Power & Electronics

Batteries

We now have space within the monocoque to place the batteries together as a block. Advantages are -

1. The batteries are easier to mount
2. They are taped together and easier to remove as a block
3. Wiring is simpler and more compact. Brass bus bars are used to connect the batteries together

Battery Specification -

• 6 x Red top 8Ah 12V batteries
• 42A for 5 minutes
• 300A maximum
• Dimensions 138 x 86 x 101 mm
• M4 bolt terminal

The batteries can be configured to produce 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 or 72 volts depending of the number connected in series. we use 2 strings of three batteries

Wiring

There is no advantage in using wiring having a larger cross section than the smallest in the circuit or the melting point of the insulation higher than the melting point of solder. The wiring has been down specified in Joker. This saves weight, makes soldering easier and makes the routing of the wires easier.

Wiring Specification -

• Area, 8mm sqare multistrand quality loudspeaker wire to each motor
• two wires paralleled from the batteries to the controller
• 2 X 80A large spade type car fuses

Electronics

This had been reliable but unexpectedly broke down in July 2002 in a rather dramatic manner. 160A fuses blew repeatedly - quite spectacular!. Our speed controllers needed a complete rebuild as the MOSFET transistors had disintegrated. At that juncture we decided to rename our mischievous creation 'Joker'.

Electronics Specification -

• Vantec RDFR47E controller
• 9-60V operation

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