Los Altos Academy of Engineering
 

 

 

Designed and Constructed: 1998

 

First Race: Solar Bike Rayce USA, S-Class May 1997 - Topeka, Kansas


Dimensions:
Length: 118 in. (300 cm)
Width: 36 in. (91.44 cm)
Height: 20 in. (50 cm)
Weight: 441 lbs (200 kg)

 

Solar Array:
Manufacturer: Siemens
Model: Type I

Cell Type: Monocrystalline

Power Tracker:
Number: 90 whole cells

Efficiency: 14.5%
Total Area: 0.967 m

1 Solectria 6 amp

Output: 135w peak, expected average of 108w

 

Batteries:
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Model: LCR6V12P (16-6V batteries, 96V system)

Type: lead-acid
Capacity: 1.15 kWh discharge rate at 20 hr Weight: 1.3 lbs per battery (0.6 kg)
Total weight: 21.2 lbs (9.6 kg)

 

Body:
Composite construction vacuum bag wet lay-up process

Carbon fiber (exterior) - Plexiglas window shield

Fiberglass/matt (interior) - foam core

 

Weight:
Bottom: 29 lbs (13 kg)
Top (solar): 23 lbs (10 kg)
Chassis: 3/4 in. mild steel round tube 0.05 wall

Motor:
Manufacturer: Kollemorgen / Industrial Drive
Model: TM-2952-3133-B

Weight: 14.5 lbs (6.6 kg)
Power Output: 746 W

Maximum speed: 3600 rpm


Controller:
Manufacturer: AERL
Type: Pulse Width Modulated DC Brush Motor Controller

 

Suspension:
Front: Double rubber isolators
Rear: Single rubber isolators


Brakes:
Manufacturer: Hayes mountain bike
Type: Dual Piston Hydraulic Disc Brakes (2)


Tires:
Manufacturer: Bridgestone / Firestone
Type: Solar tires (3) at 120 PSI


Wheels:

NewGen one-piece CNC-machined from aluminum billet


Performance:

100 kilometers in 2 hrs 21 min: 1997 National Record for Solar BikeRayce S-Class


Check out the Light Speed photo gallery by clicking here.

 
 
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