# Engineering Projects/Electric Cars/Howard Community College/Fall2011/550 ekart
## Electronic Sections Expected
### Problem Statement

How can a team of three HCC students design and build an electric go-kart?

### Team Members

    CR
    Jeffreycarllloyd

### Summary

Weekly reports

### Story

Made up of two members: Jeffrey Lloyd, and Carlos Riveros. The project ekart will be an attempt to design and build an all electric go-cart prototype to encourage further funding of this project. We want to do things first by creating this prototype e-kart with inexpensive and donated materials while staying within a $250.00 budget. After we have a tangible working product, we will showcase it to HCC to get further funding and probably start an intercollegiate competition among Maryland's community colleges.

#### Week One

* Confused about project. Problem: What HCC allows and is willing to fund VS. What we as a team want to accomplish: an electric go kart.
* Lots of research
* Finding donations for project
* Find pre-made go kart frame and buy it

#### Week Two

* More research
* Could not buy inexpensive frame, therefore we had to build one from scratch
* Ekart frame design and construction
* DC motor mounting ideas

#### Week Three

* More research.
* Bought speed controller and 3-way potentiometer.
* Bought inexpensive frame from private vendor.
* Modified bought frame for our project's needs.

#### Week Four

* Finished ekart presentation
* Tested ekart's frame and steering by using a 0.5HP fan motor.
* Ordered battery cables, plugs and fuses for ESC system.
* Tested the motor
After four weeks of research and hard work, we were able to get a test-run of the ekart using a 0.5HP DC fan motor: 1ST TEST-RUN

### Decision List

* After the previous team's attempt to build an electric car, this new ekart team has decided to build an electric go-kart.
* Searched for donations of parts and tools.
* Decided to create a powerpoint presentation to obtain approval for this project.
* Decided to test the donated motors.
* Decided to buy frame and modify it.

### Materials List

* Steel tubes (1" and 1.5" diameter) -- DONATED
* MIG welder -- BORROWED
* Plastic chair seat -- DONATED
* Two 6V lead-acid batteries -- DONATED
* Two 12V lead-acid batteries -- DONATED
* Programmable 200A 48V Kelly ESC -- BOUGHT FOR $120.00
* 10" go kart wheels -- DONATED
* Used go kart frame without motor -- BOUGHT FOR $60.00
* Battery cable 48V -- DONATED
* 3-way potentiometer (throttle pedal) -- BOUGHT FOR $30.00

### Software List

* Web Browser (Online Research)
* Microsoft's Power Point 2010
* Microsoft's Excel 2010
* Autodesk 123D for go-kart design
* Google Sketch Up
* Prezi presentation aid

### Time

* Week 0: Each student spent an average of 6.5 hours doing research and coordinating existing materials.
* Week 1: Each student spent an average of 7.2 hours creating a presentation, testing the electric motor, and performing research on individual parts.
* Week 2: Each student spent an average of 7.3 hours designing key components and testing existing equipment for compatibility.
* Week 3: Each student spent an average of 6.2 hours working on ekart's frame and handling components (steering and braking system).
* Week 4: Each student spent an average of 5.7 hours working on ekart's motor and electrical components.
* TOTAL TIME: 32.9 HOURS

### Tutorials

Our inspiration: "The Neurotikart"

#### Research links:

http://www.kartbuilding.net/
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/electric-car2.htm
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/motor.htm

### Next Steps

Create an effective electrical system for the ekart. Test ekart and present finished product to HCC to get funding for a better and faster version.