Day 7: Chillicothe, MO to Salina, KS

 

Day 7: Chillicothe, MO to Salina, KS

Daily Mileage:
We started our journey in Chillicothe, Missouri, and ended in Salina, Kansas, covering a new team record of 282 miles.

Technical Issues:
The air temperatures soared above 100°F, putting significant stress on our motors and drivers. To mitigate this, we switched from a speed-based driving strategy to a power-based method. This adjustment allowed us to directly control the power output of the motors, which in turn helped manage the motor temperatures more effectively.

Weather Conditions:
The day was extremely hot, with temperatures exceeding 100°F. Despite the heat, we managed to navigate the roads effectively, thanks to our revised driving strategy and the resilience of our team. To keep our drivers cool, they wore iced-down vests, which significantly helped in coping with the extreme temperatures inside the car.

Solar Energy Collection:
We collected an impressive 9.3 kWh of solar energy, making it one of our most productive days in terms of energy collection.

Performance Metrics:
Switching to a power-based driving method helped us maintain motor efficiency and prevent overheating. This approach allowed us to maximize our mileage while keeping the vehicle's performance stable under extreme conditions.

Highlights and Obstacles:

• Highlight: Setting a new team record for daily mileage at 282 miles was a major achievement. This milestone showcased the effectiveness of our power-based driving strategy and the robustness of our vehicle's design.
• Obstacle: The extreme heat was a significant challenge, but our team's quick adaptation to the power-based driving strategy ensured we could continue our journey without major setbacks.

Overall, Day 7 was a testament to the team's technical acumen and the resilience of our solar car. Despite the high temperatures, we achieved a new record for mileage and successfully managed the stress on our motors through strategic adjustments. We're proud of the progress we've made and are excited to continue our journey westward.

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