Todo List

Rotary Racer 8, Renovatio: Todo List 2009 - 2010

Ideas for improvements to existing car

Priority 1

  • Research 349mm wheel components and purchase.
  • Build wheels.
  • Make new foam sides.
  • Make new rollbar with steel rear strut.
  • Increase steering ratio (more joystick movement to turn).
  • Investigate and Improve Aerodynamics. (GB)
  • Improve telemetry display on laptop and train younger members on how to use during a race. (Any takers + TB)
  • Increase the horn volume. Needs PCB designed and built. (GB,DD + TB)
  • Safety audit: Brake tests, Tilt test. (LT)
  • More sponsorship and/or Morrisons bag packing.
  • Seat belt fixing and adjustment for quicker pit stops. (LT)

Priority 2

  • Stabalise cars exterier. Coating with fibreglass tissue and resin or acrilic paint.
  • Paint car to design.
  • Consider printing on the overalls to improve our presentation / image. BM
  • Driver distress button.

Priority 3

  • Reversed and reduced throttle movement. Reversed as it reaaly goes the wrong way. Drill and fit grub screw at appropriate place. Fit smaller slider variable resistor. (TA)
  • Look at the seating arrangement. (LT)
  • Develop pc game. GB,DD
  • Consider having an adjustable steering column shaft that can be moved for the tall and shorter drivers. TA
  • Look at better tyres (e,g, durable, low rolling resistance, but better braking efficiency)
  • Make new battery trolly to match car height. LT

Ideas

  • Improve electronics, new motor speed controller.GB
  • Ear pieces / communication
  • Investigate other wheel sizes
  • make F24+ car from RR7

Possible Aerodynamics improvements:

  • Side air dams
  • Rear shape
  • Windscreen shape
  • Cover in top of rear wheels
  • Nose cone shape (More air under or over the car ?).
  • Around driver area
  • Rollbar aerofoils
  • Car tilt (Up at back or down at back)

ToDecide

  • To use or not battery heating ?
  • Compete with 2 or 3 batteries ? (maybe depends on what other top cars do)

The Plan

Date Description
2009-12-01
  • Meeting on what to do
  • Atkins visit ? 
 2009-12-08
  • Decide order of job leader. (Tom first)
  • Decide on Team Captain. (James)
  • Add air vents to lockup to save rust.
  • Update the story / notice board. DB,TA
  • Check Frame alignment. 
2009-12-15
  • Remove motor
  • Remove rear subrame
  • Paint steel subframes / parts
2010-01-19
  • Fix battery testing board. New bulbs.
  • Start building new telemetry aerial mount.
  • Pictures on notice board and start adding history to website.
  • Car horn amplifier research.
2010-01-26
  • Telemetry aerial mount.
  • Replace painted rear subframe and wheels
  • VWT aerodynamics research. GB
  • Look at brakes.
  • Test RR7 battery (has had megapulse on it). TB
  • Start replacing wheel coverings.
  • Coat shaped foam with firbreglass resin and epoxy perhaps with fibreglass tissue.
  • Build battery pulser PCB.
2010-02-02
  • Telemetry aerial mount.
  • VWT aerodynamics research. GB
  • Look at brakes.
  • Replacing wheel coverings.
  • Coat shaped foam with firbreglass resin and epoxy perhaps with fibreglass tissue.
  • Build battery pulser PCB.
2010-02-09  
  • finish Telemetry aerial mount.
  • VWT aerodynamics research. GB
  • remove steering and paint
  • Replacing wheel coverings.
  • Coat shaped foam with firbreglass resin and epoxy perhaps with fibreglass tissue.
  • Build box for battery pulser PCB.
  • reserch how to manage speed
  • try using glass fible with undercoat on foam.
2010-02-16  Half Term Holiday
2010-02-23  
  • finish Telemetry aerial mount.
  • VWT aerodynamics research. GB
  • replace steering in car and level out for improved brakes
  • Replacing wheel coverings.
  • Build box for battery pulser PCB.
  • reserch how to manage speed
  • try using glass fible with undercoat on foam.
  • rotary club talk
2010-03-02  
  • finish Telemetry aerial mount.
  • VWT aerodynamics research. GB
  • finish replaceing steering in car and level out for improved brakes
  • Replacing wheel coverings.
  • Build box for battery pulser PCB.
  • reserch how to manage speed
  • try using glass fible with undercoat on foam.
  • rotary club talk
  • fit the new motor, and need to make up tempreture sensor
  • get funds /sponsorship
2010-03-09

 

