Course Project:Course Project:Solar Energy Powered BoatSolar Energy Powered Boat

University of Puerto Rico –MayagüezUniversity of Puerto Rico –MayagüezAgricultural and Biosystems EngineeringAgricultural and Biosystems EngineeringTMAG 4005 – Agricultural ElectrificationTMAG 4005 – Agricultural Electrification

22ndnd Semester 2005 - 06 Semester 2005 - 06

By: Jeremy Ramirez Torres802-03-6074

Team Members Team Members • From right to left:From right to left:

• Omayra OrtizOmayra Ortiz• Christian Christian

ColmenaresColmenares• Jeremy RamirezJeremy Ramirez

Model PictureModel PictureSolar Cells

Motor

Direction Control

Head Light

Propeller

Passenger Seat

• Soldering KitSoldering Kit• Electrical WiresElectrical Wires• Black TapeBlack Tape• Electrical PliersElectrical Pliers• Two Sided TapeTwo Sided Tape

Electrical Material ListElectrical Material List

Electrical MaterialsElectrical Materials

• Electrical Electrical MultimeterMultimeter

• Electrical SwitchElectrical Switch• Negative and Negative and

Positive Terminal Positive Terminal WiresWires

• 3v Lithium Battery3v Lithium Battery• Little Light BulbLittle Light Bulb

Mechanical Material ListMechanical Material List• PowerAde BottlesPowerAde Bottles• Freeze Chicken Foam Freeze Chicken Foam

basebase• Candy Egg CaseCandy Egg Case• Apple Juice Plastic Apple Juice Plastic

HandleHandle• Toy Boat Steering WheelToy Boat Steering Wheel• UHU and Silicon GlueUHU and Silicon Glue• Scissors, GrabsScissors, Grabs• Drill, little toy paddleDrill, little toy paddle• Spray Paint, Knife, Spray Paint, Knife,

ScrewScrew

Propeller Material ListPropeller Material List

• We did not build We did not build the propellerthe propeller

• We used a Motor We used a Motor with Toy Boat with Toy Boat Propeller Propeller

• Electrical Wires Electrical Wires

Electrical DiagramElectrical Diagram

Power RequirementsPower Requirements

VoltagVoltagee

(V)(V)

CurreCurrentnt

(A)(A)

Power Power RequiremRequirem

entent

TheoreticaTheoretical Valuel Value

1.101.10 0.180.18 Direct Direct SunlightSunlight

ExperimenExperimental Valuetal Value

0.9620.962 0.160.16 Direct Direct SunlightSunlight

VoltaVoltagege

(V)(V)

CurreCurrentnt

(A)(A)

Power Power RequiremeRequireme

ntsnts

TheoreticaTheoretical Valuel Value

-- -- 3 V 3 V Lithium Lithium BatteryBattery

ExperimenExperimental Valuetal Value

1.961.96 0.030.03 3 V 3 V Lithium Lithium BatteryBattery

Electrical Safety Electrical Safety ConsiderationsConsiderations

• Wires are secured Wires are secured with electrical with electrical black tape. black tape.

• Another special Another special tape was (blue tape was (blue tape) used in the tape) used in the base (foam) area base (foam) area where the wires where the wires where connected. where connected.

Mechanical Safety Mechanical Safety ConsiderationsConsiderations

• The boat was The boat was tested with excess tested with excess weight to prove weight to prove the function of the the function of the plastic bottles and plastic bottles and the buoyancythe buoyancy

• The foam material The foam material (base) is also (base) is also buoyant.buoyant.

Passenger Transport AreaPassenger Transport Area

• The passenger The passenger transport area was transport area was designed designed especially for the especially for the transportation of transportation of an egg so we used an egg so we used a candy egg shell a candy egg shell for the real egg for the real egg transportation transportation seat.seat.

Main ChallengesMain Challenges

• One of my main challenges was the One of my main challenges was the positioning of the solar cells, positioning of the solar cells, because for their proper functioning because for their proper functioning a specific angle was required. a specific angle was required.

• Another challenge was the weight Another challenge was the weight distribution of the boat, because for distribution of the boat, because for it to move properly the weight must it to move properly the weight must be distributed evenly. be distributed evenly.

Team OverviewTeam Overview

• Workload distribution: ExcellentWorkload distribution: Excellent• Member participation: ExcellentMember participation: Excellent• Model outcome: ExcellentModel outcome: Excellent

Project OverviewProject Overview

This project reached our expectations, This project reached our expectations, because we applied all our knowledge because we applied all our knowledge and the experience helped us in the use and the experience helped us in the use of solar cells for future use in our field of of solar cells for future use in our field of study.study.

During the development of the project During the development of the project there where many things that took us there where many things that took us some time to develop but through our some time to develop but through our knowledge acquired in class we where knowledge acquired in class we where able to beat the odds.able to beat the odds.

Final Comments Final Comments

• This experience was very important This experience was very important because it was something I always wanted because it was something I always wanted to do and never performed it because I to do and never performed it because I never had the proper guidance or never had the proper guidance or confidence to do such job but through this confidence to do such job but through this course I was given the opportunity to course I was given the opportunity to perform such task.perform such task.

• I strongly recommend this project as part of I strongly recommend this project as part of this course because it forces the students this course because it forces the students to apply everything learned in this course. to apply everything learned in this course.