact of
their changes in the wind tunnel
Once the solar panel support has been
designed
The team can go back to the wind
tunnel to measure the drag of the
support and fine tune its design

- 12 -

The Inclined Plane

An easy way to determine the level of friction of the car is to put it on an

inclined plane and see at what angle it starts rolling and measure how far
it rolls off the inclined plane
Incremental improvements can be made to the bearings, axles and wheels
and the car can be retested on the inclined plane

The Race Timer

Once the car is essentially completed, its

racing characteristics can be determined
with the MSCRT. (Model Solar Car Race
Timer)
The MSCRT reproduces the real racing
conditions but also times the race
accurately (to 1/10 of second)
The car should be run on the 20 meter
track 3 or 4 times and an average race
time calculated
Note: The race time includes the time for
the car handler to release the car at the
start line.

The Dynamometer

We could use the MSCRT to see if the car

is using the best possible power transfer
ratio. But the MSCRT requires the car to
be completed
A better approach is to test the car while
still in the build stage.
The dynamometer simulates the inertial
weight of the car and accurately
measures the wheels speed.
This allows the teams to experiment with
the ratios and determine the best one for
their car.
- 13 -

Lets Build a Model Solar

Car

- 14 -

Getting Started
How do We do This?
Project
Launch
First
session
with
students

Creating
Teams
Car
Requirements
Gathering

Prototyping
A Car

Designing

Building
October
to
January

Testing

February
to
May

Producing
A Car

Designing

Testing

Car
Selection

- 15 -

Refining

Building

Refining

Last
weekend
of May

Project Launch
The teams will meet once a week, after school, for an hour. The sessions after
Christmas are typically extended to two hours in order to provide more
continuous work time on the production cars. The teams will be asked to keep a
journal of their weekly activities.
The first session launches the project. We get the students to form teams and
elect captains. We go through the contest rules and cars specifications.

Prototype Car Build

This year we are using a different approach. The teams will first build a
prototype car. By building a prototype, they will learn about the various aspects
of designing and building a model solar car. The teams will go through several
cycles of build-testing-refinements until the car is ready to race. The teams must
complete their prototype cars and have it evaluated before they can begin to
work on the production version.

Production Car Build

After the Christmas break, the teams will use their acquired experiences and
knowledge to design and build a production car. These cars will go through a
selection process and only two cars will be chosen to compete at the annual
SolarQuest meet in May at the Sciences and Technologies Museum.

Car Selection
The final selection process is designed to offer every team the same chances to
have their car picked. The cars are evaluated using the same criteria as during
the SolarQuest challenge. In addition to these criteria, each team will be
required to have designed and produced a web site meeting the SolarQuest
competition requirements. The team participants will be asked to vote for the
cars that they believe best meet the criteria and best represent the school.

Race Team Selection

The race teams, 10 students, will be selected by the supervising teachers. The
selection is based on the team members attendance, participations, contribution
and conduct during the project.

- 16 -

The Model Solar Car Project Calendar

Project Launch, October 6th

Presentation of the project process, rules & analyzing requirements

Building & Racing prototype Cars, October 13th to February 2nd

!
!
!

The intent here is to provide hands-on learning of what makes a solar car
go fast.
The teams will each build a prototype car with the kits that we will provide
them.
They will follow specific instructions, so we can keep the teams moving
along at the same pace.

October
- SolarQuest rules
- What makes a car go fast
- Playing the solar car game
- Handing out the Solar Car Prototype kit
November
- Drawing a 3D view of the car
- Building the prototype car shell
- Testing the shell in the wind tunnel
December
- Building the prototype chassis
- Attaching wheels to the chassis
- Testing the chassis on the inclined plane
January
- Building a prototype transmission
- Testing the transmission with the dynamometer
- Building a prototype solar panel support
- Wiring the prototype car
February
- Racing the prototype cars
Building & Racing the Race Cars, February 9th to May 4th
!
!
!

The intent here is to provide the teams with the opportunities to design a
car from scratch.
The teams will each build a racing car from scratch materials, no kits this
time.
The teams focus should be on build quality and making a "fast" car.

