Sponsors
Car and Boat Parts Suppliers
Some information on suppliers of parts for the model solar car and boat challenges has been recently added to the website's CHALLENGE HELP page.
This has some popular solar challenge supplier catalogues available for download as well as plenty of internet links that may be of some help to teams. Although a number of categories have yet to be completed, these will be added in the coming weeks. For further help or additional info of any kind please refer to the website's CONTACT page.
2012 AIMSC Car and Boat Regulations
AIMSCC Administration 2012
AIMSCC Car Specifications 2012
2012 Boat Regulations
Solar Freaks
If regulations or any other technical areas of either the car or boat challenges would like to be discussed then please also feel free to also join the Solar Freaks solar challenge forum and post a question there. Several Tasmanian and national committee members are signed up to this forum, as well as numerous competitors, and so a reply to a question can be expected within a reasonable time frame.
Rules for the 2012 Sprint Car Challenge are currently under review and will be finalised and published shortly.
GWS gear boxes and Low Cost Maxons for Sale
A limited stock of Grand Wing Servo-Tech (GWS) LPS 6:1 gear boxes ($15) + motors ($5) has arrived. These are a light weight indoor RC plane gear box but are also suitable for use in the model solar boat challenge, particularly the junior division where there is a limit on motor cost ($5 in 2012).
3 of the top 4 junior boats, including the winner, had a GWS gear box or similar installed at the 2011 national event. Similarly, the winner of the 2010 junior division also used a GWS unit.
Although the motor used in the GWS gear box is not as efficient as a precision coreless motor such as a Maxon or Faulhaber (max eff. of around 65% compared to 85%), it is well matched with a Scorpio panel and will operate at close to max efficiency at max panel power in higher sunlights when the panel is connected in series and the correct propeller used (a 35-40mm dual bladed prop may be a good starting point for testing). The gear box generates a higher prop shaft torque than standard hobby motors, allowing a larger and more efficient propeller to be used.
For best performance in low sunlights the Scorpio panel will need to be switched to a parallel configuration and the correct propeller chosen for max power transfer. Testing both panel configurations and various prop sizes will help determine the best setup at intermediate sunlights.
Combined, the gear box and motor weigh approx. 21 grams which is lighter than many hobby motors on their own.
Due to the high level of shaft torque, the coupling between the gear box and propeller shaft will require some special attention in order to eliminate slippage. Gluing the commonly used flexible coupling to the gear box shaft may suffice.
The gear boxes + motors are available from Jun Guo in W.A. for $20 each ($5 motor and $15 gear box) + p/h. To order or for further details please contact Jun by email at: guoj07@student.uwa.edu.au
Jun also has a number of low cost 4.5V maxon motors which are available to advanced boat or sprint car teams. Contact Jun for more information.
2011 AIMSBC Boat Data and Results
Below is the boat data and knockout results file from the 2011 national event held in Hobart:
2011 AIMSBC Boat Data and ResultsOn another note, the 2012 boat regulations should be released in late January/early February.
At this stage the major expected change from last year will be the removal of the ballast which was required in 2011. The $50 limit on Junior division motors may also be reduced to $20 (with any coreless motors under $20 also being outlawed).
2011 AIMSCC Photos
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2011 AIMSC Car Posters
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More to come...
2011 AIMSBC Scrutineering
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2011 AIMSCC Car Data & Cell Cracking Document
It's taken a little while but here's the car data from the 2011 national event:
2011 AIMSCC Car DataBelow is also a short document on cell cracking. A number of panels have been observed to exhibit this over the last few years:
Solar Panel CrackingIn other news, the 2012 car rules will be released shortly as there won't be a great deal of changes for next year.
The major rule change will be a reduction of drag plate area down to 150 sq cm. Rather than specifying this area to be rectangular (as was the case this year), the committee is currently looking into the idea of allowing any shape but requiring this to be made up of aluminium sheet metal.
Instead of having to measure areas, scrutineers will then simply weigh drag plates to determine whether or not the required area has been met.
