SunCoaster from 1990-91

[SunCoaster]

Here are some photos of the SunCoaster, that was built in 1990-91. It was built with a $2,000 budget by myself and one student. We designed it to fit in the back of a pick-up for easy transport to events. It weighs around 208 lbs, has ~ 200 Watts of solar panels, a 3-speed Sturmey-Archer hub that is chain driven by a 1 hp - 90 V (heavy) pm motor. The battery bank uses 5 of the 6, 12 V - 12 AH AGM batteries which are wired in parallel to the solar panels. Top speed is 18 mph and the break-even speed on a nice sunny sumer day is 11 mph. The speed controller is PWM, using a 555 timer that pulses the 9 power darlington transistors. Uses BMX wheels and tires and solid front fork. The vehicle was raced at SEER in Willits, CA in the early 90's.

Plan is to keep the vehicle stock and build an updated SunCoaster with modern components as an engineering / teaching comparison. Just need ~ $8K.

 

[julesa]

I like it!!! Especially the adjustable solar panel/roof.

$8K for the next one? You planning to use a large lithium pack?

 

[SunCoaster]

For the updated SunCoaster, the idea is to take each component and update it for improved efficiency / performance and weight reduction. For the batteries, ~ 10 lbs of lithium batteries would replace the 50 lbs of lead-acid batteries. Along with the weight reduction, the lithium batteries will have a higher discharge capacity for faster acceleration.

I like it!!! Especially the adjustable solar panel/roof.

$8K for the next one? You planning to use a large lithium pack?