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Initial Design Considerations
Initial Design Considerations
The electrical system had some notable changes from its initial starting point. In the beginning the TOP was thought to be both a wind and solar energy capturing system. Wind energy seemed like a great option because it can be captured anytime of day. Initially the frame was going to resemble something similar to a mobile ice cream selling station, but instead of an umbrella there would be a small wind turbine. The bigger frame would allow for more batteries and a larger wind turbine. Also having larger tires would make it easier to get over any rough routes along the way.
The electrical system had some notable changes from its initial starting point. In the beginning the TOP was thought to be both a wind and solar energy capturing system. Wind energy seemed like a great option because it can be captured anytime of day. Initially the frame was going to resemble something similar to a mobile ice cream selling station, but instead of an umbrella there would be a small wind turbine. The bigger frame would allow for more batteries and a larger wind turbine. Also having larger tires would make it easier to get over any rough routes along the way.
Although this design has great strengths, its flaws were one two many. The first is the overall shape, it is simply to big, making moving it around or up a hill a major task. Having more batteries on board is always a plus, but the price that comes with new batteries is very high. In the end having all that space did not add value. Lastly and most importantly, wind turbines below about four feet in diameter hardly capture any energy. Placing a four foot wind turbine on a cart seemed far too precarious with the resources at hand.
Although this design has great strengths, its flaws were one two many. The first is the overall shape, it is simply to big, making moving it around or up a hill a major task. Having more batteries on board is always a plus, but the price that comes with new batteries is very high. In the end having all that space did not add value. Lastly and most importantly, wind turbines below about four feet in diameter hardly capture any energy. Placing a four foot wind turbine on a cart seemed far too precarious with the resources at hand.
Final Design Considerations
Final Design Considerations
The final design turned out much smaller in the end. A dolly was chosen for the frame of the TOP, as it is easy to build upon and can move a lot of weight with relative ease. The wind turbine was removed from the final design because it is very challenging to incorporate one of a large enough size. Through research it was discovered that wind turbines are best suited for large scale applications. The battery is made from recycled lithium ion laptop batteries. All the batteries were tested, and rated based on their current and voltage, to ensure they were still safe to use. Used batteries kept costs lower and provided many opportunities to learn more about battery lifespans. An Arduino Mega was selected for the brains of this project, as it does not require a higher performing micro controller. Modular sensors were selected to ensure installation was the easiest compared to loose integrated circuits. The inverter was picked because it inputs 12v- 9v DC and outputs 120 AC at a maximum of 12.5 Amps continuous.
The final design turned out much smaller in the end. A dolly was chosen for the frame of the TOP, as it is easy to build upon and can move a lot of weight with relative ease. The wind turbine was removed from the final design because it is very challenging to incorporate one of a large enough size. Through research it was discovered that wind turbines are best suited for large scale applications. The battery is made from recycled lithium ion laptop batteries. All the batteries were tested, and rated based on their current and voltage, to ensure they were still safe to use. Used batteries kept costs lower and provided many opportunities to learn more about battery lifespans. An Arduino Mega was selected for the brains of this project, as it does not require a higher performing micro controller. Modular sensors were selected to ensure installation was the easiest compared to loose integrated circuits. The inverter was picked because it inputs 12v- 9v DC and outputs 120 AC at a maximum of 12.5 Amps continuous.
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