Go Kart
During my time at Chalmers University one of the things I built was a completely wind powered go-kart for Cortégen 2008 (a parade of sorts for people from school, typically used to satirize recent political events). The kart was built during the winter and spring of 2008. It’s based on a standard micro-class go-kart frame, powered by an 85cc two-stroke engine that outputs about 8.5kW at 8500 rpm (a real screamer). The motor output is downshifted to about 5000rpm that drives a 24×10 wooden propeller in a steel housing. The total setup gives about 150N of thrust. As can be seen in one of the images there’s a freewheeler on one of the rear wheels, turning slowed the kart down too much with a rigid rear axle. I also had to make a custom chair for the kart as I was far too large for the chair made for 8-year olds. I also had some problems with propellers breaking, so right before Cortégen I wound it in cotton string drenched in wood glue in the hope that it would protect the blade. I don’t know whether it did any good or not but the propeller survived without any damage.
