Update 3: Getting ready for Pre-Scrutineering

Welding Progress

We have made significant progress with our welding. A professional—an ex-student of the school—came in to help set up our welder and gave us a lesson on proper techniques. This hands-on guidance has greatly improved the quality of our welds.

Website Launch

Our website is now live! After coding it from scratch using VS Code, we are excited to share it with everyone. You can visit it here: https://www.popemobile.co.nz/. We will be using this platform to keep everyone updated on our progress and share key information about our project.

Accommodation for Competition

With the competition taking place in Christchurch and having an early start, we have secured accommodation for both Friday and Saturday night. This arrangement not only prepares us in case of any delays but also ensures the safety of the team members driving up, as they will be well-rested and traveling during daylight hours.

Go-Kart Frame Pickup

This Wednesday, one of our team members will be picking up a go-kart frame from Christchurch, as they will already be in the area. This marks another significant step in our build process.

Battery Design & Orders

We have successfully ordered all of the cells required for our custom battery. We are now in the process of designing the casing that will house the battery, ensuring it is both efficient and safe for the competition.

Update 2: Advancing the Build

Welding & Frame Construction

As we continue to refine our welding techniques, we’re getting closer to making a final decision on the frame. The choice between modifying a premade frame and building one from scratch is still on the table, but we’re making progress in evaluating the best option based on our project timeline and goals.

Powertrain Development

Our team has successfully powered up the motor and motor controller with temporary batteries, laying the groundwork for the integration of our custom-built battery pack. This initial setup allows us to start testing and making adjustments to ensure that our go-kart will perform at its best when we switch to the final battery configuration.

Website Development

We’ve also made strides in developing our project website, which will serve as a hub for sharing updates and documenting our journey. This site will be a key tool for keeping our supporters informed and engaged as we approach the competition.

Next Steps

Looking ahead, our focus remains on refining the powertrain and finalizing our frame choice. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our exciting journey.

Update 1: Laying the Foundation

Welding & Frame Construction

We’ve begun one of the most critical aspects of our project: preparing the welding equipment and learning to weld with precision. After acquiring a high-quality TIG welder, we focused on mastering the necessary skills to construct a sturdy and lightweight frame. Our current task is deciding whether to modify a premade go-kart frame or build our own from scratch using aluminum. This decision is crucial, as it will determine how we allocate our time and resources moving forward.