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    2/11/11-Day Forteen

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    We started out Green Tech on Friday by going over things that needed to be done in the Energy Lab like cleaning the computers and ipads. Then, we sent out our energy audit updates for our cottages while Dr. Bill went over things with everyones individual groups. Dr. Bill talked to Lucas and I about learning how the audimation system for the building works. After we were done talking in the conference room, Lucas and I measured the resistance of the iBoat motor using a VOM.

    Resistance:
    • To measure the resistance you touch VOM wires to the motors +/- wires.
    • Motor is moving forward:
    -Set at 5: 0.6 Ω
    -Set at 1: 1.5 Ω
    • Motor Voltage=12V
    • Calculate the max resistance:
    -12V=I * 0.6 (I=current)
    -Max resistance=20V

    Cottage 5:
    kWh used this month: 73.6 kWh
    Predicted kWh usage this month: 206.4 kWh
    Average daily kWh usage: 6.1 kWh
    kWh usage per person: 68.8 kWh
    
    Money spent this month: $22.09
    Average daily spending: $1.84
    Predicted Money spent per person: $20.63
    
    CO2 emissions this month: 114.1 lbs
    Predicted CO2 emissions this month: 319.6 lbs
    Average daily CO2 emissions: 9.5 lbs
    CO2 emissions per person: 106.5 lbs
     
       

    Lucas, Cat and Awe: Phidgets (**=answered)

    **What is the benefit of the phidgets project platform over other more complicated platforms? Phidgets requires no programming. It is a "what you see, is what you get" system.

    **How can you connect a phidgets device to a computer?
    Using a USB cord or a wireless connecter
    **If you were to move on to RFID tags, what possible uses on campus (including the elab) could you think of? We could put readers on the dorm room doors, the class room doors, or anywhere that requires a key to enter. We could almost completely replace the lock system we have now and have it so where ever there is a lock, a RFID reader would go in its place.
    *Lookup your motor speed controller online: what are the max currents and voltages for this unit?

    According to this chart, the reason the motor control board started smoking last class was because the current was too much for the board to handle, not because of the wires.