February
- Designing a Solar Car racer

- 17 -

Building the shell of a Solar Car racer

Building the chassis & wheels for the Solar Car Racers
Building the transmission for the Solar Car Racers

Building the solar panel supports for the Solar Car racers
Wiring the solar car racers
Decorating the solar car racers

Solar Car Races

March

April

May

SolarQuest Race Car Selection May 11th

Fine Tuning Race Cars May 18th
Race Practices May 25th
SolarQuest Day May 28

- 18 -

Tools Required
You will require access to the following tools:
Pencil and eraser
Utility knife with extra blades
Super Tacky glue
Steel or aluminum ruler or straight edge
Hand drill
Drill bits of various sizes
Fine grit sandpaper
Soldering Iron
Electronic Solder
Low temperature glue gun
Fine metal file
Hack saw with fine tooth blade
Carpenter square
Tape
Small clamps or clothes pins
Screw drivers (Phillips #2)
Flat nose pliers
Voltmeter

Materials Required
A kit of materials will be provided. The kit contains:
A block of white Styrofoam (for the shell)
A sheet of foam core (for the chassis)
2 steel axles
2 pieces of aluminum tubing (for axle bearings)
4 wheels with tires
1 electric motor
2 alligator clips
2 AA batteries
1 battery holder
6 inches of #14 copper wire
2 feet of #22 copper wire
Various size pulleys
Elastic bands

- 19 -

Rules in the Model Solar Car Garage

The model solar car garage is a fun place to be, but there are numerous tools
and machines that can be hazardous. You must follow the garages rules.
have fun
learn
ask questions
test as you go
measure twice, cut once
alignment is key
give everyone an opportunity
use prototypes, try things out
no running in the shop
power tools are off limits
use manual tools only
ask for instructions on how to use tools
wait your turn for the tools
Superglue is PERMANENT!!! Use gloves!!!
Hot melt glue burns!!!
A little goes a long way (true for glue, solder, oil and grease)
Styrofoam can only be glued with white glue or LOW temp hot glue
rubber and oil are not compatible
its easier to re-cut a long piece than trying to make a piece longer

A Little bit of Planning Goes a Long Way

Get your prototype car kit

Measure the components of the kit
o solar cell panel
o motor
o wheels
Decide on the overall shape and size of your car
o length
o height
o width
o front or rear wheel drive
Making a Plan. Draw a picture of the car
o draw a top view
o draw a side view
o draw a front view
o draw to full scale 1 cm = 1 cm

- 20 -

The Cars Shell

to

side

front

Designing the Cars Shell

Use Styrofoam to make the shell

Use your drawings to
Determine the location for mounting points for the shell onto the
chassis. These mounting points will serve as support for the shell.
Ensure that the shell will allow space for the motor, pulleys, gears,
axles and battery holder.
Velcro strips make a good fastener that can be used to attach the shell to
the chassis mounts.
Your shell should be easily removable or provide access hatches for
adjustments or repairs

Building the Cars Shell

1. Transcribe your 3 view diagram onto a block of Styrofoam.
2. Starting with the side view, cut the foam to the shape of the drawing. A
hacksaw blade cuts the Styrofoam quite nicely.
3. Hollow out the shell. This is required to make space for the motive power
and this will lighten the shell.
4. Test your shell in the wind tunnel and note the drag created by the shape.
5. Use sandpaper to smooth the shape of the shell and see if it reduces the
shells drag.
6. Compare your shells drag index with other cars and see if you can apply
any of their designs into yours to further reduce the drag of your shell.

- 21 -

The Cars Chassis

axles
bearings

chassis

wheels
Designing the Cars Chassis

Use your overall shape/dimensions and picture to design your chassis

Determine the overall shape and size of the chassis
Determine the location of the wheels and axles
Determine the location of the wheel bearings
Determine the location of the transmission
Determine the location of the motor on the chassis
Determine the location of the battery holder
Overlay a new sheet of paper over your previous plan (the exterior view of
your car). Trace the contour of the car on the new sheet of paper. Then
draw your chassis design.
Your chassis drawing should incorporate
the overall shape and size of your chassis
the location of the wheels, axles and bearings
the location of the motor
the location of the transmission
the location of the battery holder

Building the Cars Chassis

1. Using your chassis diagram, measure and using an Xacto knife to cut the
various pieces of foam core to make your chassis/frame.
2. Assemble and fasten the pieces together with low temperature hot melt
glue.
3. Measure and cut the axles to length with a triangular file. Make sure that
all burrs are removed.
4. Mark where the pulley fits onto the drive axle.