2011 AIMSBC RESULTS
Junior Boat Division
1st - Witchcraft, Gooseberry Hill Primary School, WA
2nd - Lightning Bolt, Lethbridge Primary School, Vic
3rd - Turtle, Rawlinson Primary School, WA
4th - Irma, Guildford Grammar School, WA
Advanced Boat Division
1st - Jaws, New Town High School, Tas
2nd - Red Devil 2, Billanook College, Vic
3rd - Lollipop, Pennington Primary School, SA
4th - Fireworks, Rawlinson Primary School, WA
2011 TMSC Sprint Car Results
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2011, University of Tasmania, Hobart
1st - SSS, Mount Carmel College
2nd - Team 6, John Paul II Primary School
3rd - Samsung Power, John Paul II Primary School
4th - Corpus Team 4, Corpus Christi Catholic School
Best Engineered - Solar System, South Arm Primary School
Best New Entry - Speedy, Mount Stuart Primary School
Best Effort - School Girls, Mount Carmel College
Most Recycled - Red Rocket, Rosny College
2011 AIMSCC RESULTS
2011, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania
Race Winner - Crackle, St Paul's Catholic College, NSW
Overall Points Winner - Crackle, St Paul's Catholic College, NSW
2nd - The Weapon, New Town High School, Tas
3rd - Snap, St Paul's Catholic College, NSW
4th - Powerhouse, Winthrop Baptist College, WA
Fastest lap (17.61 seconds @ 114.5% sunlight) - The Weapon
2011 AIMSCC Knockout Draw Results
2011 AIMSCC Round Robin Seeding
2011 AIMSCC Car Analysis
2011 TMSC Sprint Car Event Information
Registration/Scrutineering for the TMSC sprint car event will begin at approximately 9:00am at the University of Tasmania Rugby Ground, Sandy Bay. This venue can be accessed via Grace St which is off York St.
Racing will then commence at around 10:30am in a round robin style format. The cars with the most wins at the end of this will then be selected to compete in a further finals round robin series which is expected to begin at around 1:00pm (the exact time will depend on final entry numbers on the day and the weather).
Please note that the AIMSC event will also be sharing the same venue so feel free to wander over and have a look at the bigger cars on the figure 8 track.
Good luck everyone and remember to bring along a hat and some sunscreen (and perhaps a raincoat).
AIMSC Registration Extension
Given that a number of teams are still to return their entry forms, the AIMSC registration period has been extended to the 18th Nov.
2011 AIMSC
Below are several documents pertaining to the 2011 national event in Hobart. These include a general info document, Hobart to Sandy Bay and Utas Campus maps and a draft event schedule.
2011 AIMSC Info Doc
Draft 2011 AIMSC Schedule
Hobart CBD to Utas map
Utas Sandy Bay Campus map
A list detailing entries that have been received to date can be viewed at the following link.
2011 AIMSC entries to date
This will be updated regularly and teams are advised to check this list to make sure that they have been entered.
In the case of any discrepancy, please contact Marc at the email address provided on the website's CONTACT page.
For those competing in the car event it should also be noted that it is probable that the Tasmanian track will be used for the car races.
2011 TMSCC Results
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2011 Tas Solar Car Challenge - 16th October, New Town High School
Race Winner - The Gillard Mobile - Moving Forward, New Town High School
2nd - Penny, St Patrick's College
3rd - Red Bandit, St Patrick's College
4th - The Magic Johnson, St Patrick's College
Fastest Lap (19.39s @ 97% sunlight) - Freddo, St Patrick's College
Best Engineered - Ascend from Darkness, New Town High School
Best Effort - Rose Bay 2, Rose Bay High School
Many thanks to the major sponsors Engineers Australia - Tasmanian Division and the University of Tasmania for their sponsorship in 2011.
2011 TMSC Schedule
A basic schedule for the 2011 Tas event can be downloaded below.
2011 Tas Solar Challenge Schedule
2011 TMSC Online Entries
Registration for the 2011 Tasmanian Model Solar Challenge (AIMSCC cars) will be open up until October 9 (one week before the state event). The deadline for the sprint cars and boats will be November 12.
16th Sep 2011 Update
With the state championships for the main car event being just a month away, teams are urged to start submitting their entry details as none have been received thus far. This can be done by filling out the form provided at the link provided below and shouldn't take more than a few moments to complete.
