by robbie(12), robin(12), lewys(12), tim(8), kurt(12), josh(12) and lachlan(10)
TRANSCRIPT
By Robbie(12), Robin(12), Lewys(12),
Tim(8), Kurt(12), Josh(12) and Lachlan(10).
Tim Robin JoshLewys
Robbie Lachlan
Unfortunately Kurt wasn’t there
Why did we do this?Last year we went to the competition and
thought that we might try it. So this year we’re entering the competition.
The TechnologySolar Panels Motor Remote controlBatteries (only on the receiver and
transmitter) A switchSteering servoReceiver
Our Sourceshttp://www.delftship.net/http://www.members.iinet.net.au/~gveale/solar/p
hotosvideo.htm
http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/files/extranet/docs/DSC/Pt2_Archimedes4Airheads.pdf
The ProcessWe went to all three meetings organized by Penrith City Council and learnt lots (and were well fed ).
The Design and Electronics testsAt our first meeting we discussed the hull
and electronics that we will need and those we don’t.
On Sunday the 9th of September we tested the electronics on Josh’s pool in a foam box.
Tim , Robbie and Josh decided to document our progress in Power Point
Some early design ideas
Prototype 1
PROTOTYPE 1 was a great success. We built it to test different prop shaft angles.It showed that the least angle is best, but if the prop is just a little out of the water, a lot of power is lost.
Prototype 2
Prototype 2We added a rudder controlled by a servo, and used a wider, higher rimmed base to avoid water spilling in onto the technology.We found out that the wire connecting the rudder and the servo has to be very stiff, so that it does not bend.We need to know how far the signal from the remote reaches.
Prototype 3Prototype 3Four solar panels were mounted onto a piece of red Perspex. We connected up the solar panels, but still kept the battery, so we could test the boat in low light. We worked out that we needed four more panels to have enough energy to drive the boat in overcast conditions.
Lachlan’s Bottle Boat
Lachlan’s design drawings for
his bottle boats.
Lachlan’s Bottle Boat
Lachlan’s bottle boat is made of juice bottles,
kebab sticks, small water bottles and gaffer tape. It floated well, but did not turn well. It was
Prototype # 4.
Another idea
Tennis ball cylinders float well, too!
(Except when the tennis cylinder caps
aren’t sealed properly)
WHIRL POOL EXPERIMENT
We wrapped up the boat in Cling Wrap to protect the technology from water and put the boat in a spa to test its stability.
Result: The boat was stable and did not tip over
Robbie is taking notes so we can put more information into the slide show.
Learning to cut and work the polystyrene
Wattyl stone finish
Gloss deep base
Wattyl Solarguard
The Final Control Unit
Inside of the control unit,with batteries to try prop position
Four solar panels in place for trials
Getting closer
Attaching hulls to the control unit
First trial run
It floats wellbut is too wide.
One problem thoughAt the next meeting in Penrith, we found out the boat was too wide!
So we shrunk it!and hid the box in the hulls
But the box of tricks was great
Our wiring diagram,allowing the boat tohave more grunt, evenin overcast conditions
Fine-tuning
We wanted the final shape to be hydro-dynamic and shaped like a racing boat
Getting the final shapeWe cut away at the top of the boat, making sure both hulls looked similar
Looking good
Fairing it
The Final Product