14 replies to this topic

[Dan Matarazzo]

Hello,

Can anyone give me an estimate for the voltage and amperage (I guess the running amperage) for a 1/24 and 1/32 car?

I'm trying to find a solar panel that could handle the power draw of a 1/24 (or 1/32) track with at least 4 cars. This is in reference to my previous post about a solar powered slot car exhibit. We are currently trying to order the parts to build a prototype.

I was thinking about using the Carrera track, since it can handle both scales.

Thank you,
Dan

I'm not very good with electricity terminology, so if I made a mistake please feel free to correct me.

[Hworth08]

To size the panel it must be asked if you intend to ever race at night.

Otherwise a slot car (each) needs 12 to 18 volts and one amp for the lowest-powered home cars. Commercial track cars vary around 14 volts and five to 20 amps each.

[Dan Matarazzo]

Thanks, Don! We are actually planning to have the panels and track indoors, with user-controlled lighting to power the track. I think for the visual impact of the exhibit 1/24 scale is best, but the power draw may be too much.

If anyone has some experience trying to run a track off a solar panel (indoors or outdoors) I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thank you,

Dan

[JohnnySlotcar]

If you are running the Carrera type cars, 2 amps per lane should be sufficient.

[James Wendel]

There must be something that I am missing here... indoor solar panels?

Maybe you should plan on some indoor wind generators for backup power.

[Dan Matarazzo]

Thanks, John.

James, it's been done before. The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has a small setup running indoors off of a solar panel. As long as you have the right lights with the proper focal points you can generate a good amount of energy. If we need to double up on panels then we will.

The main goal is the interactive component of seeing how these panels can run something fun and exciting.

[Hworth08]

The indoor panels I suppose are to demostrate what CAN be done. As of today the slot cars would be coal, natural gas, nuclear, or hydro powered. But if solar is ever to be used as a power source it must be researched.

Who would have believed corn would be supplying almost 10 percent of our gasoline today a few years ago? An acre of corn produces about 450 gallons of alcohol or the energy of 225 gallons of BTU dense gasoline. An acre of corn when used as fuel is actually a solar collector that only "catches" about three percent of the sun's energy.

[Ramcatlarry]

Since the only practical 1/24 scale cars for your application would be Carrera type, Consider 2 to 5 amps per lane. Carrera Corp in their "infinite wisdom" has chosen to power their car and track systems at 18 Volts DC (100-200 Watts) as opposed to the worldwide slot car industry standard of automotive battery 12 VDC (actual 13-14 VDC). Competitive 1/24 commercial tracks CAN be built with the most expensive and fastest motors... I have seen 40 amp draw at 14 volts per lane on these cars.

An alternative to the plastic cars is the Falcon class motor commercial car which draws about the same as the Carrera and significantly out-performs them and are totally rebuildable from components.

[James Wendel]

But if solar is ever to be used as a power source it must be researched.

IF???
The future is now. Wake up and smell the photons.

Solar power plants in the Mojave Desert

Dan:
Sorry about poking fun at indoor solar panels. It just seems inherently silly, like pumping water into a tower so that you can generate power when you release it... or like using petroleum products to plow, plant, fertilize, harvest, transport, and distill corn into ethanol... to use as a petroleum substitute. Silly

(Oops, I left out herbicides and insecticides.)

[Hworth08]

James,

I've got hand-held calculators I bought in the '70s, that's about all that sunlight can power in Tennessee, though some ten acre solar farms are being tried.

And what fertilizer is produced from petroleum? Nitrogen from natural gas, yes, but natural gas is not a petroleum product.

[James Wendel]

Wiki: "In its strictest sense, petroleum includes only crude oil, but in common usage it includes all liquid, gaseous, and solid (e.g., paraffin) hydrocarbons."

Okay, you got me. I should have said "fossil fuels" rather than "petroleum', but my point is still valid.

[Phil Smith]

I don't imagine Dan intends for the cars to go fast. They just need to move and not deslot. I don't think it will take much voltage or amperage to accomplish that.

[Zeekester]

Some people will do anything to avoid buying track time.

Just Google on "how to wire a slot car track" if you want to know the amperage and voltage on tracks.

My track is set at 3 amps per lane, 13.8v power supply.

Cost? $56.00.

[Cheater]

Yeah, Larry, but Dan is working on a museum display regarding solar power, so cheap and easy isn't really relevant.

[Hworth08]

Larry,

Hopefully not, but at $56 a good portion of the current being delivered to your track might be AC.