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Release B
8.2.C Supplemental Batteries
8.2.C.1 Supplemental, replaceable batteries carried in the solar car may be used to power: Main Power
Switch, radios, commercially available electronic panel meters with internal batteries, cell phones, driver
ventilation fans (if solely used for driver ventilation), telemetry, and the horn. All other systems present on the car
must be powered off the main battery.
8.2.C.2 Supplemental battery power may be used to momentarily power the battery protection system
(BPS) as defined by Reg. 8.3 to verify safe battery parameters before energizing the Main Power Switch.
8.2.C.3 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.
8.3
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Protection Circuitry
All batteries must have protection circuitry appropriate for the battery technology used. Proof is required at Scrutineering that the protection system is functional and meets manufacturer’s specifications. Testing procedures will be provided, and the protection system design should allow for such testing. All protection circuitry should be contained in the battery enclosures per Reg. 8.4.
8.4 Battery Enclosures
All registered and sealed battery modules, supplemental batteries, battery protection circuitry per Reg. 8.3, and main fuses per Reg. 8.5 must be fully contained in enclosures that are electrically isolated from the solar car. The enclosures must be constructed from non-conductive, electrolyte-resistant material. No more than two separate such enclosures may be used for the main and supplemental batteries.
8.4.A Isolation
The resistance measured between the battery terminals and any portion of the solar car chassis shall be greater than 1 M for applied potentials up to 500 V.
8.4.B Mounting
The battery enclosures must be secured to the solar car chassis so as to prevent them or the modules within from coming loose in the event of an accident or rollover. Nylon luggage type buckles are not acceptable means of securing the battery enclosure.
8.4.C Marking
The top of each battery enclosure must be marked using letters at least 10mm high with “Caution: Chemical Hazard” and “High Voltage” and any other standard hazard markings specific to the type of battery enclosed. The type (i.e. Li-ion) of the battery must be marked on the top of the battery enclosures(s) in 10 mm high letters.
8.4.D Ventilation
Battery enclosures may be equipped with a forced ventilation system. Such ventilation systems must pull exhaust to the exterior of the solar car and must be directly connected to the exterior of the vehicle away from any airstream that may reach the driver. The ventilation system shall be powered by the battery system. Provisions should be made to power this fan from the Supplemental battery in the event of a Battery Protection Fault.
8.4.E External Cooling
External supplementary cooling of the battery pack is not permitted beyond the ventilation requirements listed in Reg.
8.4.D
unless the external cooling is powered by the main battery pack and is physically contained and secured to the solar car, or in an emergency situation.
8.4.F Security
To preclude unauthorized access to the battery/enclosure, a seal will be placed to indicate contravention of this regulation. Provisions shall be made to seal the battery/enclosure by the team. Should access to a “sealed” battery/enclosure be needed, the team needs to inform an Official of their intent to access the battery/enclosure, and request the Official to log the activity and retain the seal. Battery exchanges will not occur during the Event without Inspector support.