MagLev C

[Flavorflav]

As I've said before, we can't put out a FAQ unless someone submits a formal question via the form on the soinc.org website. The form went live last week, so I encourage you to submit questions and we'll respond as quickly as our very busy schedules allow.

I submitted about a dozen, about ten days ago.

Aha, I see that the first few FAQs are up. I had heard through the grapevine that the FAQ system is experiencing technical difficulties. Do you think that you have recovered them all, or do you think that some questions were lost?

[chalker]

Aha, I see that the first few FAQs are up. I had heard through the grapevine that the FAQ system is experiencing technical difficulties. Do you think that you have recovered them all, or do you think that some questions were lost?

There were indeed some issues. I don't think we lost any, we just couldn't easily access them. I believe that was resolved over the weekend and now we are slowly working through the backlog.

[Balsa Man]

So, still to complete building/testing, but we now have measured thrust data, from our tentative power unit. This, with mass, allows calculation of times to distances.
Since Colorado didn't run this event last year, I have no feel at all for what's going to be a competitive speed. Is around a second to 95cm in that range, or have I seriously underestimated what good setups will be able to do?

[twototwenty]

So, still to complete building/testing, but we now have measured thrust data, from our tentative power unit. This, with mass, allows calculation of times to distances.
Since Colorado didn't run this event last year, I have no feel at all for what's going to be a competitive speed. Is around a second to 95cm in that range, or have I seriously underestimated what good setups will be able to do?

Well, last year for New York the best time was just over 1 second for an 8 foot track, but that was when brushless motors were allowed - I believe the team that got that time did have a brushless motor. But a good setup at that competition without a brushless motor did get under 2 seconds for the 8 feet. However, as far as being "competitive", your estimate is probably acurate, as that was New York's state competition, and we had alreday had the event the previous year.

[Balsa Man]

Thanks very much for the feedback!

[808_gorban]

I've been looking online for ducted motors and I've come upon some vocab that wikipedia and google cannot answer. One of which is, what does GWS stand for/mean? I found a few motors but I don't know what GWS mean so I don't want to get them and it turns out they can't be used. Also, would it be better to find a battery that fits your motor, or a motor that fits your battery? Just wanted to see what you guys think

[Balsa Man]

I've been looking online for ducted motors and I've come upon some vocab that wikipedia and google cannot answer. One of which is, what does GWS stand for/mean? I found a few motors but I don't know what GWS mean so I don't want to get them and it turns out they can't be used. Also, would it be better to find a battery that fits your motor, or a motor that fits your battery? Just wanted to see what you guys think

GWS is the name of a company that makes ducted fans.
Battery+motor that keeps your weight close to 250gr.

[IRONBAT]

yesterday at the cyfalls invitational when i competed my maglev vehicle weighed 368 grams and the limit is 250 i had gotten my vehicle to move 4 inches out of 70 cm and ideas on what i should do? either a stronger thrust or less mass.

Thanks

[iwonder]

Just as a note, 250g is the minimum, not the limit.

First I'd check and see if the vehicle has any places where it hits the sides of the track and make sure that it move smoothly down, then make sure your propeller is directing thrust generally down the centerline of the vehicle(so it doesn't try and steer into a wall).

[scm424]

Has anyone tried the pitsco maglev vehicle kit?

I was kind of thrown into this event last minute and I don't really know what I'm doing...