Formula Student

Class 1A Rules Committee has stated the following:

For Class 1A, the following procedure is proposed to determine the battery capacity and the battery energy / CO2 that is used during the endurance event:

Each team must provide two graphs in advance of the event for their battery; SOC against terminal voltage and Energy (kwh) against SOC. This will allow the Class 1A rules committee to map from the terminal voltage of the battery through to how much energy from the grid is required to replenish the battery.

These are required in advance in case they are using a particular battery chemistry that has a stiff voltage (i.e.: does not change too much with SOC, if that happens then we need to think of something specific for that team). In order to get a true picture of the battery, we would need to measure the battery terminal voltage first thing in the morning, just before the endurance event and then as late after the endurance event as possible.

This should compensate for any deviations due to internal stresses in the battery.  In the morning the battery must be fully charged or at least at the same SOC as they intend to start the race. Based on the difference between the voltage at the end of the event and the average of the two proceeding voltage readings we will estimate the energy contribution of the battery.

In the case of hybrids ICE+battery, is it is common that is this reading is within 5% then no penality is applied. This is the energy valve that we will use the DEFRA figures to quote C02 for.

Please supply this information by the end of June (earlier if possible). Please note that the Class 1A committee may chose to check the voltage vs. energy at the event if deemed appropriate.

Also please note that it is our attention that Class 1A vehicles running high voltage systems also comply to the following regulation, although a different strobe light can be used as long as it is clearly visible in daylight.

3.1.5 Warning Strobe Light
There must be an amber strobe light compliant with SAE Standard J1318 Class 3 (Federal Signals Renegade(r), Star Warning Systems 200Z or equivalent) mounted on the highest point on the roll bar, that will indicate when a vehicle is energized. Energized is defined as any time a High Voltage exists outside the accumulator containers.

Any feedback or questions on the Class 1 (A) rules should be made to fsrules@imeche.org