Volume 22 – Number 2 – January 2014
An IEEE/PELS EventIf you are planning to enter in 2014, drop us a note now (hq@solarsplash.com) so we can get the ‘contacts’ between us in place and to get your team listed/linked on the website as preparing a boat for the 2014 Splash!
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Splash Headquarters Address and Contact Point is:
Dr. Jeffrey Morehouse
309 Newridge Road
Lexington, SC, USA 29072
tel: 803-920-9231
email: hq@solarsplash.com
Early Application Deadline is Almost Here (Monday, January 13th)!
The early fee is $400 if you get your entry form in by January 13, but the entry fee increases to $500 if you enter after that date and before the cut-off date for entries on April 28, 2014. You need to go to the website (www.solarsplash.com) to find the Entry Form for the competition.
Again, getting the entry form to Headquarters is critical for meeting the dates, not when the check arrives! [However, sending the entry form in promises that you will pay the fee — and the fee is non-refundable after the entry form has been submitted!!]
Reminder: Major Rule Change Occurring This Year Which Could Cause Team Energy Management Changes!
A major Rule change is being made for 2014. This Rule change is being called the only two sets of batteries rule (Rule 7.4.1), which means that only two sets (instead of the previous four sets) of lead-acid batteries will be allowed. The weight limit for each of the two sets will be the previous heavier (Sprint) value of 100 pounds/45.5 kilograms per set. As before, only one set of batteries will be allowed in any run during any event.
This Rule change is being made to challenge teams energy management planning and execution. Reducing the number of battery sets to two reduces the stored energy able to be brought into the Splash, thus requiring more management of the stored energy during the event, especially management of the recharging of the batteries. On the ‘plus’ side of this Rule change, only one size of battery pack will be needed, and the Endurance configuration will now allow a greater battery weight. This Rule change can be seen in the 2014 Rules (Rule 7.4.1) as posted on the Splash website.
Major Revisions Have Been Made to the Required Technical Report Format
Three major revisions are being implemented in the format for your Technical Report which is to be electronically submitted to Splash Headquarters no later than Monday, May 5th. These revisions include:
- Putting more grading weight on the Executive Summary;
- The main body of the report, limited to 20 pages, will now be organized by subsystem reporting, emphasizing your new designs being implemented this current year; and
- A fourth required Appendix D is to be added which provides your team roster and limited information on each team member.
The complete details of the Technical Reports required format can be accessed via the Solar Splash website (www.solarsplash.com) menu by clicking Technical Report Information and then clicking Solar Splash Technical Report Guidelines.
Captain Solar Answers Questions
Captain Solar’s questions and answers arise from team questions that are sent in to Splash Headquarters and are seen as information many teams might need to know.
Question: We noticed in the first Newsletter for 2014 that there is a rule change regarding the number of sets of batteries (only two sets for the competition). What if we dont get enough time to fully charge our batteries between events?
Answer: The new Rule (7.4.1) limiting the number of sets of batteries is intended to create more of an energy management challenge in the competition. If solar conditions are not ideal, you may have to decide how much to deplete your batteries in one event so that the batteries will be ready for the next event. Efficient charging of batteries on shore and on the boat becomes a more significant part of the competition. Perhaps a team member could be designated energy czar.