Scioly.org

I guess it seems fixed now; even though the voltage drops a bit, it goes back up and stays around the same...

I know I'm late to the party, but I've read this thread through page 9. I've disassembled 3 CD players and none have the "spring attachment" to hold a CD without a closed lid. Could someone please recommend a specific motor replacement for the generator. I looked at the UXCELL, but they have several versions.

Thanks in advance.

Randy

fl0w wrote:How do you know you were 1/4 of their speed? You should be able to calculate where you are relative to the highest team, as your blade assembly score is just 50*(your total power score/highest team power score)

Well I know my 400/600 isn't reliable-my fan at school was more powerful than the one at the event. We got slightly more than 10 points for fan. I know this based on total points - written test score. So 10/50 we were roughly a 5th of the top team? (Again at Solon B division 50 teams - top teams must have blades built out of magic).

We started making heavier blades out of 1/8 balsa and that is getting about 100mv more.

The voltmeter often reads crazy on high so we aren't getting accurate readings on high. But I'm not sure why it's doing it.

Randy wrote:I know I'm late to the party, but I've read this thread through page 9. I've disassembled 3 CD players and none have the "spring attachment" to hold a CD without a closed lid. Could someone please recommend a specific motor replacement for the generator. I looked at the UXCELL, but they have several versions.

Thanks in advance.

Randy

Here's the one I'm using. It's got trayer holders!

http://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Uxcell-Pla ... l+cd+motor

OHscioly wrote:

fl0w wrote:How do you know you were 1/4 of their speed? You should be able to calculate where you are relative to the highest team, as your blade assembly score is just 50*(your total power score/highest team power score)

Well I know my 400/600 isn't reliable-my fan at school was more powerful than the one at the event. We got slightly more than 10 points for fan. I know this based on total points - written test score. So 10/50 we were roughly a 5th of the top team? (Again at Solon B division 50 teams - top teams must have blades built out of magic).

We started making heavier blades out of 1/8 balsa and that is getting about 100mv more.

The voltmeter often reads crazy on high so we aren't getting accurate readings on high. But I'm not sure why it's doing it.

There are 2 portions of the score:
1. Blade power is determine by P = (V*V)/R. You will have P score for Low speed fan and High Speed Fan. This will then be total. Each team will have a total Power Score. Which ever team has the highest total blade power, that value will be used to determined the pct of the other remaining teams.
2. Score from the test. Test suppose to have only 25 questions. Each worth 2 pts with max total of 50.

Final Score = (Team Power Score/High Team Power Score)x50 + Test Score - penalty.

Just knowing that you are 4th or 5th among the competing teams does not tell how blade fair with others. You have see the raw scoring sheet. One that is already published at SOINC.

How many people are doing pinwheel designs? Others?

I've seen a lot of pinwheel designs but I don't think they're gonna be the best. Their blades are designed off of a fan's blades. The goal of a fan is to push the air and create the greatest disturbance in it. Doesn't that mean a lot of drag? I would assume other designs that function by creating lift would be more effective.

Please correct me if I'm wrong!

pinwheel was our 1st design. Originally the goal was to catch all the wind. But there are several inherent problem. it will spin, but it wont spin to a speed that can be considered competitive. too heavy, too much drag. cannot build up torque and momentum.

Key to design is to find blade with enough weight to overtake the CD and balance the blade to spin on the same vertical plane. Too light or too heavy, won't be able to gain speed. unbalance blade shift energy from spinning to wobbling.

well design and balance blade, the blade will start slow and continue build up speed. It will spin so fast that you will hear the whizzing sound from the blade virtually projecting a solid circular plane.

I don't have much experience with this event and I was just wondering what some of you are using to test your design.

Does anyone know if your turbine goes backward do the judges still count it

fuzzy liz wrote:Does anyone know if your turbine goes backward do the judges still count it

Yes.