2011 Tasmanian Model Solar Challenge Entry Form
A list detailing entries that have been received to date can be viewed at the following link.
2011 TMSC entries to date
This will be updated regularly and teams are advised to check this list to make sure that they have been entered.
In the case of any discrepancy, please contact Marc at the email address provided on the website's CONTACT page.
NSW State Event
For those interested in what has been happening interstate, NSW recently had their Sunsprint event in Sydney. Results and photos can be seen at the following thread on Solar Freaks:
Solar Freaks
A number of these entries will be down in Hobart in late November for the national event.
2011 TMSC Dates
Below is a TMSC flyer that was recently sent out schools detailing the dates for this year's Tas events.
2011 Tas Solar Challenge Flyer
The main car event will be held at an earlier date (Sunday October 16) at New Town HS in order to give teams that will then be going on to represent the state at the nationals some time to fine tune their vehicles.
The Tas boat and sprint car challenges will instead be held in conjunction with the national event at the University of Tasmania Rugby ground, Sandy Bay on the 26th (sprint cars) and 27th (boats) of November.
Schedules for the various events will be issued at a later date.
Model Solar Car Wheels
Mr. Tony Bazouni from solarfreaks.com & SolarMPPT.com and designer/supplier of Easy & Automax model solar challenge electronics units has just had a new shipment of car wheels come in.
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He will be selling these for $10 each plus $4/bearing and they can either be purchased directly online at
solarmppt.com
or by contacting Tony by email at admin[at]solarmppt.com
For further information regarding the wheels, including dimensions, please see the New Solar Car Wheels thread at solarfreaks.com.
2011 Car Regulations Philosophy Document
2011 Model Solar Car Regulations - Technical Interpretation & Comments
2011 AIMSBC and TMSBC Regulations
2011 Model Solar Boat Regulations
Although a number of states may not abide by this new rule for their state event, it will be enforced at the 2011 Tasmanian and National model solar boat challenges.
Please note that all Tas boat teams will be required to produce a simple poster for the boat event as has been outlined in section 2.6 of the rules. This is because all Tas boats will be automatically entered into the national event which will be doubling up as a Tas event in Hobart this year.
The 2011 Tas and national boat challenge will be held on Sunday 27th November (the day after the sprint event and second day of the national event) at the University of Tasmania ruby ground, Sandy Bay, Hobart in conjunction with the national event for AIMSCC cars.
2010 AIMSCC Final - Race 3
SEA WA Solar Challenge Promotional Video
SEA (Sustainable Energy Association of Australia) has taken over the hosting of the WA model solar challenge in 2011 and recently released a great little promotional solar challenge video. This can be seen at the SEA and new WA Model Solar Challenge website:
SEA WA Model Solar Challenge
It contains footage from last year's nationals in Fremantle and is a must see for all new schools, teachers and students interested in finding out what the Challenge is all about.
2010 AIMSBC Finals Videos
The above video is of the 1st race between the Advanced Division winner "Belmore 2" (Belmore Boys High School, NSW) and the Junior Division winner "The Demon" (Gooseberry Hill PS, WA) at the 2010 Australian-International Model Solar Boat Challenge held in Fremantle, WA.
For Junior and Advanced Division finals and rounds for 3rd and 4th, see miseli333's YouTube Channel.
2011 Car Design Hints
This is the 2011 update of Ian Gardner's model solar car design hints document. Although quite lengthy, it contains many great hints to build a good quality car as well as good background information on virtually all areas related to the model solar car challenge.
Model Solar Car Design Overview
Model Solar Car Design Overview
The Sprint Car Challenge - As easy as playing with Lego
For last year's challenge a member of the committee constructed and raced a car made up entirely of Lego and Lego Technic (excluding solar panel, wiring, switch and motor) to help demonstrate how simple it can be to build a working car. Some photos of the car and a short video clip can be seen below.
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Note that this car has been given steering trolley wheels in order to also run on the main car figure 8 track. This would not normally be required for a sprint car since the competition is held in a straight-line drag race format.
