Engineering Projects/Electric Cars/Howard Community College/Fall2011/550 ekart

Problem Statement
How can a team of three HCC students design and build an electric go-kart?

Team Members

 * CR


 * Jeffreycarllloyd

Summary
Weekly reports

Story
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

 * 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

 * 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

 * 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

 * 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

 * 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

 * 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

 * 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

 * 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
Our inspiration: "The Neurotikart"

Research links:
http://www.kartbuilding.net/

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/electric-car2.htm

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/motor.htm

Next Steps
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.