2010-03-16
  • Continue working on wheel covers
  • Wire up brakes
  • Check if the wheels lock up
  • Fit the motor
  • Possible test run?
  • Decide on "renovatio" stickers
  • Make amplifier for car horn.
2010-03-23
  • Fit brake discs to front wheels
  • continue with amplifier
  • Put rear sprocket on back wheel
  • Put heat sink grease on the motor to the mounting plate
  • Fit the Motor
  • Fit the chain/sprocket (on the motor)
  • Wire motor
  • connect front brakes
  • test brakes are balanced
  • glue thermostat sensor to the motor
2010-03-30
  • Fit the Motor
  • Fit the chain/sprocket (on the motor)
  • Wire motor
  • Adjust brakes
  • Add average speed software
2010-04-06  Easter Holiday
2010-04-13  Easter Holiday
2010-04-20
  • Safety checks
  • Test around tennis courts
  • Kit check
  • Pit-stop practice
  • Driver check/ logbooks/ overalls fit
2010-04-25 Coorporate Challendge
2010-04-27
  • Post race meeting.
  • Decide on work todo for rest of year.
  • Scaletrix night !
2010-05-04
  • Car horn PCB. (DD,GB + TB)
  • Aerodynamics testing. Get some ideas. Try new designs in VWT over following weeks. (GB, Anyone else? + TB)
  • Fix battery trolly.
  • Fix dodgy battery number sensor wire. (Anyone? + TB)
  • Build desulphation unit into box. (Drilling holes, bolting parts and soldering). (Anyone? + TB)
  • Sponsership letters, (Townsland trust ?)
  • Write up CC race report.
2010-05-11  
  • Car horn PCB. (DD + TB)
  • Aerodynamics testing. New Pro/Engineer RR8 model. Try new designs in VWT over following weeks. (GB, Anyone else? + TB)
  • Fix battery trolly.
  • Fix dodgy battery number sensor wire. (Anyone? + TB)
  • Build battery heater thermostats and fit into boxes. (Drilling holes, bolting parts and soldering). (TA,DB + TB)
  • Fit GPS Unit into car (JA, KA)
  • Weigh drivers.
  • Coating of car parts. (ST,IM)
  • Find GPS coordinates for Goowood/Castle Combe with directions (JA, KA)
  • Write up CC race report.
2010-05-18
  • Car horn PCB. (DD + TB)
  • Aerodynamics testing. New Pro/Engineer RR8 model. Try new designs in VWT over following weeks. (GB, Anyone else? + TB)
  • Rolling Resistances testsReduce steering bar length so drivers will fit.
  • Video
2010-05-25
  • Report on AeroDynamic improvements
  • Car horn PCB. (DD + TB)
  • Fit GPS Unit into car (JA, KA)
  • Weigh drivers.
  • Shorten steering joystick length
  • Fix dodgy battery number sensor wire. (Anyone? + TB)
2010-06-01  Holiday
2010-06-01

Terrys House

  • Shorten steering joystick length
  • Make new rear panels
2010-06-03

Martins House

  • Make new rear panels and finish off
2010-06-08
  • Driver area mods
  • New screen
  • Car horn PCB. (DD + TB)
  • Battery heaters, finish boxes and install into battery boxes
  • Fit Video Camera to car
  • GPS co-ordinates
2010-06-15  
  • Safety checks
  • Test around tennis courts
  • Kit check
  • Pit-stop practice
  • Driver check/ logbooks.
2010-06-20 Central Southern
2010-06-22
  • Car horn PCB. (DD + TB)
  • GPS aerial move
  • Banner, aerial
  • Better fitting of Video Camera to car
  • GPS co-ordinates, Castle Combe
2010-06-27 Castle Coombe
2010-06-29
  • Post race meeting
  • Roll investigation
  • Tilt tests
  • Check car over
  • Fix up car for Rolls Royce show
2010-07-06
  • No Greenpower at school
  • Scaletrx and BBQ
2010-07-13
  • Take out roll bar
  • Take off foam sides
  • Car horn
  • Aerodynamics, any body shape changes
  • Purchase plywood for new wheel covers
  • Choose wheel components
  • Cut out new foam fixing plywood panels
  • (If we have foam begin shaping it)
2010-07-20
  • Bend/weld roll-bar
  • Lace wheels
  • Start tightening wheels
  • Cut to shape foam sides
  • Fit plywood holding panels (60mm x 60mm x 6mm) to sides
  • Start to shape sides
  • Start making new wheel covers
  • Might need to lathe wheel centre bosses
  • Change steeing ratio
 

Summer Holidays

  • Build Wheels
  • Shape sides
  • Finish wheel covers
  • Paint sides
2010-09-07
  • Steering rod covers
  • The horn box thing is hanging ?
  • Fit all body panel screws
  • Roll bar needs fitting & plywood surround needs re-doing.
  • New rear rollbar strut.
  • Refit isolater switch
  • Check wheel dish against body sides
  • Cut out wheel covers
  • May need to alter the battery door supports
  • Measure wheel circuference and calculate gearing (Dusfold like circuit at 15 Amp).
  • Organise stickers needed.
 

