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[[Category:Engr215 Introduction to Design]]
[[Category:Engr215 Introduction to Design]]
[[Category:Solar]]
[[Category:Six Rivers Charter School]]

Revision as of 22:56, 29 November 2018

Template:ENGR215inprogress

Abstract

The objective of this design project is to provide Six Rivers Charter School with a photovoltaic system capable of charging electronic devices while also serving as an educational device. The photovoltaic station will be used by students to charge their phones and provide education on solar power, energy efficiency and consumption. It will also be the focal point of a space for students to come together as a community.

INSERT IMAGE OF FINAL PRODUCT.

Background

Towards the beginning of the Fall 2018 semester, our team was tasked by Six Rivers Charter High School to create an educational photovoltaic system for their campus. Six Rivers Charter School is in Arcata, CA at 1720 M St. They are a small charter high school, who’s mission statement is: “Through communication, collaboration, and critical thinking, Six Rivers is a community that strengthens dependent learners into independent and interdependent learners. In valuing the whole student, Six Rivers provides opportunities for success within and beyond school” (Perry, 2016). They share the campus with Arcata High School, with whom they work with to provide their students with the full scope of classes needed to achieve a High School diploma (AHS, 2015). Ron Perry, the principle of Six Rivers Charter School, presented the criteria for our project on Friday, September 21. His main objective for the solar installation is to create a space for his students to come together as a community during school breaks, where they can charge their electronics and learn about solar power in a safe, relaxed environment. His main criteria for the actual station is that it needs to be durable, secure after hours, relatively low-cost and be as low maintenance as possible (Ron Perry, Interview, September 21, 2018). (ASK ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY GOES HERE)


Problem statement and criteria

The problem our team was tasked to solve was to invite use to a relatively unused part of Six Rivers' campus by creating and installing an educational photovoltaic system. To best determine how to solve this problem, IO Co. came up with a list of criteria and constraints. Criteria are specific elements of the project that can be judged subjectively to find the best solution to the problem at hand. Constrains are the parameters that the criteria must follow to ensure the client’s needs are addressed. After creating these two lists, our team then assigned weighted values (1-10, 10 being the most valued) to each criterion relative to their importance in the projects final design.


Criteria Constraints Weight
Safety Doesn't shock students or damage phones 10
Durability 2 year minimum lifespan 9
Education Provides basic knowledge of PV charging 9
Aesthetics Looks nice and invites use 7.5
Maintainability Serviceable by existing maintenance crew 6
Cost $400 maximum cost 2

With this information our team was able to decide upon a final project design.

Description of final project

This section describes the decided upon design from the criteria section and its application at Six Rivers Charter School. Subjects of interest include a description of the final product, cost analyses, as well as implementation and performance results.


Solution Description

The overall design can be described in four sections: 1) the solar array and its mounting system, 2) the structure of the retaining box, 3) the internal electronics and its connection to the external USBs, and 4) the educational and bulletin board display.


The Solar Array

The solar array utilized for this application is a three PV solar module system wired in parallel. Each panel is rated at 35 watts to produce a maximum combined power of 105 watts and a maximum voltage output of 18 volts. Mounting the solar array required the use of a frame constructed out of wood 2×4s and an assortment of nuts, bolts, and washers as shown in INSERT REFERENCE. (Talk about dimensions, height from the ground, angle from horizontal, mounting to the wall, conduit)

PICTURE 1: completed construction PICTURE 2: mounted to the outside wall at school


Retaining Box

(MEASUREMENTS NEEDED!/Nick needs to update) The base of the retaining box is constructed out of 2x5's with a (bathroom wood name) backplate. Inside the base is a vinyl liner stapled to the 2x5's to keep internal electrical components out of the elements. Around the rim of the base is weather stripping to create a watertight seal when the door is closed. Connected to the base with two hinges is a red balau framed acrylic door. PICTURE 1: completed construction PICTURE 2: mounted to the outside wall at school


Internal Electronics

The internal electronics of the Solar Bulletin Charger begins with the positive and negative leads being fed into the retaining box from the PV solar array. Before being wired to two marine grade dual USB ports, as shown in INSERT REFERENCE, a volt meter is wired in and mounted to the inside of the retaining box to be used for the educational display. (talk about fuse, maybe an on/off switch?) The reason this type of setup was chosen over one with a charge controller and battery is threefold: 1) it requires the least amount of maintenance with nothing needing to be turned on or off before or at the end of the day, 2) removing the charge controller, battery, and inverter reduces the chance and cost of future maintenance, and 3) it provides more efficiency of power by removing intermediate components while still being accessible to charge students’ phones at times of the day when they will be present.

