Engineering Projects/Electric Cars/Howard Community College/Fall2011/550 ekart
Electronic Sections Expected edit
Problem Statement edit
How can a team of three HCC students design and build an electric go-kart?
Team Members edit
Summary edit
Poster edit
Story edit
Made up of two members: Jeffrey Lloyd, and Carlos Riveros. The project ekart will be an attempt to design and build an all electric go-cart prototype to encourage further funding of this project. We want to do things first by creating this prototype e-kart with inexpensive and donated materials while staying within a $250.00 budget. After we have a tangible working product, we will showcase it to HCC to get further funding and probably start an intercollegiate competition among Maryland's community colleges.
Week One edit
- Confused about project. Problem: What HCC allows and is willing to fund VS. What we as a team want to accomplish: an electric go kart.
- Lots of research
- Finding donations for project
- Find pre-made go kart frame and buy it
Week Two edit
- More research
- Could not buy inexpensive frame, therefore we had to build one from scratch
- Ekart frame design and construction
- DC motor mounting ideas
Week Three edit
- More research.
- Bought speed controller and 3-way potentiometer.
- Bought inexpensive frame from private vendor.
- Modified bought frame for our project's needs.
Week Four edit
- Finished ekart presentation
- Tested ekart's frame and steering by using a 0.5HP fan motor.
- Ordered battery cables, plugs and fuses for ESC system.
- Tested the motor
After four weeks of research and hard work, we were able to get a test-run of the ekart using a 0.5HP DC fan motor: 1ST TEST-RUN
Decision List edit
- After the previous team's attempt to build an electric car, this new ekart team has decided to build an electric go-kart.
- Searched for donations of parts and tools.
- Decided to create a powerpoint presentation to obtain approval for this project.
- Decided to test the donated motors.
- Decided to buy frame and modify it.
Materials List edit
- Steel tubes (1" and 1.5" diameter) -- DONATED
- MIG welder -- BORROWED
- Plastic chair seat -- DONATED
- Two 6V lead-acid batteries -- DONATED
- Two 12V lead-acid batteries -- DONATED
- Programmable 200A 48V Kelly ESC -- BOUGHT FOR $120.00
- 10" go kart wheels -- DONATED
- Used go kart frame without motor -- BOUGHT FOR $60.00
- Battery cable 48V -- DONATED
- 3-way potentiometer (throttle pedal) -- BOUGHT FOR $30.00
Software List edit
- Web Browser (Online Research)
- Microsoft's Power Point 2010
- Microsoft's Excel 2010
- Autodesk 123D for go-kart design
- Google Sketch Up
- Prezi presentation aid
Time edit
- Week 0: Each student spent an average of 6.5 hours doing research and coordinating existing materials.
- Week 1: Each student spent an average of 7.2 hours creating a presentation, testing the electric motor, and performing research on individual parts.
- Week 2: Each student spent an average of 7.3 hours designing key components and testing existing equipment for compatibility.
- Week 3: Each student spent an average of 6.2 hours working on ekart's frame and handling components (steering and braking system).
- Week 4: Each student spent an average of 5.7 hours working on ekart's motor and electrical components.
- TOTAL TIME: 32.9 HOURS
Tutorials edit
Our inspiration: "The Neurotikart"
Research links: edit
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/electric-car2.htm
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/motor.htm
Next Steps edit
Create an effective electrical system for the ekart. Test ekart and present finished product to HCC to get funding for a better and faster version.