Date: 2.14.19
Location: Logan HS
Time: 4:30-7:00 PM
Goal: Replace old generator with new generator and wire in battery charging circuit.
Students:Paige, Avery, Austin, Alex, Tanner and Thomas.
Well weather has not been on our side this week. We had another snow day bringing our total up for the year to 5 (so far). This is impacting our planning and work times.
We got some good news in the buck boost chip came in today from the Netherlands. Alex can start to solder it into the circuit after the diodes are spec'd out.
We are experimenting with two things tonight. The first is the new motor/generator that our simulations indicated would give us the most current and lowest inpedance. We are also experimenting with a new linkage using a bi-directional spring connecting the heel to the main gear.
More failure than success tonight. The new motor and gear heads were the biggest disappointment as the modified gearhead we made slips and will not initiate the main motor at high speed. We think we damaged it when we installed our pinion gear or the internal gearhead gears are slipping. Regardless, we have to make a new one. The first test of our charging circuit did not go as planned also. We found one of the problems (ground issue) and will trace the other one down on Monday.
Paige worked on catching up on the big book and starting to look at fundraising from companies.
Tomorrow she will keep working on my list of things to do. Tanner worked on updating the financials on our spreadsheet, while Avery worked on the blog and figuring out some of the finer details of blog posting.
Alex worked on:
Finished soldering charging circuit
Added extension leads to new motor
Dremeled out motor mount to fit new motor
Attached new motor to testing device
Tested motor, got poor results, motor gear slipping
In addition the testing circuit does not output, unsure why
Testing circuit does work but it will need to be revamped at some point
When tested manually with new motor it was discovered the testing circuit does work properly
Began to test charging circuit, am not getting output, needs to be looked into
Thomas worked on:
Talked with Mr. Foye on design for new rectifier circuit
Tested function of super zener diode. This is to protect the charging circuit. In our current system, we can store 4.6 joules which is our goal, with the new super capacitors we can store 6.7 to 9.2 joules. Our charging circuit still has questions as we have to work out the mechanics with our motors.
Put most of new circuit onto multisim in preparation for simulation.
Waiting on more data from new motor tests to finalize parameters.
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| Our new motor with the 8-1 gearhead and pinion gear installed. This did not hold up to the testing we did. |
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| Alex replacing motors on the mount. |
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| Austin working on soldering the new Bluetooth module to a board. |
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| Tanner updating the finances. |
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| Paige updating the Big Book! |
Video of Austin testing the Bluetooth and Arduino setup.
Austin soldering components for the communication module.
Basic functions of our wireless communication system are:
When and how often to communicate.
How to maintain processor on and in control.
How to control battery charging. What level of battery charging current and when.
How to use system voltages to decide above activities.
To make it easier a multi-pin cable with power and signals could be used.
Cable Signals could be:
1) Generator voltage(analog-<50V)
2) Stored charge voltage(analog-<50V)
3) Battery voltage(analog-<5V)
4) Power for processor and Bluetooth modules(5VDC)
5) Common
6) Common
7) Battery charger enable(logic- processor output)
8) Battery charger current level(logic- processor output)
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