At a webinar Thursday evening for solar car teams, it was announced that if 10 teams commit the $4,000 entry fee by January 1, 2009 there will be a track race this summer. While the exact dates were not given, they are looking at having it at the Cresson Motorsports Ranch in Texas, the same location as we had scruitineering and qualifying for the 2008 NASC. While we have not committed at this time, we are planning for it. It will be the second running of Solar Miner VI, but with some improvements since the last time. As always, your support is what makes it possible for us to go out and compete in these events.
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Solar Miner VI ran flag-to-flag this afternoon in its final test before Sunday's big race, but not without a lot of suspense. Last night through this morning the Miners were plagued with circuit board problems that defied explanation, but just before lunch the crew found the crossed circuits and headed to the track. More.
Many people have been asking about t-shirts for Solar Miner 6 in the upcoming race. I must appologize that we don't have them ready at this time as we have in years past. Don't fear though, we are working on getting them ready for you, but the car has been our first priority.
UPDATE: The video is now available.
Unveiling was a success, with well over 50 people in attendance, and 14 team alumni. You can watch the event here
Solar Miner 6 with team members, advisors, and alumni after unveiling ceremony.
Photo credit Bob Phelan. Click photo for larger version.
UPDATE: Solar Miner 6 has been unveiled. To watch the event, please visit http://solarcar.mst.edu/videos/unveiling08/
Solar Miner 6 will be unveiled this Saturday, March 15th, at 3:00pm. For those of you who will be in town, you can come see the event in person at Leach Theater in Castleman Hall on campus. With the forecast weather it will be a good chance to warm up and dry out.
For those of you at home we are attempting this year, for the first time, to broadcast the event on the web. To watch, please visit http://solarcar.mst.edu/videos/streaming/index.html for instructions on how to watch. Please remember that this at 3pm Central time, for those of you in other parts of the country.
If you cannot watch then, we plan to post the video online later for those who are interested. More information on that after the show.
With the recently made canopy, the outside shape of the car is almost complete. Before we could begin manufacturing the canopy, we completed the body and chassis, then modeled those in the computer, and designed a canopy around what we built. The windshield, made out of Duraplex, is then put into the canopy.
The lathe and mill are working long hours to machine the parts necessary for the suspension. Chris Pieper begun painting the car with a primer coat, and the first coat of white paint should begin soon.
Nathan Steckel making a perfect fit between the canopy and body.
Recently we tested out the new motor controller that has sine wave output. Our previous motor controller used a stepped DC output which mean the motor was extra noisy and made a very distinct "popping" sound at low speeds. If you don't know the difference, imagine rolling a heavy wheel up and down stairs, and then a smooth hill next to those stairs. That is similar to the difference it makes to the motor, as it now has a smooth hill to operate on. As a related feature, this controller is also more efficient so that we can drive farther for the same energy, and hear better while doing it.
If you haven't already heard, we will be unveiling Solar Miner 6 at 3:00pm in Leach Theatre in Castleman Hall. We invite anyone who is interested to come see the new car first hand. You can also meet the team members and advisors, both before and after the show.
Of course for us to have Unveiling, we need a car. Last week we got the aluminum for the chassis and began assembling it. We are still sanding and filling the body in preparation for painting. Work is also coming along on the new drive electronics to work with our new motor and controller.
We understand that some of you cannot make it here to Rolla for unveiling, so if you would be interested in seeing the event either live on the web, or just posted later to the website, please leave a comment or email us at solar1@mst.edu to let us know.
UPDATE: The time for unveiling has been moved from 2:00pm to 3:00pm on March 15th.
UPDATE 2: You can watch the event here
On December 5th, Solar Miner IV went to Miami, Florida to film a commercial for the Chevy Aveo. Two team members, Chris Pieper and myself, and two advisors, Bob Phelan and John Tyler, accompanied the car to the shoot. The commercial will only be aired in Europe, so I guess you could say that the solar car team is now an international star! See Photos for some pictures of the car and stuff from the set. Chris and I will post our own personal account on that page a little later.
