Looking primarily for some motor recommendations for our entry into the SMUD Solar Challenge next May in California.
We are given (loaned) four, used MSX-64 solar panels putting out about 300 watts at best.
We are allowed 180 watt-hours in a sealed marine battery.
Our hull speed is about 6 MPH and we have a selection of model airplane propellers to test which is optimum under two different conditions: solar panels only and battery only.
For the battery only section, we need to travel as far as possible in 25 minutes. If we run out of juice before 25 minutes, we are disqualified!
For the other two events, we can use panels only.
Propeller changes are allowed between events.
No motor or battery changes are allowed.
We need to purchase a motor, controller, solar-charger, 180 watt-hour maximum battery, kill switch (on a lanyard), momentary fwd/rvs switch (dead-man-throttle), and a 3-way power switch.
The poorly worded rules are found here:
https://www.smud.org/assets/documents/pdf/solar-regatta-packet.pdf
Pages 17, and 22 - 25 are of special interest here.
We have great advice and mentorship on everything but the above mentioned items.
That's why we're here, on this forum looking for suggestions, help, or recommendations.
The lower the RPM and higher the propeller diameter the better.
Gearing would be a challenge and no where near as simple as a four foot shaft straight off the swivel mounted motor on the aft deck, like a long-boat in Thailand.
Thanking you in advance.
We are given (loaned) four, used MSX-64 solar panels putting out about 300 watts at best.
We are allowed 180 watt-hours in a sealed marine battery.
Our hull speed is about 6 MPH and we have a selection of model airplane propellers to test which is optimum under two different conditions: solar panels only and battery only.
For the battery only section, we need to travel as far as possible in 25 minutes. If we run out of juice before 25 minutes, we are disqualified!
For the other two events, we can use panels only.
Propeller changes are allowed between events.
No motor or battery changes are allowed.
We need to purchase a motor, controller, solar-charger, 180 watt-hour maximum battery, kill switch (on a lanyard), momentary fwd/rvs switch (dead-man-throttle), and a 3-way power switch.
The poorly worded rules are found here:
https://www.smud.org/assets/documents/pdf/solar-regatta-packet.pdf
Pages 17, and 22 - 25 are of special interest here.
We have great advice and mentorship on everything but the above mentioned items.
That's why we're here, on this forum looking for suggestions, help, or recommendations.
The lower the RPM and higher the propeller diameter the better.
Gearing would be a challenge and no where near as simple as a four foot shaft straight off the swivel mounted motor on the aft deck, like a long-boat in Thailand.
Thanking you in advance.