Mousetrap Vehicle C

[Habanana]

I have a mousetrap vehicle that rolls for about a feet and then it stops. However, when I pick it up, the axle continues spinning. I have rubber balloons on my wheels for traction, but I’m not sure why it stops. Is it because it’s too heavy? Or are my mousetraps too weak? Thanks!!

[antoine_ego]

I have a mousetrap vehicle that rolls for about a feet and then it stops. However, when I pick it up, the axle continues spinning. I have rubber balloons on my wheels for traction, but I’m not sure why it stops. Is it because it’s too heavy? Or are my mousetraps too weak? Thanks!!

Possibly your lever arms are too long which reduces the torque available to the wheels. Alternatively your axles are too small or your wheels too large.

[Alex-RCHS]

I have a mousetrap vehicle that rolls for about a feet and then it stops. However, when I pick it up, the axle continues spinning. I have rubber balloons on my wheels for traction, but I’m not sure why it stops. Is it because it’s too heavy? Or are my mousetraps too weak? Thanks!!

Possibly your lever arms are too long which reduces the torque available to the wheels. Alternatively your axles are too small or your wheels too large.

Also, see if you can reduce friction between the wingnut and threaded rod.

[19sawickin]

How are people dealing with their mousetraps losing power over time? Is that a thing that people have been experiencing or only me? I'm just using the generic wooden ones with the red arrow thing painted on it, not the easy set ones. How often do you recommend changing out the mousetraps?

[terence.tan]

How are people dealing with their mousetraps losing power over time? Is that a thing that people have been experiencing or only me? I'm just using the generic wooden ones with the red arrow thing painted on it, not the easy set ones. How often do you recommend changing out the mousetraps?

Yes the victor mousetrap tend to lose power overtime due to the constant tension on the coil. I have already replaced my mousetraps once.

[retired1]

I think that it is more due to the number of times that it is fully flexed. The abrupt snap back (sometimes) may not help.

[Rêveur]

How are people dealing with their mousetraps losing power over time? Is that a thing that people have been experiencing or only me? I'm just using the generic wooden ones with the red arrow thing painted on it, not the easy set ones. How often do you recommend changing out the mousetraps?

Yes the victor mousetrap tend to lose power overtime due to the constant tension on the coil. I have already replaced my mousetraps once.

How much difference in run time does the loss of power over time result in?

[terence.tan]

How are people dealing with their mousetraps losing power over time? Is that a thing that people have been experiencing or only me? I'm just using the generic wooden ones with the red arrow thing painted on it, not the easy set ones. How often do you recommend changing out the mousetraps?

Yes the victor mousetrap tend to lose power overtime due to the constant tension on the coil. I have already replaced my mousetraps once.

How much difference in run time does the loss of power over time result in?

the time difference is very insignificant maybe 1 or 2 seconds. but for my vehicle it will only be able to go back to the 4m mark with the power of a new strong mousetrap. After the mousetrap starts to lose its power it dose not have enough force to drive it far enough

[antoine_ego]

Yes the victor mousetrap tend to lose power overtime due to the constant tension on the coil. I have already replaced my mousetraps once.

How much difference in run time does the loss of power over time result in?

the time difference is very insignificant maybe 1 or 2 seconds. but for my vehicle it will only be able to go back to the 4m mark with the power of a new strong mousetrap. After the mousetrap starts to lose its power it dose not have enough force to drive it far enough

Either increase your lever arm length, or reduce friction along the axle. This should give you the required distance.

[19sawickin]

Is there anything in the rules that disallows our rod from hitting the ground when the vehicle stops? Our rod is a flexible metal so when our car brakes the rod keeps bending and hits the ground but bounces back up. This doesn't actually affect the run of the vehicle in any way, but the proctor at Northview informed us that it's something we might want to watch out for in future competitions. I just want to be prepared in case any other proctors bring this up.