YALE UNIVERSITY JOHN LEE RACING TEAM AND THE AUSTRALIAN AND AMERICAN WORLD SOLAR CHALLENGES

In May, 2004, Team Lux competed in the Phaethon 2004 solar car rally in Greece. Yale University finished in 7th place, immediately behind Team Aurora and Team Nuon, the winners of the 2003 World Solar Challenge. For race updates and pictures, please visit the Updates from Greece section.

Currently, Yale's efforts are focused towards modifying their car for competition in the 2005 North American Solar Challenge. NASC2005 will take place in July, 2005, on 2600 miles of public roads from Austin, TX to Calgary, Alberta. Check out the updates section.

Cell type: Spectrolab GaAs 23% avg eff
Cell coverage (active area): 88.58% (7.97m^2) (3051 cells)
Theoretical output: ~1900W (based on measured efficiency from SunWise Technologies)
Real world theoretical output: ~1833W Max power to date: 1410W

Type: 650 LG Chem Li Ion cells
Capacity: 60Ahr
Max current draw: 480A
Battery protection circuitry: Proprietary custom circuitry (Worley circuitry available as backup)

Type: Titanium/Carbon fiber space frame
Front suspension: Aircraft style telescoping upright with Bridgestone Ecopia on an NGM aluminum rim. (single shear)
Rear suspension: Aluminum trailing arm with Bridgestone Ecopia tire on NGM aluminum rims (rear left wheel is driven by NGM motor). (single shear)

Specs:

Array: 17% eff. monocrystalline silicon cells - 800W
Batteries: 8 12V deep cycle lead-acid Optima batteries
Drivetrain: 1999 NGM in wheel motor driving NGM Al rims w/ Bridgestone Ecopia tires
Frame: Aluminum space frame
Body: Carbon fiber lower shell; Kevlar upper shell
Suspension: 4 wheel double wishbone front suspension with trailing rear suspension
Race Weight: 800lbs. (364kg)

Lux Millenia served as a testbed for the technologies that would eventually evolve into the John Lee (JL). LM provided valuable experience in composite and mold design and manufacture as well as a proving ground for new electrical systems. Most importantly, most of the LM team became the JL team, keeping the valuable knowledge we gleaned from LM in our collective mind's eye.

While LM has never raced, it has made appearances at events such as Ecofest and at local highschools. It also was no stranger to the race track. In May of 2002, LM was put to the test at Summit Point Raceway in West Virginia where it was put through two days of track testing.

Specs:

Array: 13.5% efficient laser cut monocrystalline silicon cells
Batteries: 8 12V lead acid batteries - 96V nominal bus voltage
Drivetrain: 1999 NGM in wheel motor driving NGM Al rims w/ Bridgestone Ecopia tires
Frame: Aluminum space frame
Body: Carbon fiber lower shell; Kevlar upper shell
Suspension: 4 wheel double wishbone front suspension with trailing rear suspension
Race Weight: 750lbs. (340kg)

Created in 1999, Lux Perpetua, Yale's second solar venture, has competed in Formulasun and Sunrayce '99, taking 15th place out of a field of 55 in Sunrayce. LP has also made appearances at various alternative energy events around the country including at Epcot center in Disney World and at the US capitol in Washington DC.

Specs:

Array:
Batteries: 8 12V lead acids - 96V nominal bus voltage
Drivetrain: NGM '97 motor driving standard dragster rim with goodyear tires.
Frame: Aluminum-ceramic matrix space frame
Body:
Suspension: 3 wheel double wishbone front suspension with trailing rear suspension
Race Weight: 1200lbs. (544kg)