- 22 -

5. Using cyanoacrylate glue, fasten the pulley onto the drive axle.
6. Mark the position of the axle onto the chassis. Take care in aligning the
axles properly to the chassis.
7. Mark the position of the axle pulley onto the chassis, and then remove the
chassis material to provide proper clearance for the pulley.
8. Construct the front and rear axle bearings from aluminum tubing.
9. Install the pulley on the drive axle.
10. Slip the bearings onto the axles.
11. Fasten the bearings to the chassis with hot melt glue. Double check the
alignment of the axles with respect to the chassis.
12. Temporarily attach the wheels to the axles.
13. Test the axles.
1. lubricate the axles and bearings with light oil
2. ensure that they rotate freely, with minimum force required
3. ensure that the car moves in a straight line
Now you have a chassis with 2 axles mounted on bearings. One of the axles has
a gear or pulley attached to it.

Tweaking and Adjusting the Chassis

Some tweaking may be necessary to make the axles run smoothly and
with minimum friction...
Double check the alignment of the bearings. Their centers should
be aligned!
Axle

Axle

Bearing

Bearings

You may consider lubricating the axle and bearings with a very light
oil. Make sure that the lubricant is compatible with your materials!
If you find the car is not traveling in a straight line...
double check the alignment of the axle with respect to the chassis
The axle must be at 90 degrees off the center line running through
the length of the chassis
Axle
Axle

Center
Line

- 23 -

Center
Line

If you find that the car pulls to the left...

the distance between the axles on the left side of the car is shorter
than the distance between the axles on the right side of the car

If you find that the car pulls to the right...

The distance between the axles on the left side of the car is longer
than the distance between the axles on the right side of the car.

If you find the car wobbling...

double check the alignment of the wheels with respect to the axle
The wheels must be at a 90 degrees off the center line running
through the length of the axle

Axle
Axle

Center
Line
You are now ready to test your car on the inclined plane to measure its
overall coefficient of friction. You will need to temporarily attach the
shell to your chassis.

- 24 -

The Cars Motive Power

Designing the Cars Motive Power System

Use your chassis drawing to design your motor/transmission assembly

Select the size of pulley that you will use on the motor
Determine the best location of the motor to provide the best
mechanical coupling to the drive axle
Capture the location of the motor onto the drawing
Considerations for pulley ratio
the higher the ratio the more torque you will get at the wheel
the lower the ratio the more speed you will get at the wheel
the heavier the car the more torque you will need
Use the following diagram to wire your car

Building the Cars Motive Power System

1. Attach the drive pulley to the motor. Be careful, the pulley is pressed fit
onto the motors axle. Support the axle against the surface of a table
before pushing the pulley onto the axle on the other side of the motor.
2. Position the motor onto the chassis.
3. Ensure that the motor is parallel with the drive axle.
4. Ensure that the pulleys align properly.
5. Attach the motor to the chassis with hot melt glue. Be careful not to
obstruct any moving parts with the glue.

- 25 -

6. Using a 1.5Vdc AA cell, identify the polarity that makes the motor rotate in
the proper direction for your car.
7. Mark the appropriate polarity on the leads of the motor.
8. Ask the mentor to demonstrate how to solder.
9. Solder the negative lead from the motor to a small alligator clip.
10. Solder the positive lead from the motor to the middle terminal of the race
switch.
11. Solder a wire from the normally closed (N.C.) terminal of the race switch to
a small alligator clip.
12. Connect the alligator clips to the battery holder terminals.
13. Glue the battery holder to the chassis with hot melt glue.
14. Test the motor assembly using two 1.5Vdc cells.
15. Ensure that the race switch works properly and that the motor rotates in
the proper direction.

Tweaking and Adjusting the Power Train

Gears

Some tweaking may be necessary to make the gears engage properly...

Double check the alignment of the motor in respect to the axle.
The motor should be parallel to the axle.
You may consider lubricating the gears with very light grease.
Make sure that the lubricant is compatible with your materials!

If you find that your axle is not moving or moves very slowly... (motor
straining)
The contact between the gears is too tight
Slightly move the motor assembly away from
the axle in order to increase the distance
between the gears.
If you find that your axle is not moving or moves very
slowly... (gears are grinding)
The meshing is improper. The contact
between the gears may be too loose
Slightly move the motor assembly towards
the axle in order to decrease the distance
between the gears.

- 26 -

Pulleys

Some tweaking may be necessary to make the pulleys engage properly...

If you find that the belt keeps coming off the pulleys
Double check the alignment of the motor in respect to the axle.
The motor should be parallel to the axle.
DO NOT lubricate pulleys, the belt will slip!

If you find that your axle is not moving or moves

very slowly... (motor spinning)
the belt maybe slipping
Slightly move the motor assembly away
from the axle in order to increase the
distance between the pulleys.

