Light Racers are easy to get into - the first one we built took about an hour to assemble!
Below is a four step program to take you from a total novice to a moon-ready veteran.
Vendors carrying Light Racer components are listed at the bottom of this page.
For a much more detailed, illustrated, step-by-step Light Racer Construction Manual, download our complete curriculum document.
See important note about frequency selection for your Light Racer
Above: Basic Light Racer with
Foam-core board based PV sail.
Below: 6.5 Watt solar battery charger.
Step 1
The easiest way to start your Light Racer adventure:
- Read our illustrated step-by-step Light Racer curriculum and Construction Manual
- Get an electric RC car (someone you know must have one!)
- Remove (or don't install) the battery
- Buy a solar (photovoltaic) panel (see vendors below)
- Mount the panel horizontally - we used foam-core boards for our first car.
- Go out on a sunny day.
- Give her a try! You can use a large mirror up close to simulate a horizontal light beam.
- Your first after-thought:
"The real light will be coming both from the front and the back of the car!". That's correct - you're not quite done yet.
Step 2
Consider ways to make your PV sail work on both ends of the race track, for example:
- A double-sided PV sail.
- A single-sided PV sail with a lightweight Mylar mirror.
- A panel that can flip 180 degrees (Either horizontally of vertically)
- Maybe teach your driver to U-turn half way through the race and complete the track in reverse...
- ...There are more ideas and configurations possible - try to come up with one of your own!
- Be sure you can complete the 100' track, driving both towards and away from the light source.
Step 3
Now that you've gotten the taste of victory:
- Add capacitors to act as an energy storage device (Scroll to vendor list)
- Get a higher-quality motor and gearbox. Make them fit in your car!
- Build your own PV Sail from high quality cells. (Avoid triple junction cells though)
- Consider various forms of energy storage.
- Consider efficient use of available power and energy.
- Build your own drag-racing optimized car from scratch.
- Consider automated steering (Unlimited racing category only)
- Automated power management - this is not as difficult as it sounds!
Step 4
Practice:
- Practice with Solar light.
- Practice with Hand-Held power spotlights.
- If you can - practice with a commercial spotlight.
- The competition light will provide 1-2 solar densities at 50', and even more when up close!
- Sign up for our newsletter - keep updated!
Starting Points
|
Internet Science and Hobby Shops
These stores are dangerous to your wallet!
|
RC Car centers in Utah
Cars, components, and expertise!
|
Good Luck!
© The Spaceward Foundation 2008 - www.spaceward.org - Mountain View, CA