The Photons’ Solar Car
Event Location: Cocoa-FL
Competition: Junior Solar Sprint
Division: 7-8 (JSS Blue)
School: Orlando Gifted Academy
Team Name: The Gamma Rays
Project Name: The Photon
Team Size: 2
The Photon, from Orlando Gifted Academy, by Miles H. 7th grade, Clay W. 7th grade
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WIN_20240403_13_57_17_Pro-1024x576.jpg)
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/first-solar-car-idea-m.png)
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/first-solar-car-idea-b.png)
List of Components
Junior Solar Sprint Deluxe Kit | 39.99 | New |
Superglue x 4 | 4.99 | New |
Switches | 4.99 | New |
Battery Pack | 4.99 | New |
Alligator Clips 12pc | 4.99 | New |
Balsa Wood Sticks | 0 | Reused |
Plastic Wrap | 0 | Recycled |
Balsa Sheet x 2 | 5.99 | New |
Bass Wood Sheet | 3.50 | New |
Battery | 0 | Reused |
Hot Glue Sticks | 0 | Reused |
Crazy glue x 2 | 3.99 | New |
Crazy glue x 2 | 0 | Reused |
Photos
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WIN_20240402_14_37_30_Pro-1024x576.jpg)
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WIN_20240402_14_37_40_Pro-1024x576.jpg)
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WIN_20240402_14_37_48_Pro-1024x576.jpg)
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WIN_20240402_14_37_56_Pro-1024x576.jpg)
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WIN_20240402_14_38_08_Pro-1024x576.jpg)
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WIN_20240402_14_38_27_Pro-1024x576.jpg)
Overall Measurements
Our car is __ centimeters long, 13.75 centimeters wide, And __ centimeters tall.
Our front wheel’s diameter is 3.6 centimeters, and our back wheels 6.4 centimeters.
Our car’s weight is __ grams.
Our gear ratio is 12-58
Testing Results
Vehicle Test info | Test 1 | Test 2 | Test 3 |
Solar/Battery | |||
Date and Time | |||
Speed | |||
Distance |
Our Project’s Log
3/4
We finished off designing the overall shape of the frame of the car. 30 minutes, Miles and Clay
3/5
We worked on the design of the electronics. 30 minutes, Miles and Clay
3/6
Tested solar panel outside (3-4 volts on a good day). 30 minutes, Miles and Clay
3/7
We built the circuitry starting stage and started with building the frame. 30 minutes, Miles and Clay
3/8
We tried to connect the frame, but there was no super-glue and advanced circuitry. 30 minutes, Miles and Clay
3/12
Edited frame to fit solar panel better, taken off panel wrap. 30 minutes, Miles and Clay
3/14
Attached ping bong ball carriage to the frame, added wrapping on the bottom of the frame to attach mechanics. 30 minutes, Miles and Clay
3/25
Created a back for the car where the switches will be and attached the board and 1 switch. 30 minutes, Miles and Clay
3/26
Attached the other switch and side walls for the axle, see image one. 30 minutes, Miles and Clay
3/28
Attached a gear to the axle, 30 minutes, Miles and Clay
3/29
Connected front wheels, fine-tuned motor, stabilized wheel, and reversed motor direction (to forward).30 minutes, Miles and Clay
3/30
Sanded the wheels, permanently attached the solenoid motor, changed the gear ratio, and tested.2.5 hours, Clay
4/1
modified ping pong ball chassis, creating new left wheel. 30 minutes, clay and miles
4/2
sanded new wheel, temporarily added solar panel, and photos of car. 30 minutes, Miles and Clay
The only difference between screwing around and science is writing it down.
-Adam Savage, 2004
Need test run video
We are working on testing the car still, we plan on doing the tests in the next few days.
When we have finished the test video, how would we post it to the website?