Sunsprint Challenge News

08/08/2008 - MiniSprint Information

The Kits
The kits consist of two solar modules, a motor & switch, gears, wheels and corflute. The actual design (front/rear wheel drive, motor and wheel placement and fishing line control) is left to the student. The kits are to be bought from:
Michael Richards
Kite Magic
1/99 Malabar Road
Coogee NSW 2034
www.kitesite.com.au
Ph  02 9315 7001 
Fax 02 9315 8534
Mobile  0411 35 7894  (best one to catch him on!)

Payment Details
Payment by Invoice:  Yes, schools and individuals can pay by invoice. Purchase of a car kit automatically enters the kit in the competition.

For more information on MiniSprint, go to the MiniSprint website.

05/08/2008 - SunSprint 2008: Registered schools & teams

04/08/2008 - EasyMax solar power enhancer

The EasyMax maximisers are the same as the ones St Pauls used last year to win the nationals. Also, last year the schools that came 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the State event used this maximiser. They are very easy to use, and provide a huge benefit in the performance of the car, especially if it is not geared properly.

Click here to download more information about EasyMax maximisers.

Schools using this maximiser will receive a discount.  For more information Contact Tony Bazouni via e-mail at dreamtec@dreamtec-rc.com or go to www.dreamtec-rc.com to purchase them directly.

29/05/2008 - Solar Panels

The 2008 Jaycar catalogue lists on page 240 a new Hobby Solar Panel. This is the same panel that we have all been buying from DSE that no longer appears in the DSE catalogue. The prices are listed as $16.95 for 1, $15.95 for 2+ and $14.95 for 4+. Better still, they have been available in Jaycar stores from 9th May 2005.

29/05/2008 - Wattmeter

For anyone interested John Jeffrey from Tasmania has just finished version 5.4 of his solar panel power meter with lots of new features as follows:

1. It has two rows of sixteen character easy to read LCD display.

2. It displays operator prompts to make use even easier.

3. It is very easy to test and calibrate using the built-in calibrate routines.

4. It makes setting up or checking the light box light level extremely simple.

5. It will function as a straight voltmeter to 25.4 volts or a straight ammeter to 2.54 amps.

6. It detects and is protected against reverse connected panels.

7. It detects and rejects panels over 25 volts or 2 amps as per the rules.

8. It detects and rejects panels over 12 watts as per the rules.

9. It scans the panel using a controlled voltage ramp rather than current so it is immune to lamp ripple.

10. It scans the panel eight times to determine the maximum power point and then calculates the average.

11. It displays the open circuit voltage, the short circuit current, the maximum power and the maximum power voltage.

12. It allows the operator to enter the panel temperature and displays the power corrected back to 25^oC.

13. It allows for selecting 50% sun and then doubles the power before doing the temperature correction.

14. It calculates and displays the required panel weight according to the rules.

15. It has an output to automatically switch the light box on and off as required using an external 12 volt relay.

16. As it is run by a micro controller any changes to weight formulae or other rules can be accommodated easily.

If anyone is interested John Jeffrey is willing to make them one but they will cost $495 each including GST. You can contact John at :

Engineered Electronics
21 Fairisle Terrace
Howrah Tas 7018
Ph. 03 6247 8883
Fx. 03 6247 1336
john@engelec.com.au
http://www.engelec.com.au/

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