PICTURE 3: circuit diagram

(talk about where everything is mounted, the connectors used)

PICTURE 4: completed internals


Educational and Bulletin Display

(Need to consult w/ Paulo)


Prototyping

Use a gallery of prototyping photos and lessons learned. (Need to consult w/ Paulo)


Costs

Use Help:Table_examples#Cost_Table.

Quantity Material Source Cost ($) Total ($)
3 35W solar panel Donated (SERC) 0.00 0.00
45 12 gauge wire (LENGTH) Ace Hardware (Arcata) 0.69 31.05
1 1/4" heat shrink Ace Hardware (Sunnybrae) 2.99 2.99
1 3/8" heat shrink Ace Hardware (Sunnybrae) 2.99 2.99
1 3/32" heat shrink Ace Hardware (Arcata) 3.39 3.99
1 dielectric grease Ace Hardware (Sunnybrae) 4.99 4.99
2 ring terminal Ace Hardware (Arcata) 3.99 7.98
1 female disconnect Ace Hardware (Arcata) 3.99 3.99
1 CONN WIRE 22-10 YEL Ace Hardware (Arcata) 2.29 2.29
1 wire nut 5-pack Ace Hardware (Arcata) 4.59 4.59
2 marine grade dual USB socket Amazon 19.44 38.88
1 LCD Meter Reader Amazon 18.99 18.99
1 24x30x0.100" acrylic sheet Ace Hardware (Arcata) 17.99 17.99
2 lockable draw catch 2-pack Ace Hardware (Arcata) 6.99 13.98
1 hinge 2-pack Ace Hardware (Arcata) 5.99 5.99
1 2x5" scrap wood (10') Donated (team member) 0.00 0.00
1 vinyl sheet (DIMENSIONS) Ace Hardware Arcata 5.99 5.99
1 outdoor furniture varnish Donated (team member) 0.00 0.00
1 wood caulking Donated (team member) 0.00 0.00
1 conduit (LENGTH) Donated (SRCHS staff) 0.00 0.00
3 2x4" pressure treated wood (LENGTH) Donated (SRCHS staff) 0.00 0.00
2 3/4x4" red balau decking (6') Almquist Lumber 12.00 24.00
Total Cost 187.79

Testing Results

(NEED TO CONSULT WITH ENTIRE TEAM)

How to build

(NEED TO CONSULT WITH ENTIRE TEAM)

Use Template:How_to


Maintenance

Introduce this maintenance section.

Schedule

Breakdown of maintenance tasks and how often to carry them out.

Daily
  • Turn the system on/off
  • Ensure the bulletin box is locked and sealed


Weekly
  • Check solar array and bulletin box for wear and tear
  • a weekly task


Monthly
  • Swap out bulleted information
  • a monthly task


Yearly
  • Clean the solar array.



As noticed
  • Replace rotted wood


Instructions

(NEED TO CONSULT WITH ENTIRE TEAM)

This is how to maintain. The step by step how to template {{How to}} is most likely best for this part.

File:Bpack bike trailer - demo 1.jpg
How to Do Something

Troubleshooting

(NEED TO CONSULT WITH ENTIRE TEAM)

This is only how to troubleshoot basic operation. For complex issues, the solution might just say contact ________. It should be a table in this format:

Problem Suggestion
Example issue Example solution or suggestion
Does not turn on Make sure it is plugged in
Another issue Et cetera

Discussion and next steps

(NEED TO CONSULT WITH ENTIRE TEAM)


Suggestions for future changes

This is where to lay out suggestions for how to make the project function better in the future. (NEED TO CONSULT WITH ENTIRE TEAM)


References

See Help:Footnotes for more. Template:Reflist

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