Sponsors
Challenge Help
This page contains help and information on building model solar cars and boats. More information will be added as it becomes available.
For further help and assistance of any kind, please refer to the website's CONTACT page.
Model Solar Car Help, 2010
Car Design Hints, 2010
Model Solar Car Simulator
Model Solar Car Book
Model Solar Boat Help
Solar Panel Anomalies
Low Shunt Resistance Solar Cells
The Physics of Solar Cells
Motor datasheets
Faulhaber 2224
Faulhaber 2232
Faulhaber 2233
Maxon RE-max 21
Maxon RE-max 24
Maxon RE 25
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.
2008 Demo Car
Autocad files
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2009 Demo Car
Suppliers of Components and Materials
Motors
While inexpensive hobby motors and motors recovered from VCRs can be used to successfully power a model solar car or boat, their performance is inferior to the high quality motors used in the most competitive vehicles.
Two such high quality motor manufacturers are Faulhaber and Maxon which are based in Germany and Switzerland.
Since first being released by Faulhaber in 2005, virtually all car teams have been using the Faulhaber 2232 6V motor. This motor is similar to the previously used 2233 model but is fitted with rare earth magnets and has a lower armature resistance. The 2232 is also superior to the previously used 2224 model.
The datasheets of these three motors are downloadable above. The full list of Faulhaber's product range can be viewed at the company's website - www.faulhaber.com
In the 2009 Australian-International Model Solar Car Challenge, 31 out of the 32 national finalists used the Faulhaber 2232 6V motor. The other car used a Maxon 118740 motor. This motor has some similar characteristics to the 2232, but is over twice the weight and cost and has yet to prove itself. It has a very low terminal resistance and simulations based on real world dynamometer testing have shown that it could potentially outperform the 2232 in good sunlight conditions but this remains to be seen. The datasheet of this motor is downloadable above (RE 25).
A couple of other Maxon datasheets are also listed. The (RE-max 21) datasheet contains specifications on the Maxon motor (221011) that was used by the 2005 nationals winner.
Since 2005 however, the top 4 cars in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 have all used the Faulhaber 2232. The 2232 has also been commonly used by boats competing in the secondary/senior boat division where motors costing more than $20 are permitted.
Fauhaber motors are distributed to specialised resellers across Australia by Erntec Australia.
Tasmanian Coordinator John Jeffery purchases Faulhaber 2232 6V motors from Erntec in bulk to reduce costs for schools and teams competing in the challenge. John's contact details are listed below and will supply to anywhere in Australia.
Faulhaber 2232 6V Motors
John Jeffery - Tasmanian Coordinator
Engineered Electronics
21 Fairisle Terrace
Howrah Tas 7018
Australia
Ph. +61 3 6247 8883
Fx. +61 3 6247 1336
Email: TMSC@engelec.com.au
www.engelec.com.au
Maxon Motors - www.maxonmotor.com.au
Maxon motors are distributed across Australia by Maxon Motor Australia.
Contact details and the complete product range can be viewed at Maxon's website.
Gears
Gears - www.khkgears.co.jp/en
PURGON ENGINEERING PTY. LTD.
50 Potter Street
P.O. Box 126
Craigieburn 3064
Melbourne Australia
Phone: +61 3 9305 6199
Fax: +61 3 9305 6588
Email: engineering@purgon.com.au
www.purgon.com.au
Solar cells
Technology Education Centre Pty Ltd
P. O. Box 209
Magill, SA 5072
Australia
Phone: 08 8364 5326
Fax: 08 8364 5366
Email: tecc@tecc.cc
www.tecc.cc
Scorpio Technology
17 Inverell Avenue
Mount Waverley
Victoria 3149
Phone: (03) 9802 9913
Fax: (03) 9887 8158
Email: sales@scorpiotechnology.com.au
www.scorpiotechnology.com.au
Plastecs Company
Email: plastecs@earthlink.net
www.plastecs.com
Maximizers
John Jeffery - Tasmanian Coordinator
Engineered Electronics
21 Fairisle Terrace
Howrah Tas 7018
Australia
Ph. +61 3 6247 8883
Fx. +61 3 6247 1336
Email: TMSC@engelec.com.au
www.engelec.com.au
Wheels
Bearings
Propellers
More to come ....