If you find that your axle is not moving or moves

very slowly... (motor is laboring/straining)
the belt is too tight
Slightly move the motor assembly
towards the axle in order to decrease the
distance between the pulleys.

- 27 -

Whats a Model Solar Car without a PV Panel?

Installing the Shell on the Chassis

Fasten the cars shell to the chassis with small rectangles of Velcro.
Ensure that none of the moving parts make contact with the shell.
Test the race switch to ensure that it moves freely and turns the motor on
and off.

The Solar Panel

Designing the Solar Panel Support

Use your chassis & shell drawing to design a mount to support your solar
panel
Determine the best location for your solar panel
Decide whether your mount will be fixed or provide an adjustable tilt
for the panel
Keep in mind that the panel MUST be removable
Design a lightweight panel mount

Building the Solar Panel Support

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Measure and cut all the pieces to construct the panel mount
Assemble and fasten all the pieces for your panel mount
Attach the panel mount to the chassis or shell of the car
With a voltmeter, determine the polarity of the leads from the solar panel
Mark the polarities on the leads of the solar panel
Attach and install the solar panel on the mount
- 28 -

7. Connect the alligator clips from the motor to the solar panel.

Tweaking and Adjusting the Solar Panel

Very little tweaking should be necessary at this point, unless there is no

sun.
provided you have a source of light
make sure that the surface of the solar panel is clean
connecting the solar panel with the alligator clips will power the
motor
if the car does not move, verify that your connections are good
if you have an adjustable solar panel support, adjust the orientation
of the panel to obtain the most output
verify the output of the panel with a voltmeter
note that the panel may produce voltage but may not produce
sufficient current to run the motor (low light)

You are now ready to retest your car in the wind tunnel. This will tell you how
much drag is created by the solar panel and its support. Once you have
finalized your support, you are ready to race the car and capture the race time
with the Solar Car race timer.

- 29 -

Model Solar Car Build Check List

Chassis

"Chassis constructed
"All axles installed
"All wheels installed
"Gears or pulleys installed
"Wheels aligned
"Car runs straight when pushed
Motor and Transmission

"Pulley or gear installed on motor

"Motor mounted on chassis
"Motor/gears/pulleys aligned
"Motor rotation direction verified
"Battery holder installed
"Wiring completed
Body Shell

"Shell is built
"Shell is finished smooth
"Shell is painted and decorated (optional)
"Shell is attached to the chassis
"Guide wire hooks are attached to the car
Solar Panel

"Panel support built

"Panel support installed on car
"Solar panel installed on the support
"Solar panel wiring completed
"Solar panel connected to motor
"Motor runs with solar panel
- 30 -

Index
3 view diagram, 22
acceleration rate, 11
Aerodynamics, 13
alligator clip, 27
axles, 10, 14, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31
batteries, 20
battery holder, 20, 22, 23, 27
bearings, 10, 14, 20, 23, 24
belt, 28
cars inertia, 10
chassis, 13, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,
29, 31
circumference, 9
design, 13, 23, 26, 29
drag, 10, 13, 22, 30
drill, 20
drive axle, 23, 24, 26
Dynamometer, 13, 14
engage, 27, 28
fastener, 22
friction, 10, 13, 14, 24, 25
gear ratio, 9, 12
glue, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27
Inclined Plane, 13, 14
inertia, 10
inertial weight, 14
light, 24, 27, 30
material, 10, 13, 24
maximum speed, 11
mechanical advantage, 11
mechanical coupling, 26

meshing, 27
motor, 9, 10, 11, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27,
28, 29, 30, 31
panel mount, 29
power transfer, 11, 14
power transfer ratio, 11
prototype, 13, 21
pulleys, 20, 22, 26, 28, 31
race time, 14, 30
Race Timer, 13, 14
racing conditions, 14
rotation per minute, 9
rotations per second, 9
sandpaper, 20, 22
shell, 10, 13, 20, 22, 25, 29
solar panel, 10, 13, 29, 30
solder, 21, 27
Speed of the car, 9
Styrofoam, 13, 20, 21, 22
switch, 11, 27, 29
top speed, 10, 11, 12, 13
torque, 11, 12, 26
transmission, 10, 11, 13, 23, 26
voltmeter, 29, 30
Voltmeter, 20
wheels, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 20, 21, 23, 24,
25, 31
wind tunnel, 13, 22, 30
Wind Tunnel, 13

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