It’s that time of year. Classes are over, finals are here, and we wrapped up our last solar car meeting for fall quarter this past Saturday. While not a lot of work was done on the car itself this quarter, we have accomplished much in terms of planning for 2014. We’re planning on installing new updates on the car, including

• A new BMS board with updated software.
• New M12 cables for our telemtry and communication systems, thanks to Balluff’s kind donation.
• A new canopy designed by David which will be more aerodynamic and give the driver better access to the steering wheel.
• An integrated brake/parking brake system.
• A back wheel fender to keep water and debris out of the cockpit.

Several of the freshmen are also working on designing a new array stand to help us better recharge our batteries during the Rayce, when we are only allowed to use whatever power we can capture from the sun at the end of each day. The new stand, like the one it replaces, holds the entire top shell of our vehicle, allowing us to angle the solar cells more directly towards the sun as well as giving us easy access to the wiring on the underside should electrical issues arrise.

During the winter it is difficult for us to test the car on the roads due to the high amounts of snow Evanston receives, so one of our projects for winter is to build a dynamometer to enable us to simulate road driving while keeping the car indoors and stationary. Advisor Dana is heading up an independent engineering 399 with several of the team members and hopes to have it completed by the end of winter quarter.

Have a happy new year!

NU Solar