Specifications

Oxygen and air reserves
The use of non-replaced oxygen or compressed air reserves is forbidden.
Super capacitors
If an embedded electric storage device is part of the power-train, it must be of
capacitor type, referred to hereafter as ‘Super Capacitor’. Other types of
embedded electric storage device (Pb, NiMh, etc. batteries) are forbidden.
• The state of charge of the super-capacitor will be checked before and after
each run by measuring the super-capacitor voltage.
• The voltage registered after the run must be at least equal to the voltage
registered before the run. In the event of the contrary, the super-capacitor
must be re-charged by running the fuel cell until their voltage is equal to the
voltage registered before the run. The additional time required to recharge
the super capacitor by running the fuel cell after the competition is added to
the recorded time of the relevant run
• The maximum super capacitor voltage must not exceed 48V.
External starter battery
• An external battery can be used on the starting line to start the fuel cell
system. As soon as the vehicle starts to move, this battery must be
unplugged.
• If an external battery is used, two connectors must be installed outside the
vehicle to allow a quick connection and fuel cell system start on the starting
line.
• As mentioned in Article 71 (bullet 4, batteries) it is mandatory to power the
hydrogen detector and the horn using the on board battery. This battery
must also power the emergency shutdown valve, relay and lighting system
for UrbanConcept vehicles.
Electrical circuit / Electronics
• All electrical / electronic cases must be made of transparent material or at
least have a transparent top.
• A fuse must be installed on the positive terminal of the fuel cell stack. Its
melting current (expressed in Amps) must be less than the active area
(expressed in square centimetres) of one cell of the stack. For instance, if
the active surface of one cell of a 20 cell stack is 60 cm², the melting current
of the fuse must not exceed 60A.
• On the super-capacitor, a fuse must be installed on the positive terminal of
the super-capacitors pack. Its melting current must be less than the electric
current that corresponds to an electric power of 300 W for prototypes and
1000 W for Urban Concept vehicles, assuming that the super-capacitors are
completely charged. For instance, on a prototype, if the super-capacitor pack
has a maximum voltage of 15 V, the fuse set point must not exceed
300W/15V = 20 A.
Other equipment
Compressors, fans and coolers for the fuel cell system must be powered by the
fuel cell or super capacitor (not by the onboard battery).
Article 80: Solar Powered Vehicles
Shell Eco-marathon ® Official Rules 2011 – Chapter 1
30
• All vehicles must be equipped with two joulemeters, one to measure the
electric motor energy consumption, the other one the solar panel energy
production. Stickers, “SOLAR PANEL” and “MOTOR” must identify the
two joulemeters.