Perth eV Challenge 2009

Post by **Richo** » Thu, 22 Oct 2009, 21:00

Come on down this Saturday and watch the electric vehicle challenge 2009 at Swan Tafe in Midland WA.

You can see some skilled drivers attempt the race track in thier sleep.

Or some drivers attempt new land speed records.

and other racers with their awesome desgins!

Click here for event details

BE there or be slow

Post by **Clay** » Wed, 28 Oct 2009, 06:06

It was a great event, maybe I'm saying that just becuase we went well. AEVA should set up a race for these things so we can get them out more than once a year.

Our little beast did well - have a look at the Margaret river team's Flickr page - just google ev challenge 2009 and it'll pop up for you.

Post by **Richo** » Wed, 28 Oct 2009, 07:15

Unfortunately I have been out with the flu so missed the event

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39221741@N02/
Thanks for the link.
Looks like a different breed of cars this year.

It looks like IMG_1244 is using foot steering which is not allowed.
And IMG_1240 was no suprises it was the fastest on the track.
Put a multi kW motor in a race designed for ~400W.
Did someone double check thier $1200 budget?

Post by **Clay** » Wed, 28 Oct 2009, 14:28

That was our car. The Etek in the back I purchased back in 2004 and I've had school cars using Eteks since 2003 and no-one looked twice until this year. It cost me about $380 in '04 to buy and as we only run it at 12V it doesn't put out massive hp. The trick this year was that we ran a LiPO 12V 36Ah battery instead of SLA. We weren't the quickest over 1 lap (we were second fastest in best laptimes) but we were quick and consistent when it counted - at the end.

The light all aluminium chassis, low CoG and general good handling of the car might of helped as well...

Post by **Thalass** » Wed, 28 Oct 2009, 16:12

Man, why didn't Greenwood high school do the electrothon when I was there? (1999)

We attempted the solar challenge at Melville the year before, but that was a first attempt and we didn't get far. Oh well. Looks like great fun. I'd say I'll have to go next year but I can never tell if I'll actually end up going.

Post by **Richo** » Wed, 28 Oct 2009, 19:21

Clay wrote:It cost me about $380 in '04 to buy and as we only run it at 12V it doesn't put out massive hp.

That's a great buy!
Sorry I should just trust the scrutineers

I'm kicking myself I couldn't make it.
Should have had the boss drag me down in a stretcher so I could watch

Sounded like a great race

Post by **AussieJester** » Thu, 19 Nov 2009, 05:46

Just out of curiosity can anyone compete in these or is it for TAFE students only?

KiM

Post by **Richo** » Thu, 19 Nov 2009, 17:17

yep any1
the schools have thier own race
then there is the open class race for every1 else

Post by **Richo** » Thu, 19 Nov 2009, 17:18

I'd like to build1 but my welding skills really SU#K

Post by **Clay** » Thu, 19 Nov 2009, 17:20

There are five different classes - A, A2, B, C and Yuasa. A, A2 and B are only for high school kids, but anyone could enter the other two. I've entered class C since 2005 and it would be awesome to see some fellow aeva competitors out there in 2010.

Post by **AussieJester** » Thu, 19 Nov 2009, 17:51

Ah kk cool.. so for example, my e-bike will do ~60km/hr top speed and has a range of over 100km@ 40-45km/hr what 'class' would i be in?

Richo..i can weld and would be happy to help out if you have a project, you pay materials (welding wire anti spatter spray) i'll happily weld it for you (no charge for services)

KiM

Website · Post by **Simon** » Thu, 19 Nov 2009, 19:32

When I first heard about the EV Challenge I wanted to enter a bike because it would be a much simpler build for people like me without welding skills. Unfortunately there is no class for 2 wheelers

Here is the relevant part of the 2008 rules:
Wheels
1. The vehicle must have at least three wheels
2. The tyres must be in contact with the ground at all times. Not abiding by this regulation may result in disqualification
3. Wheels must have an outside diameter of more than 100mm
4. Wheels and tyres must be rated to take the speed and load of the fully laden vehicle.

Post by **Richo** » Thu, 19 Nov 2009, 23:48

Yes there are strict regulations.
Including the battery pack size.
So your e-bike wouldn't qualify.

Post by **mikedufty** » Sat, 21 Nov 2009, 00:08

Doesn't say the 3 wheels can't be in line. How about a bike with a single wheel trailer?

Post by **Clay** » Tue, 24 Nov 2009, 03:24

Problem with a bike is that the seat position must be feet first and the seat can't be higher than 250mm off the ground. You also need to have sonething preventing the feet from touching the ground and from the wheels (according to the rules anyway - but a lot of cars don;t quite meet these last two regs). Plenty of the cars use e bike conversion kits so there would be no reason why you guys couldn't rip the running gear off an e bike and build up a new vehicle. Apart from the battery limits - max of 36V and overall capacity of 432Wh (which you get by multiplying V x Ah e.g. 12V x 36Ah = 432Wh) - there's a $1200 budget limit.

But saying that more aeva racers the better!