Solar Challenge Middle School Division

Remote Controlled (RC) Solar Car

Recommended Materials for RC Solar Car Material Price Location

Junior Solar Sprint Kit $25 Click Here for Link

Junior Solar Sprint Wheels/tires, shafts and gears $4 Click Here for Link

Additional Junior Solar Sprint Solar Electric Panel $20 Click Here for Link

Mini Servo $4 Click Here for Link

US Ship Rc Car Rc Truck Brushed Speed Controller Max 320A with Reverse, Brake $20 Click Here for Link

2.4 Ghz radio Model RC Transmitter and Receiver (important that you purchase this particular brand) $30 Click Here for Link

Total ±$100

Other Considerations for RC Solar Car

-Zip ties

-Alligator Clips

-Cardboard, Styrofoam, or other chassis materials

-Coated electrical wire

Tools

Safety goggles

Needle Nose pliers

Screwdriver

Hot glue gun

Utility knife

Voltmeter

Ruler

Scissors

Big Hammer

Wire Cutters

And IMAGINATION!!

Now Let’s Build a RC Solar Car!

Step 1

Attach solar panels to each other. Make sure they are braced to ensure sturdiness. The photo is just a sample way you could attach the panels, there might be better ways for your car!

*handle with care. Solar panels are fragile.

Step 2

Figure out how and where you want your solar panels to be set on the chassis. How high should it be? Do you want it angled? Do we want your weight distributed evenly? Will you have easy access to the components of the RC car? Can the solar panels be removed once attached?

* for this RC car we decided to glue Styrofoam to raise solar panels and attach bent spokes (paper clips) to the chassis to make the solar panels removable. Use your own design!

Step 3

Build a chassis for your car that will hold your solar panels. (We were boring an used a piece of cardboard.)

Step 4

Decide the gear ratio you want to connect the motor to the axle. Different combinations will give you different results. Do you want more speed or torque?

Determine where you want your motor to be positioned by placing the axle through poster and lining up the gears.

Step 5 We are using our solar panels connected “in Series” so we used alligator clips to connect the panels at the two closest terminals. The two outside terminals will be connected to the Electronic Speed Control (ESC).

Step 6 Attach motor, ESC and receiver to chassis

Attach steering servo to chassis

*This may require some imagination and engineering. For simplicity, we used a single steering connection, making a 3-wheeler.

Step 7 Connect ESC to receiver and motor

Connect steering servo to receiver

Attach solar panels to chassis

Step 8

Turn on receiver and transmitter.

Place Solar Car in the sun watch it go!!

Tips

• Use voltmeter to test solar panels. Also use

voltmeter to determine which prong on the rc solar car is negative and positive.

Remember to Test, Test, Test, and Always Have

Fun!