Nsu Speed Jets
Event Location: Cocoa-FL
Competition: Junior Solar Sprint
Division: 4-6 (JSS Green)
School: NSU University School
Team Name: The Speed Jets
Project Name: Solar Car Nate and Robert
Team Size: 2
Team Information
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_13211-scaled.jpg)
Our car….THE RED EYE!!! Coming to cocoa!
Car Name: Red Eye |
Team Name: Nsu Speed Jets |
School Name: NSU University School |
Team Members Names: Nate M, Robert E |
Design Documentation
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_01691-768x1024.jpg)
Top View without Solar Panel
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_13181-1024x768.jpg)
Side View #1
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_13201-scaled.jpg)
Side View #2
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_13191-scaled.jpg)
Back View
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_13171-1-scaled.jpg)
Front View
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_01811-scaled.jpg)
Special Feature of our car… THE SPOILER!!!
Project Log
Tasks / Work Done | Obstacles Encountered | Modifications to Car |
We made some design ideas. | None | Planned it out |
We started to gather materials | None | None |
We cut the chassis out | None | Base Completed |
We added the motor on | Me and my partner argued over solar panel and motor. | Motor is on |
We added the battery pack. | None | Battery Pack is on |
We added the switch. | Had to wire everything up. | Everything Wired up |
We tested the car | Turning | None |
We fixed the car turning | None | Fixed it turning |
We attached the Guide Wire | Had trouble getting it to stay on | Added Guide Wire |
We tested the car | None | None |
We accidentally ran the car off the edge of a table | The car completely broke down | We fixed the car |
We finished off fixing the car | Still had to fix it | We finished fixing the car |
We tested the Car | The car turned | We fixed it turning |
I inspected the car | My partner dropped out | None |
I added skid plates to the car | None | Added skid plates |
I added the front bumper | Had to make it fit the car | Added the front bumper |
I cut the spoiler out | Had to make multiple prototypes | Cut the spoiler |
I assembled and attached the spoiler | None | Added the spoiler |
I tested the car | None | None |
I tested the car | It was turning | We fixed it turning |
We worked on the web page | None | None |
We worked on the web page | None | None |
Design Drawings
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screen-Shot-2024-04-01-at-4.30.01-PM.png)
Design Drawing: Top View
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screen-Shot-2024-04-01-at-4.30.56-PM.png)
Design Drawing: Side View
Final Car Specifications
Car Size with Panel | Length: cm 27 | Width: cm 7.2 | Height: cm 7.3 |
Weight with Panel | g 354.5 | ||
Wheel Size | Front wheels: cm 3.2 | Back Wheels: cm 3.8 | |
Gear Ration | motor gear: axel gear 12 : 44 = 3:11 |
Materials Used
Item | Approx. Cost |
New: | |
Pitsco Ray Catcher Solar Panel (3V) | 38.25 |
small black gears, wheels and axels | 3.99 |
Pitsco Motor (3V) | 5.25 |
balsa wood | 3.99 |
Popsicle sticks | 3.99 |
switch | 3.85 |
Rubber bands | 2.99 |
alligator clips (2) | 0.14 |
tape | 3.00 |
Reflective film | 5.99 |
Piece of black binder comb to hold guide wire | 0.07 |
Straw pieces for spacers | 0.25 |
Consumables: | |
solder | |
hot glue | |
Recycled materials: | |
plastic cup | |
Cardboard | |
Plastic bottle |
Test Results / Trial Runs
Test Runs 1 – date: 3/9/24
Weather conditions:
Ran on panel or battery? Battery and Panel
Observations of results: We noticed the car had the guide not lined up
Any recommendations for improvements: the car was slow and we think that it was the eyelet.
Attempt | Time, S (seconds) | Distance, M (meters) | Speed, M/S |
1 Battery | 10.28 | 20 | 1.95 |
2 Panel | 23 | 20 | 0.87 |
Test Runs 2 – date: 3/12/24
Weather conditions: Cloudy
Ran on panel or battery? Battery
Observations of results: Straight
Any recommendations for improvements: the car went fast and we think it it was the batteries
Attempt | Time, S (seconds) | Distance, M (meters) | Speed, M/S |
1 | 6.75 | 17 | 2.67 |
2 | 6.47 | 17 | 2.63 |
3 | 7.12 | 17 | 1.60 |
Test Runs 3 – date: 3/16/24
Weather conditions: Sunny
Ran on panel or battery? Panel
Observations of results: Straighter
Any recommendations for improvements: the car went fast and we think it was straighter and good
Attempt | Time, S (seconds) | Distance, M (meters) | Speed, M/S |
1 | 9.03 | 20 | 2.21 |
2 | 8.14 | 20 | 2.46 |
3 | 8.51 | 20 | 2.35 |
Video of Our Car Running
Car Features Video
Additional Information
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_0111-1024x779.jpeg)
Drawing of Our Original Car Idea
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-1024x644.jpg)
Electrical Schematic: This is our schematic of the electrical circuits. It is the same DC motor in both drawings.
Other pictures
![](https://www.energywhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screen_Shot_2024-04-02_at_7.36.05_PM-removebg-preview.png)
The Team logo: The Speed Jets
The reflectors are a very unique addition to your car, love the out of the box thinking.