2011 Model Solar Sprint Car Challenge
2011 update
The new sprint car rules have been left unchanged from last year and schools competing in 2011 may re-enter previous cars if desired although modifications to improve them is encouraged.
The 2011 sprint challenge will be held on Saturday 26th November at the University of Tasmania ruby ground, Sandy Bay, Hobart in conjunction with the national event for boats and AIMSCC cars.
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2011 AIMSCC and TMSCC Regulations
AIMSCC Administration 2011
AIMSCC Car Specifications 2011
Any questions relating to any challenge matters (Tasmanian or national) can be sent to Marc at the email address provided on the website's CONTACT page.
If regulations or any other technical areas of either the car or boat challenges would like to be discussed then please feel free to also join the Solar Freaks forum and post a question there. Several Tasmanian and national committee members are signed up to this forum and should be able to reply to a post within a reasonably short amount of time.
Solar Freaks
2010 AIMSCC RESULTS
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2010, Esplanade Reserve, Fremantle, WA
Race Winner - Mike Couanis, Aquinas College, WA
Overall Points Winner - Mike Couanis, Aquinas College, WA
2nd - Blur, St Paul's Catholic College, NSW
3rd - Galaxy, Girrawheen Senior High School, WA
4th - HAZZ, St Patrick's College, Tas
Fastest lap (16.27 seconds @ 110% sunlight) - Blur
2010 AIMSCC Car Data
2010 AIMSCC Knockout Draw Results
2010 AIMSCC Round Robin Seeding
2010 AIMSCC Car Analysis
2010 TMSC Sprint Car Results (31/10/2010)
Sprint Car Challenge
Race Winner - The Mean Machine, MacKillop College
2nd - Cheerleaders, John Paul II Catholic School
3rd - Smarties, John Paul II Catholic School
4th - Solarminds, John Paul II Catholic School
Fastest time (4.28 seconds) - The Mean Machine, MacKillop College
Best Engineered Car - Sunny, South Arm Primary School
Best Team Effort - Team Power, Mount Carmel College
Best New Entry - Team Solar, Mount Carmel College
Many thanks to the major sponsors Engineers Australia - Tasmanian Division and the University of Tasmania - Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology for their sponsorship in 2010.
2010 TMSCC Results
Solar Car Challenge
Race Winner - Devil's Delirium, Queechy High School
2nd - Fabio, St Patrick's College
3rd - Luigi, St Patrick's College
4th - Super-S-Car-Go, Rose Bay High School
Fastest Lap (17.91s @ 119% sunlight) - Luigi, St Patrick's College
These 4 teams plus the two wildcards
The Slug, St Patrick's College (5th)
The Wholesome Pie, Rose Bay High School (6th)
have been selected to represent Tasmania at the national finals in Perth, WA, in November.
Many thanks to the major sponsors Engineers Australia - Tasmanian Division and the University of Tasmania - Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology for their sponsorship in 2010.
New 4 cell Solar Modules Test Data
The new 4 cell modules have recently arrived and intial testing by Ian Gardner in Victoria has given the following results:
50% Sun, 25C, AM1.5, 10 series modules.
Voc: 23.50 Vmp: 19.49 Imp: 0.241 Isc: 0.254 Pmax:4.70 FF:0.787100% Sun, 25C, AM1.5, 10 series modules.
Voc: 24.37 Vmp: 19.75 Imp: 0.464 Isc: 0.491 Pmax: 9.16 FF: 0.765For less modules simply factor voltage and power.
These figures suggest that the modules are of a very high quality. Further test results and panel IV and power curves can be viewed by downloading the document below.
NEW 4 CELL MODULE TEST RESULTS
This gives teams a further option when selecting panel powers.
Contact John for further details and purchase. John's contact details are listed on the website's CONTACT page.
