RC Electric's Progress

Tyler Poindexter
Holly Perkins

White Papers:

We are currently updating the dates and expectations for further work on the vehicle and the acquiring of the GM Grant and the Wells Fargo Grant. We will have the new White Papers complete within the next week or two and apply them to the grants and plan on sending out the Grant proposals once they are edited and complete.

Grants:

GM Grant - We are currently consulting with Development in order to help modify the GM Grant proposal. We will meet with them until we have a solid Grant proposal and move towards sending it out for our $20,000. This particular grant will put us in line to finish much of what is seeking attention (interior, exterior, mechanics, etc).

Wells Fargo - We are currently waiting on contact back form the Branch Manager over at Wells Fargo in compliance with her contact with their National Marketing Department. We have left all of our information and our previous White Pages so that they can get a feel of what all is required in order to make noticeable progress on the conversion. We are continuing to stay in contact with them in order to seek proper approval of the Grant.

Exterior:

We are currently in contact with Jamestown Electro Plating in order to consult with them to acquire our chrome parts, so that we can finish off the exterior trim. Other than the chrome parts the running boards are set to be installed soon.

Interior:

We are set to install the headliner, front seat, and door panels. The back seat is currently being upholstered and will be waiting installment.

Mechanics:

Currently we are consulting with Officer Pruitt in order to install the disk breaks. we are just waiting on a time and place that we can set up an appointment to complete the break installment.

Funding:

We will be talking with Development in order to set up contact with Alumni Relation. By setting this up we hope to set up a Paypal account to make progress towards Alumni Donations. 

Progress on EC Tree Planting Project

The tree planting project is moving along and we seem to be making a good amount of progress. Last Friday our group and Dr.Cawley were able to meet with David Wiseman and Bill Martin, the manager of the grounds crew. We established that our goal for this semester will be to plant 6-10 cedar, 7-10 American Chestnut, and 10 cherry trees.We also decided that we need to create a GIS map of the existing trees, which will be presented to the board of the college in approximately two weeks.

Today, Travis and I went to the City of Salem Engineering Department.They were able to give us data to make our GIS map. We then went to talk to Dr. O'Neill. She teaches the GIS class for the environment program and will be a big help in this step of the project. After looking at the data  we decided that it would be best to mark the trees that are visable from the arial images. We will then do a walk through of EC and make any necessary corrections. We will need to put in a signifigant amount of time to make the map, but I believe we will be able to have it completed in time for the board meeting.

Elizabeth Campus Planting

On Friday four members, Carrie Carson, Clare Lloyd Owen, Travis McDaniels, and Phil Simpson, of the environmental capstone course met with David Wiseman who is heading RCsustain's effort on the Elizabeth Campus tree planting  project. The goal of the project is to establish a nursery of cherry trees as well as a long term landscaping plan.  The long term goal of the school is to establish 60 trees on Elizabeth Campus over 5-7 years. Our class will focus primarily on the cherry tree portion.

During the meeting we reviewed the initial map indicating the initial ideas. Moving forward we will be meeting with Bill Martin, head of grounds crew and collaborating with Dr. O'Neill to figure out the best method to map the trees using GPS.

Roanoke College and Transition Staunton

The Envi400 class is looking to reestablish contact with the Transition Staunton organization from last semester and begin talking about trip dates to Staunton as well as what we will focus our efforts on during our time there.

In addition we are working on retrieving the photographs from the INQ300 trip. Once obtained try will be moved to the Dropbox

RC Electric

RC Electric
Tyler Poindexter
Holly Perkins

Grants:
GM Grant- Met with Grant Proffessional Ed Hamilton in regards to help revise the new 2013 GM grant. Further Meetings will conclude a new draft to be re-submitted.

Wells Fargo- Met over at local Wells Fargo to set up meeting to apply for a possible Community Grant to support the car. Left contact and White-paper for Branch Manager to review and consult with the National Marketing Branch.

Progress:
Interior is underway with the front seat upholstered and ready to be installed along the headliner. We will be setting up a time with Joe Connor to go down and work on the interior. We are still waiting on the chrome to be returned and the running boards to be installed.

