I have seen (and heard) the future

[BobR]

I have seen the future, or is it the present?

I was flipping through the channels this morning and found this odd named show, E Formula, not knowing what is was I flipped it on and there was a bunch of formula type race cars whining around the track in Berlin. No high pitched growl of high revving gas engines, jut the whine of electric motors as they zip from one turn to the next. Along with the electric cars you could see the drone they were using for overhead shots in some of the long shots. The stands were packed so I guess for race fans, racing is racing. I was electrified at the thought of this becoming more the norm. I know they run an electric motorcycle race during the Isle of Man TT so electricity is coming to racing like a Seimens locomotive.

https://www.fiaformulae.com/

bob

[Hawkmoon]

I have always felt that part of the appeal (perhaps a large part) of motorsports racing is the sound of the engines at speed. Somehow, electric race cars whizzing along in near silence just doesn't do it for me.

[BobR]

I have always felt that part of the appeal (perhaps a large part) of motorsports racing is the sound of the engines at speed. Somehow, electric race cars whizzing along in near silence just doesn't do it for me.

Absolutely, whether the explosive power of a Funny Car blasting down the quarter mile, an F1 V6 turning at 14000rpm, or the sound of screaming Merlin V12 as it roars down the straight in front of the crowd, the whine of an electric motor will never replace those sounds for me.

bob

[WLJ]

Pit Stops would be kind of boring.
Car pulls in
Crew rushes to plug it in
Crew sits down and eats lunch for an hour.

[230RN]

Sound?

They could put playing cards in the spokes, no?

As I move from enormous two-terminal "dry cells" (approximately 3" diameter, 10" long) in 1940-1950:

              

As well as 22-1/2 and 67-1/2 volt "B" batteries for portable tube-operated radios, I am constantly amazed at the progress in energy density that has been made.

The thought of a modern drone flying up and down the California coast for at least 15 minutes to observe erosion boggles my mind, especially considering the drain on those motors and the distances involved.  Where did they squeeze in all them extra electrons?

I remember my brother's RC plane having only an escapement rudder control, with the escapement powered by a twisted rubber band.   One pulse, full left.  Two pulses full left and return to neutral.  Three pulses, left, neutral, right turn.  Four pulses, left, neutral, right, neutral.

All at 27.255 MHz

Today?  Proportional control on multiple channels way high up there in the spectrum is the norm.

So.  You've seen the future.  But keep today in your memory banks.

Terry

[Hawkmoon]

Sound?

They could put playing cards in the spokes, no?

Just get a bunch of SoundRacers, and set them to transmit to speakers located around the grandstands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9XAC-BvUyo

They have a V12 version, too.

[230RN]

^ WLJ.  Very funny, but

1.  I wish people would learn not to make vids in the wind... or figure out a way to pop filter their cameras.

2.  I wish people would learn to drive on the right side of the road, with appropriate cars.



Edited to add "WLJ" for clarity.

[lee n. field]

Pit Stops would be kind of boring.

Until something catches fire.

Car pulls in
Crew rushes to plug it in
Crew sits down and eats lunch for an hour.

[WLJ]

Until something catches fire.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 500

[HeroHog]

https://youtu.be/ATUSAjZPcos

[HeroHog]

https://newatlas.com/top-ev-electric-drag-racing-top-fuel/50741/

[HeroHog]

https://youtu.be/Ea4igN8Thtg

[230RN]

Yowsa, that was interesting !

Four thousand amps, 1000volts (if it will keep that under load)  = 4 million watts = 5362 hp.

That's over a mile's worth (5280) of power !  Grin.

Like I said, I'm constantly amazed at the energy densities nowadays.

How much are they borrowing from railroad power technology (diesel-electric locomotives) ?

Teach me, here?  Is there a new type of motor they're dealing with?  Are they "just" giant brushless DC motors?

Terry

[HeroHog]

Yes, diesel powered generators run electric motors on them. That's what I worked on in the Navy, Diesel Electric powered ship.

[230RN]

Yes, diesel powered generators run electric motors on them. That's what I worked on in the Navy, Diesel Electric powered ship.

AC or DC?  Brushed (mechanically commutated) or brushless DC, or what ?  

I've just begun to get curious about this stuff since I learned that ships and tugboats had rotatable propeller pods with big-assed electric motors (BAEMs).

Big stuff.  Not like the motor in my electric shaver, huh?

Terry

[Fly320s]

Pit Stops would be kind of boring.
Car pulls in
Crew rushes to plug it in
Crew sits down and eats lunch for an hour.

They do pit stops.  The drivers get into new, fully charged cars and keep racing.

[freakazoid]

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otlR05QZRrU

[MechAg94]

They do pit stops.  The drivers get into new, fully charged cars and keep racing.

If they weren't using a fuel cell of some type, I would assume there was some way of swapping out a big battery pack.  

Either way, racing would seem to be good way to push advancement with the technology and prove it is effective and durable.  

[Hawkmoon]

I found a Youtube video of one of the races. I was somewhat surprised to see that several of the cars were by major, well-known manufacturers. Just go to Youtube and search on either "Formula E" or E-prix"

[Fly320s]

I found a Youtube video of one of the races. I was somewhat surprised to see that several of the cars were by major, well-known manufacturers. Just go to Youtube and search on either "Formula E" or E-prix"

Well, sure.  Racing is expensive.  Only the major, well-known manufacturers can afford to sponsor a team.