HELIOX

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Besides a family and a job, everyone needs an interest in life, such as a good hobby.  For many this could mean golfing, collecting classic cars or stamps.  But for Dominic de Vries, the challenge that satisfies is taking on the SUN. Or rather,  "racing with the sun". Thanks to his family and friends who are very supportive of his sometimes unconventional ideas, he could realise his dream, without the family expecting big trophies from him!  Sounds too good to be true. NK

Heliox Tour de Sol 1990 (95kgs)

From 21-28 October 2007 the Panasonic World Solar Challenge - the most challenging race for solar racing cars in the world - will take place. The race crosses the Australian continent from the north to the south - over 3000 kilometers.

The event is was first organised in 1987 and achieved average speeds of more than 100 km / hour in 2005. A serious demonstration of the force of solar energy  the only energy source with a long-term future

Switzerland organised the first solar race ever in 1985 which started a real "solar - boom". Only two teams from Switzerland have ever participated in the World Solar Challenge - the successfull "Ingenieurschule Biel" in 1987-1993 and "Heliox" in 1993. Unfortunately, they did not pass the finish line due to technical problems and a short preparation period of only 3 months.  So they are having another try - to show that with standard solar components and vehicle-technology such a challenge can be successfully undertaken. That is of course the challenge.

Clear targets:

Two seats

Maximum vehicle construction costs of EUR 15000.00 (!)

Maximum weight of 100 kgs (withour driver/s)

Maximum 6 m2 of standard cells (WSC regulation)

Average speed of min. 50 km / h (WSC regulation)

THE TEAM...
 

Heliox are a family team:

Dominic      constructor, driver

Sabine       organisation, driver

Vincent      co - driver, construction

Sidney       fotos & support

....tbn        driver

....tbn        driver support vehicle

....tbn        technical support

....tbn        flexible and crazy enough to join us...

TEAM MEMBERS WANTED:

...and we need another few team members to join us - unfortunately we cannot offer money but a lot of adventure and a good time at one of the last real racing-challenges on this planet...

THE VEHICLE...

To avoid technical surprises and archieve our target, we only relay on standard products which are well tested. The vehicle and the components have to light and efficient. There will be a testing period of at least 12 months, starting in October 2006. All components are provided by reliable suppliers.

The main specifications are:

Lenght:  500 cm

Width:   120 cm

Hight:    100 cm

Weight:  100 kgs (without driver)

Speed:   average 55 km/h - max. 80 km/h

Dominic de Vries in Heliox 1989

SOLAR ARRAY

We will wait until End of 2006 to decide for the best cells available a the lowest price. We will only race on standard cells. The possible specification according to actualy available cells are:

 

Surface  6 m2

Efficiency  20% (Array 19%) = 1150 Watts

This is 25% more efficient than 1993.

Aluminium space frame

BATTERY

• Li-Ion batteries are available as standard components. We will drive with about 20 kgs battery

• at about 3 Kwh storage capacity. 4 times the values of 1993.

MOTOR

• The highest possible efficiency of the whole driving system (>90 %)

• DC - motor at 48 Volts / 1.5 KW (2 KW max)

• Low weight (<4 kgs)

• Standard product, optimised

VEHICLE

• 3 - wheels

• disc brakes

• 2 seats (!)

CONTACTS

www.sunbuy.ch/heliox - heliox@sunbuy.ch

+41 79 320 35 43

VEHICLE HISTORY

HELIOX 2 (1985)

Heliox 2 constructed for the first Solarrace of the world  - The TOUR DE SOL

started in Juni 1985 in Romanshorn in Switzerland (with more than 20000 specators) and ended after 400 km in Geneva.

The average speed of the vehicle was about 20 km / h and the race was driven on the normal roads in the traffic.

    Solar array    240 Watts (12% efficiency)

    Motor           DC Motor with max. 800 Watts

    Battery          Lead acid with 1.4 kw/h

    Speed           max. 40 km / h

HELIOX 6 (1989)

    Solar array    480 Watts (15% efficiency)

    Motor             Asynchronus Motor with max. 12000 Watts

    Battery          Lead acid with 2.4 KW/h

    Speed           max. 90 km / h

HELIOX 8

Vehicle Data

Weight                   130 kgs

Battery                   lead acid 65 kgs

Speed                    max. 60 km/h

                              average 38 km/h

Motor                    2 x 800 W AC  24 Volts (Efficiency 70%...)

The vehicle was constructed in 3 months time before the start of the race and was only tested for 500 meters.

Canadian Solar Discovery Challenge

Dream Cup Solar Car Race Suzuka 2003 - Japan

Japanese World Solar Car Rallye

North American Solar Challenge

Phaethon 2004

Solar Express - Solar Bike Race

Sunrayce

SunRace 2003 - Australia

World Solar Car Rally - Japan

World Solar Rallye - Japan

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