Vehicle Mass

[shrewdPanther46]

Hi guys.

I was wondering what the mass of everyone's cars came out to. I received all of my parts and am getting ready to put the vehicle together. I was wondering what everyone's masses were like and what I should target.

[retired1]

You go for the lightest weight possible because it has a major effect on speed.
Most people will go with rechargeable batteries which unfortunately weigh more than alkaline and probably will weigh more than the rest of the buggy.

[cheese]

I went sturdy over lightness, so mine came in around 800g.

[shrewdPanther46]

are you using a 6v motor? Mine with a 6V motor and 5 batteries came out to only around 500 grams (with a wooden chassis)

[Almandine]

Did you know that killing your battery buggy will make its spirit ascend, making it lighter?
I tried this, and my buggy went from 400g to only 325g

[cheese]

are you using a 6v motor? Mine with a 6V motor and 5 batteries came out to only around 500 grams (with a wooden chassis)

I am using a 9v motor, more torque = more speed, and overcomes the weight.

[shrewdPanther46]

You can try the set up out, but just saying speed and torque are generally inversely related... but you will get more power directly out of your motor. But that will most definitely not translate to speed in your vehicle.

are you using a 6v motor? Mine with a 6V motor and 5 batteries came out to only around 500 grams (with a wooden chassis)

I am using a 9v motor, more torque = more speed, and overcomes the weight.

[retired1]

1st buggy. 556 g with 5 NiMH batteries. 1/2" 90 degree aluminum frame line drilled and bolted. Went the .5 to 8.5 m in 3 to 4 seconds. 4 mm axles. Banebot shore 30 wheels. Spins tires for about .3 m. Polou 25D motor 460 rpm. About 2:1 transmission gear set up.I can make a modest change in the gears which should reduce spinning and go a bit faster.
Next buggy will be hard balsa using plastic bushings. Hope to drop the weight to 400 + g range. Will do a significant change in gear ratio.

Careless today. Steering changed a bit from all of the handling and the buggy went down the stairwell. Bent the front axle. Can remove and straighten but simpler to use new rod.

[shrewdPanther46]

1st buggy. 556 g with 5 NiMH batteries. 1/2" 90 degree aluminum frame line drilled and bolted. Went the .5 to 8.5 m in 3 to 4 seconds. 4 mm axles. Banebot shore 30 wheels. Spins tires for about .3 m. Polou 25D motor 460 rpm. About 2:1 transmission gear set up.I can make a modest change in the gears which should reduce spinning and go a bit faster.
Next buggy will be hard balsa using plastic bushings. Hope to drop the weight to 400 + g range. Will do a significant change in gear ratio.

Careless today. Steering changed a bit from all of the handling and the buggy went down the stairwell. Bent the front axle. Can remove and straighten but simpler to use new rod.

average accuracy?