Electrek American Solar Challenge 2024 Regulations

Regulations

Official Interpretations

Please submit all questions regarding the regulations to ascregs@americansolarchallenge.org. Official interpretation of the race regulations will be posted here.

8.2.C.3 (Supplemental Batteries):

Clarified the requirement that the solar car is not allowed to operate without a functional supplemental battery. The updated wording for this regulation is posted below and this will be reflected in any future regulation revisions.

During a battery fault in which the BPS has automatically opened the Main Power Switch, the supplemental battery must be used to power the BPS, BPS Strobe, and BPS Fault Driver Indication. While in such a fault state, the supplemental battery may be used to power any other systems (signal lights, rear view camera, telemetry, etc) that do not provide motive power to the vehicle. In the event that there is a loss of supplemental battery power, the car must be parked and put into a Safe State (8.3.A.9 Safe State). The supplemental should be operational prior to returning to normal operation. At no time should a solar vehicle be allowed to operate without a working supplemental battery.

8.6.A.4 Main Power Switch:

Clarified the required positions for the high voltage battery pack isolation relays in the circuit and removed redundant wording regarding the Safe State definition since the safe state definition is covered in 8.3.A.9. The main fuse on the positive side of the battery pack is the only component that is allowed to be electrically connected before the isolation relays. The updated wording for this regulation is posted below and this will be reflected in any future regulation revisions.

In the off position, the main power switch must isolate the high voltage battery, motor, and array from each other and put the solar car in the ‘Safe State’. The high voltage battery pack isolation relays must be electrically located first in series after the battery negative terminal and second in series after the battery positive terminal with only the main fuse connected before it.

8.3.A.9 Safe State:

Clarified the definition of Safe State to isolate all external loads on the high voltage battery pack, not just current paths exiting the battery pack. It is not acceptable to power anything off the main high voltage battery pack while in safe state. The updated wording for this regulation is posted below and this will be reflected in any future regulation revisions.

A stable electric shut down condition where the high voltage battery pack is completely isolated from external current loads and all high voltage conductors exiting the battery enclosure are electrically disconnected.

Design Reference Material