Terrys/Martins house

  • Paint the foam
  • Glue wheel covers and paint
  • Fit wheel covers
2010-09-14
  • Refit Brake discs, drive gear and speedo magnet
  • Fit new rollbar aerofoils
  • Ariel needs mounting on the car
  • Driver talk on Merryfield
  • Fit stickers
  • Check car over
  • Test car
  • If possible, new behind head fairing and behind helmet foam
 

Terrys/Martins house

  • Fit wheel covers
  • Check car over
  • Set gearing
2010-09-19 Somerset Regional heat
2010-09-21
  • New Driver around tennis court driving.
  • Look for replacement batteries.
  • Rolling resistance test.
  • Round edges on steering plates and check for steering catching as reported by James.
  • Car horn.
  • Download Video Camera footage
  • Write up race report on web site.
2010-09-26 Dunsfold Park
2010-09-28
  • Clean car !
  • Rolling resistance test or Kojak tyres.
  • Check joystick position with all drivers. Might have to move joystick 3cm further forward.
  • Start making new behind head bit.
  • Work out gearing needed.
  • Car horn, re-glue box different speaker protection, separate batteries ?
  • Download Video Camera footage
  • Write up race report on web site.
2010-10-05
  • Move joystick 2cm ? further forward
  • Improve behind driver foam pad for smaller drivers
  • Remake behind head foam and rear fairing
  • Write up race report on web site.
  • New gear
2010-10-12
  • Drill and ream new 22 tooth cog.
  • Look at behind helmet foam.
  • Look at behind driver foam for smaller drivers and extra behind head foam.
  • Car horn wiring and foam suround.
  • Front wheel tracking
  • Steering cover plates
  • Stickers
  • Race tatics
 2010-10-17 National Final

Mid Season Ideas

Priority 1

  • Anaylse data logs from final and compare with CC. Look to see how gearing affected things etc.
  • Add GPS module to improve lap-timing accuracy for better average speed control. (JA + TB)
  • Investigate and Improve Aerodynamics. We need to gain 6% speed, most of this can come from aerodynamics. (GB)
  • Improve telemetry display on laptop and train younger members on how to use during a race. (Any takers + TB)
  • Increase the horn volume. Needs PCB designed and built. (GB,DD + TB)
  • Build battery desulphation units. We are going to have to make our batteries last the season if we can and we will be using these oldish batteries at the final. We need to put the desulpication unit in a box. (Any takers + TB)
  • Add themostats to new 12volt battery heaters. This will allow us to get the battries to a more even temperature (38 degrees ?) and provide us with more energy either for greater speed or if the speed limit rule is in place greater battery life. Need to make up 2x Maplin circuits and fit to heaters. (Any takers + TB)
  • Safety audit: Brake tests, Tilt test. (LT)
  • More sponsorship. (Townsland trust ??)
  • Seat belt fixing and adjustment for quicker pit stops. (LT)
  • Fix battery trolly
  • New chock.
  • Reduce steering bar length so drivers will fit.

Priority 2

  • Stabalise cars exterier. Coating with fibreglass tissue and resin or acrilic paint.
  • Paint car to design.
  • Consider printing on the overalls to improve our presentation / image. BM
  • Driver distress button.

Priority 3

  • Reversed and reduced throttle movement. Reversed as it reaaly goes the wrong way. Drill and fit grub screw at appropriate place. Fit smaller slider variable resistor. (TA)
  • Look at the seating arrangement. (LT)
  • Develop pc game. GB,DD
  • Consider having an adjustable steering column shaft that can be moved for the tall and shorter drivers. TA
  • Look at better tyres (e,g, durable, low rolling resistance, but better braking efficiency)
  • Make new battery trolly to match car height. LT

Ideas

  • Improve electronics, new motor speed controller.GB
  • Ear pieces / communication
  • Investigate other wheel sizes
  • make F24+ car from RR7

ToDecide

  • To use or not battery heating ?
  • Compete with 2 or 3 batteries ? (maybe depends on what other top cars do)

Start of season ideas

Ideas for improvements to existing car

Priority 1

  • More sponsorship - James has some ideas to pursue after his mock exams finish end of next week. JA,GB
  • New motor (Send to Greenpower to replace end plates)
  • Fix brakes. (Front suspension, frame alignment, brake pad chamfer, brake alignment) LT
  • Paint steel subframes / parts GB
  • Increase the horn volume GB
  • Colour scheme. GB,BM
  • Improve electronics, new motor speed controller.GB
  • Safety audit: Brake tests, Tilt test. LT
  • Consider printing on the overalls to improve our presentation / image. BM
  • Seat belt fixing and adjustment for quicker pit stops. LT

Priority 2

  • Investigate  / Improve Aerodynamics GB
  • Stabalise cars exterier.
  • Replace wheel coverings. TA
  • Telemetry aerial / stand  DD
  • Driver distress button.

Priority 3

  • Reduced throttle movement. Drill and fit grub screw at appropriate place. Fit smaller slider variable resistor. TA
  • Look at the seating arrangement LT
  • Develop pc game. GB,DD
  • Consider having an adjustable steering column shaft that can be moved for the tall and shorter drivers. TA
  • Look at better tyres (e,g, durable, low rolling resistance, but better braking efficiency)
  • Make new battery trolly to match car height. LT

New

  • Some for of speed control to limit average speed. (Computer, GPS ??)
  • Improve Telemetry display.
  • Test dodgy Batteries.
  • Build battery desulphation units. GB

Others

  • Banner TA,
  • Ear pieces / communication
  • Investigate other wheel sizes
  • make F24+ car from RR7

ToDecide

  • To use or not battery heating ?
  • Compete with 2 or 3 batteries ? (maybe depends on what other top cars do(GB))