Task 1: Familiarization with World Solar Challenge Rules and Regulations
As we're doing the electrical section of the solar car, we have to be familiar with the rules and regulations, especially on the electrical side.
According to the WSC R&R, our gathered the following points that we thought is most important for us to keep in mind all the time.
In 2.19.1, any voltage higher than 60V must be isolated and protected by covers or protection grills that are reliably secured and
marked with the approved high voltage symbol.
This means that we must isolate battery and solar panels voltages.
In 2.19.6, exposed carbon fibre is considered to be an exposed conductive part and so must be isolated from
the energy storage system and from the solar collector.
Carbon fibre is also an RF shield. Thus, when attaching our modem for transmission of data, we must be extra careful with the carbon fibre.
In 2.20.3, all wires, connectors and electronics modules (such as MPPTs) which remain at high voltage when in
Safe State must be double insulated.
Double isolation is necessary for solar panels and battery.
In 2.22.10, for Cruiser Class Solar EVs, if the energy storage system is a secondary electrochemical battery then
the sum of the nominal cell masses, as specified and endorsed by the cell manufacturer and approved
by the Chief Energy Scientist, may not exceed the following limits:
• Li-ion 60.000 kg
• Li-Polymer 60.000 kg
• LiFePO4 120.000 kg.
Base on this rule, we can only configure the battery in 34S 36P.
In 3.6.3, a warning sign not less than 900 mm x 300 mm with black lettering on a yellow background, clearly
visible from a distance of 30 m, must be displayed on the rear of the Rear Escort Vehicle, stating "CAUTION: SOLAR VEHICLE AHEAD"
This is for the safety of our drivers and passenger
Task 2: Understanding What Telemetry Is
Telemetry is the wireless transmission and reception of measured quantities for the purpose of remotely monitoring environment conditions or equipment parameters. There are two parts to telemetry: monitoring the performance of the car and planning race strategy.
Monitoring the Performance of Solar Car
In order to monitor the performance of the car, several parameters are to be measured. During the actual race, the car will run from 8am to 5pm daily over the span of 6 days. We have to measure various parameters in order for us to plan and aim to complete the race.
Measurements taken from Solar Panels, Battery, Motor and the System will be input into the microcontroller boards (e.g. Arduino MEGA / Beagle Bone etc.) After which, these information will be transmitted via a RF modem to the chase vehicle. A data logger will be required to keep all these data for any future reference.
Planning of Race Strategy
Race strategy focus mainly on the energy management as our car has limited energy from solar panels and the batteries. The real time measurement attained from the solar car will be send to chase vehicle via RF transmission. The telemetry team in the chase vehicle will have to analyse the data and decide on the actions to be taken. For example, if the power consumption is too huge, we will advise the driver to slow down.
Referring to the road route and the route profile analysis from the 2013 challenge, planning can be done even before we are in Australia.