Last Day with Electro Automotive

So today was my last day with Mike and Shari disassembling the VW 'VoltsRabbit'.  We removed the lead acid battery storage cases, all the extra wiring for the motor and controller, both wheels and front axels because they mount to the transmission, the wiring snake that runs to the rear batteries and charger, the DC electric motor and transmission.  So the car full of batteries that I posted a picture of the other day now looks like this...

After removing the motor and transmission, we proceeded to take the Rabbits transmission apart. We did this because one problem that we have is generating the adapter plate made to mount the electric motor to our transmission since our bell housing is enclosed.  By doing this, Mike was able to show me how to make the appropriate measurement in order to have the adapter plate produced and I will be sending him that information as soon as I get home.  Immediately afterwards I will be sending them the transmission.  He will then be able to make an adapter plate (all the components in the picture) that will look something like this...

While I was here I learned many things about the conversion, and what steps need to be taken to have this be successful.  My list for how the future students need to do this is:

1. READ the CONVERT IT manual... believe me I'm going to need to as well

2. PLAN where all the components will go... space may be an issue in our car if we use lead acid batteries

3. PRECISION and PATIENCE are going to be key... there's so much going on that we will have to make sure to get everything right or else we could have big problems

4. CONTACT Shari and Mike... they're here to help us be successful and make the '39 turn heads (or contact me, but I promise you they will be of more help with the components and conversion)

5. PROMOTE the project... we want Mike and Shari to come perform a workshop for RC in the valley so do your part... also as most of you know we need more support and sponsors so don't be afraid to email someone about helping out, who knows where it may take you... (I'm in California if you haven't noticed yet, and I've been in contact with some important people and companies like Phil Conserva, Trexa, and a couple others...)

6. READ the manual again... it'll help out a maybe a little bit... oh and there are some DVD's too, but read the book 

On another note for the Silver Streak the breaking news I had yesterday is actually quite interesting... This is because the lithium batteries work well with AC motors and kits, and we had originally planned to use the DC Medium kit, but Shari informed me today that there is a new AC controller and motor kit that they are about to begin selling as a conversion and it's not too much more than the kit we were planning on buying... The AC kit will give us easier use with the Trexa battery pack, and may have a little bit more range and higher top end speed and be able to handle a heavier weight bearing load.. But that is something the new group along with Doc needs to chat about and figure out..(personally I think the AC kit may be a better buy and is more of what the college is looking for especially with the battery pack)... But that's all a little food for thought

Finally I want to personally thank Mike and Shari for having me out here in California! I've had a great time, eaten some good food, and gotten to know two very dedicated, hardworking, and intelligent people! I don't think I can thank them enough for the opportunity to visit.  Everyone involved with RC Electric and Roanoke College owes them a thank you and you can email them at: electro@cruzio.com.  If anyone has any questions about my trip or want pictures you can get in touch with me on facebook or email me at nageorges@mail.roanoke.edu.  

Day 2 with Electro Automotive

Hey guys, I hope everyone is doing well! As for me today, I helped Mike break down their Volkswagen Rabbit model car.  

We started by removing all sixteen batteries, each weighing in around 76 pounds.  

Next we removed several components of the conversion, such as: power braking system, battery inter-cooling fan, the battery charging controller, the controller, the pot box, the DC/DC converter, all the battery interconnects, and other various wires. 

When we were done, this is what was left in the front of the car... So there is a little bit more left to finish up tomorrow..

But now for the news... As most of you know, Phil Conserva (the producer of CSI) was our commencement speaker, and he is big into electric cars.. He is affiliated with Trexa, which makes driving platforms for smaller vehicles (google them and watch the video, it's worth it) and he was able to get me in contact with their CEO.. and they saw some pictures of our project online and they are willing to help us by getting us a battery pack at cost, which is great, but also leaves some more questions to be answered with how will the system work with the medium kit from Electro Automotive.. So I'm working on that while I'm here too! I'd love to go see their shop, but I don't think I'll have time to visit it unfortunately... 

Stayed tuned for more updates and pictures of the disassembled Rabbit!