Monday, things are looking okay...

The frame is coming together, and preparations need to be made as far as mounting steering/wheels. 

Our goal is to make the steering something simple to weld together in such a small amount of time, which is why we are going to try and use something similar to either the Electrothon or SK2, or perhaps a hybrid of the both of them. 

This picture is an example of a very stable setup, one that we should/could try and emulate on our car, if time permits:

Frame Progress, Video Stagnation

While the frame continues to be welded together, piece by piece, it look like some stagnation has set in as far as the kickstarted video goes. While, initially, the dilemma was waiting for everybody to finish their lines (which, for most, happened well after the deadline I arranged), the problem now is simply editing the draft video together. It is rough, and poorly prepared for, but will hopefully give us an idea of what the real thing will look/sound like, and whether or not it is viable material for drawing in sponsorship. Video progress will continue as time permits, but, for now, the main priority is getting that chassis rolling!

DEADLINE

Goals include develop steering for new prototype.
TWO WEEKS.
Till the second chassis due date is.
Welding is in motion.  This is what we have so far.

Short Week, Long List of Goals

1. Work on/ finish kickstarter rough draft video
2. Begin welding frame
3. Check up on everybody's progress, with finishing the mock car as the main goal.

Conduit is in!

We have conduit, and we have Mr. Toot to weld for us, too. So the race against the clock begins, as final adjustments to the design are underway before we fend off the encroaching close of the second quarter with a rolling chassis as the ultimate objective. If we make it in time, our grades are spared. If we fail to get things "rolling," if you will, then our grades will face the repercussions.

LET'S GO!!

Beginning of the End.

Moving on......
1. Shell being added to frame design (includes wheels, solar panels, etc.)
2. Awaiting conduit for new "mock" frame.

WRAP UP

1. Welding practice complete.

2. Kickstarter video line practice started.  

3. Frame is COMPLETE.

Frame Begins

1. Frame design being FINALIZED.

2. Welding practice continues 

3. Kickstarter Video in progress

4. Monitor Trello activity to ensure that deadlines are being met!

Major Movements

Welding has been ongoing all week since the stand has been built. 

Brake issues are being worked out at this very moment.

The name for the solar car has been born: SOLAR TEMPLAR.

And now I must find a photoshop mastermind to design a killer logo for that name.

On top of this, individual emails have been sent to each actor/actress in the impending video.

Hopefully, once we get a camera and the lines are written, we can
film something conducive to Kickstarter success!

New Objective

As the search for a cheap, functional, local motorcycle transmission goes on, my focus remains on the solar car video remake. This week I plan on assigning parts to each person, and emailing the basic assignment to each actor's email. We also need to think up a new name for the solar car! Goals, goals, goals. Let's go.

As some goals are reached, others are born

This week, we started by building a stand for welding upon, and once that project was finished, the eyes all averted. Why? Welding is now underway!

A new goal has also surfaced: make a video to boost our cause's Kickstarter appeal. Martin and I sat down and story-boarded. We have decided to use the Cambridge video as inspiration:

Goals for this week.

1. Continue working on welding stand.
2. Check up on all groups, especially regarding funding ideas.
3. Continue search for cheap, local motorcycle transmission!
4. Work out kinks with break pedal

Need a Welding Stand!

In order to begin welding, we need a place to weld. Martin has assigned Chase to handle it since he has experience in welding. But I plan to help out on the construction of the stand, at least, since I don't need prior welding knowledge to do so.

Post-Success Cleanup

Now that we've got this thing on wheels, Martin asks that we straighten up and begin looking forward to bigger goals. New tubes are needed, gearbox research is in its early stages, and the brakes are being finalized. Plus, the fiberglass bubble has been assigned!

Goals for Week

1. Research motorcycle gearbox
2. Begin the welding process
3. Build a welding stand
4. Make phone calls! 

This Week's Goals!

We must obtain the master chain link, then connect it to the sprocket and motor.
We must mount the front wheels.
We must acquire an 80 amp DC breaker to connect the charge controller.
We must find/connect the tie bars.
We must connect the gas pedal and bleed the breaking system.

Goal Outcomes

1. Did not get chain connected to sprocket and motor- Missing Master Chain Link, need chain length correct chain and chain placement
2. Front wheel placement postponed- Waiting for proper tires, looking for tie bars
3. Charge controller - waiting for 80-amp DC breakers
4. Steering/Tie-bars not connected- Looking for tie-bars located in the back room. 
5. Accelerator - acquired gas pedal from electric go-kart, awaiting further connection to sk2
6. Brakes- still need to bleed braking system

Other accomplishments: Wired main power switches 

Week Starter

Planning on finishing SK2.  Up and running by Friday.
Wheels yesterday were giving trouble, still need air.

GOALS FOR THIS WEEK

1. Get chain connected to sprocket and motor

2. Front wheel placement

3. Connect charge controller

4. Steering / axle connected

5. Develop accelerator

6. Connect brakes

LET'S GO!!!

Orthodox

Officially doing a full senior project with letter of intent and proposal.
Each group will do their own research of their part and the overall objective.
Computer Design is being updated by Arthur
Camillo is keeping our fundraising website http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/972031718/building-a-solar-car-from-scratch?ref=live up to date.
Batteries are wired to Motor Controller
-Till Monday

All Is Well

Things are looking nice.