New 4 cell Solar Modules
NOTE:
These modules have the same dimensions (62mm x 120mm) as the 3 cell modules listed further down. They are made from the same first quality, laser etched and anti-reflective coated cells and black fibreglass backing, but the 4 cells take up more of the available module space. The extra cell will increase the voltage of each module from approx. 1.5V to 2V and the reduced size of the individual cells will result in a lower module current. The overall power output from the 4 cell modules will be slightly greater. Full test data will be available shortly. The physical 3 and 4 cell modules can be compared below. |
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John Jeffery has arranged to have these made specifically for the solar car challenge and the first shipment is scheduled to leave China on the the 15th of May. Due to having more active cell area plus the extra handling in mounting the extra cell, the 4 cell modules are going to be marginally more expensive. The extra voltage, however, will mean that only 8 modules rather than 10 will most probably be required for a car panel. The modules are expected to cost around $14 + GST and orders will be taken in advance.
Contact John for further details and purchase. John's contact details are listed on the website's CONTACT page.
2010 Tasmanian Model Solar Sprint Car Challenge
2010 Tasmanian Model Solar Sprint Car Regulations
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2010 AIMSBC and TMSBC Regulations
2010 Model Solar Boat Regulations
Model Solar Car Help, 2010
2009 AIMSBC
Low Shunt Resistance Solar Cells
Low Shunt Resistance Solar Cells
More 2010 Help Files
Car Design Hints, 2010
Model Solar Car Simulator
Simulator Quick Start Instructions
2010 AIMSCC and TMSCC Regulations
AIMSCC Administration 2010
AIMSCC Car Specifications 2010
Synopsis of AIMSCC Rules 2010
2009 AIMSCC RESULTS
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2009, Science Works, Melbourne, Victoria
Race Winner - Stealth Moorebank, Moorebank High School, NSW
Overall Points Winner - Stealth Moorebank, Moorebank High School, NSW
2nd - Killswitch, Box Hill High School, Vic
3rd - Hot Chilli, Queechy High School, Tas
4th - Team Extreme, St Patrick's College, Tas
New track record (15.17 seconds @ 118.9% sunlight) - Killswitch
2009 AIMSCC Car Data
2009 AIMSCC Knockout Draw Results
2009 AIMSCC Round Robin Seeding
2009 AIMSCC Car Analysis
Solar Freaks Forum
Solar Freaks
This forum has been up and running for the last couple of years now and is a great place to discuss and seek help with regards to the solar challenge.
New Solar Modules
NOTE:
These are 3 cell modules with the same dimensions (62mm x 120mm) as the original DSE modules and are about the same weight (around 33gm). The cells are epoxy encased on a black fibreglass base with two polarity marked solder pads on the rear. The modules are not made from rejects and left over scraps but are purpose made from first quality cells. The actual cells are all rectangular (no missing corners) and have been laser cut from larger 125mm x 125mm isotropically etched and antireflective coated cells. The original Taiwanese made cells are graded to ensure consistency and only the top 2 grades with quoted efficiencies of over 16% are used. The Fill Factor of the cells as quoted and tested is around 0.75. The original samples that were sent to Ian Gardner for testing were given the thumbs up. |
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John Jeffery has arranged to have these made specifically for the solar car challenge and has just received the first shipment. Contact John for further details and purchase. John's contact details are listed on the website's CONTACT page.
2009 TMSC Results
Solar Car Challenge
Race Winner - Hot Chilli, Queechy High School
2nd - The Bat Mobile, St Patrick's College
3rd - The Flash, Queechy High School
4th - Pink Sparkly Barbie Fairy, Rose Bay High School
Fastest Lap (30.73s @ 25% sunlight) - Hot Chilli, Queechy High School
2009 TMSCC ResultsFor more results please link to the 2009 Tasmanian Results page
Thanks to the major sponsors Hydro Tasmania, Engineers Australia - Tasmanian Division and the University of Tasmania for their sponsorship in 2009.
2009 AIMSCC and TMSCC REGULATIONS
AIMSCC Car Specifications 2009
AIMSCC Administration 2009
Synopsis of AIMSCC Rules 2009
Model Solar Car Help, 2009
Car Design Hints, 2009
Model Solar Car Simulator
2009 AIMSBC and TMSBC REGULATIONS
2009 Model Solar Boat Challenge - Rules and Regulations
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2008 AIMSCC RESULTS
2008 AIMSCC Knockout Draw Results
2008 AIMSCC Round Robin Seeding
2008 AIMSCC Car Data
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