UC Electrical and
Computer Engineering
The way of the Future
Electric Go-Karts
The exciting way to learn
power electronics
Project-Based
Electric Go-Kart
Power Control Project Education
SPEED IS KEY! Engineering learning at its
best. In this 4th year Power Electronics
course project you get to design, build,
and test power controllers for our
electric go-karts. At the conclusion
of the project you get to race the gokarts – a fantastic event for the whole
class. You get the option to have this
experience this by doing a degree in
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
or Mechatronics Engineering.
Getting to “do” is far better than just
learning “how” when studying practical
subjects. The Department of Electrical
and Computer Engineering prides
itself on having engaging projects for
many of its courses covering subjects
such as Power Electronics, Smart
Electronics (known as Embedded
Systems), Control Engineering, Image
and Signal Processing, Communications,
Nanotechnology, and Power Systems.
Technical Details
Power Source:
8x 3.3V LiFeYPO4
100Ah batteries
Motor:
24V, 3kW cont. (7kW
peak), brushed
Permanent Magnet DC
These go-karts have also been
used as the platform for multiple
power electronics, mechatronics,
computer engineering, and
automation research projects.
Control Strategy: Synchronous Power
MOSFET Chopper
Control Inputs:
Accelerator
potentiometer
Brake pedal switch
Emergency trip button
Feedback Signal: Motor current sensor
www.elec.canterbury.ac.nz
ENGINEERING