Chris went ahead and laid out the parameters for the senior  project.
My goal is to hone all of this information in and to begin on the smaller writing pieces involved therein. 

Eric showed me the wiring he and his partner are working on.

Today, I've been informed and impressed. 

Let's keep up the good work!

Currently gathering Senior project information for all.  Deadlines, paperwork, Project guidelines.
Sprocket and chains are being sorted.  Motor controller is being mounted, Charge controller is planning to be wired.

Wheels Up

Air compressor parts are connected, pumped rear tire today.  Awaiting valve stems from Matt.  

Jason is currently mounting the motor controller and we are in this project.  

Short Update

      One tire has air! This is good news. Two more to go, in the front. On top of that, Matt has said he will be getting the needed valve stems this weekend.

       -RD

The Meeting

       Today, Mr. Martin pulled me, Chris, and some others aside to deliver some words of advice. He wants us to actually initiate. Instead of putting "Find valve stems" on the task manager, we have been ordered to, well, give orders. We directed the task towards Camillo; other tasks are soon to be doled out to the class. We will get our tasks complete one way or another.
-RD

For now, wheels are the priority.

Stagnation

Stagnation.

Chris and I have activated both a wish list and check list.
They are being added to naturally by the other groups.
As they develop, a proper inventory for the whole project will be assembled naturally.
For now, in the absence of Mr. Martin, I have been following Chris, Fernando, and Jeffrey around and helping where I can. 

Progress resumes Monday.

Setting up the task manager.
Also Helping to fill all tires with air in the name of progress.
Working with unsealed tubeless tires and an air compressor.

Return Trip

Got back last night from my road trip.  Been gone for 2 weeks.
My focus now is to get UPDATED ASAP on all progress that has been made.
Richard got us off to a good start from an executive stand point by downloading and distributing the Winston Solar Car Challenge rules and regulations to our team.
The start of this major project IS IN MOTION!!

Moving Along

Gmail affairs are part of the agenda.

It feels nice to see progress being made. 

As of now, my gmail account is collecting the emails of my classmates.

With their emails, I will connect us all to a google doc and write up a quick to-do / wish list.

Each separate group will be able to input their specific needs.
This will make the whole process of part purchasing far more transparent.

I like this idea.
And it shall get done.

Today.

Goals, Goals, Goals, and Goals. The rules of the Winston solar car challenge were download in PDF form. I distributed 10 pages each to two fellow students. Their aim is to locate all page numbers regarding electrical aspects. They will write down their page findings with short summaries and return them to me when they finish up! I am yet to start but will commence my set of ten pages tomorrow :)

Eager to Begin!

I want to start! 
But I must blog.

So progression will remain on hold until this entry is over. 

I am beginning to feel nervous about getting things underway.With such a vast amount of time ahead, this feeling is a bit unjustified. 

Chris and I are both naturally driven.
This period of complacency, as a result, feels a tad unnatural.
Actually, I won't call it a period of "complacency," but, instead, a period of inactivity.
Or blog activity,
Which still matters greatly.
It just takes a hefty chunk out of my time and ability to collect a reasonable background to shape the deadlines around.

IN THE END, IT WILL BE A GREAT HELP TO SEE THE PROGRESSION VIA BLOG.
I know this. It just feels off kilter. I blame the fact that things JUST got underway.

The goals of both preceding entries still stand, untouched. 
I will touch those goals. Today. 
Time to touch.

-RD

The Starting Line

       The goals shall begin getting checked off; the to-do's mentioned in post #1 will begin today. They won't get finished, but the process will nonetheless be underway. I'm not looking forward to the tediousness of arranging reasonable deadlines for all groups. Sure, it will be a hassle, but in the end, the organization will prove key. I can't wait until the deadlines Chris and I lay out begin to act as motivation. Only then will the car start to find itself inching closer and closer to (speedy) functionality. Now, time for me to get off this blog, list all of the key sub-processes from within each group, and get the cogitating started!  

An Ambitious Start

An Ambitious Start

Today, the plan was born.

Richard D'Albert.

Chris Bhalai.

Two men. Infinite ability.

Our Duties/Goals:

       Chris and I were honored today when we were named the executive managers of the SK2 project this year. I feel like being paired with such a knowledgeable engineer and businessman has definitely put me at an advantage in my pursuit to learn the gears of the process. My position will easily allow me to gather a well rounded understanding of what goes into actually designing and building solar car technology. When checking on the progress of each other group, I will inquire on what is going on, how, and why, to be sure that a holistic grasp on engineering is solidified. 

Our Short Term 

   This week, in the absence of Chris, my goal is not only to learn more about the classmates I'll be working with (and their special abilities, from which I can learn a thing or two), but also to establish a draft list of checkpoints and rough deadlines. Though the list won't be ready until it has been deeply scrutinized and agreed upon, the first draft will be a good starting point. Each duo of pupils will have their own deadline checklist, including me and Chris, and there may even be a single checklist for the whole of the class to keep track of as well (depending on whether or not Mr. Martin deems it necessary).