Pitsco Education Electric Energy Prop Racer User manual

Electric Energy
Prop Racer
58544 V0219
User Guide
Cautionary and Warning Statement
• This kit is designed and intended for educational purposes only.
• Use only under the direct supervision of an adult who has read and
understood the instructions provided in this user guide.
• Read warnings on packaging and in manual carefully.
• Safety glasses required when soldering.
• Always exercise caution when using soldering iron.
• Do not mix old and new batteries.
• Do not mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc), or rechargeable (nickel-cadmium)
batteries.
Soldering Iron Safety Tips
• Always get permission from an adult before using a soldering iron.
• Be sure to read and follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions provided with
your soldering iron.
• Never touch the element or tip of the soldering iron.
• Always return the soldering iron to its stand when not in use.
• Turn unit off or unplug it when not in use.

2 Electric Energy Prop Racer User Guide 58544 V0219
Electric Vehicles
How can you get 20 to 30 more miles out of each gallon of gas and help
prevent pollution in the atmosphere? Drive an electric car! Since 1997, car
buyers in America have been able to purchase hybrid vehicles, which combine
the use of fuel and batteries to make the car run.
Although electric vehicles look like regular cars, they operate much dierently.
To see for yourself, gather this kit’s materials and get ready to make your own
Electric Energy Prop Racer!
Materials Included
3
16
Drill
"
Figure 1 Figure 2
• 3 balsa wood strips (3/16" x 2" x 12")
• 4 clear CDs
• 2 axles (1/8")
• CD hub set
• Motor
• Plastic propeller (5")
• Battery holder
• 2 alligator clips
• Motor mount
• Screw
• Washer
• Wing nut
Items Required (not included)
• Utility knife
• Metal straightedge
• Soldering iron
• Drill and drill bits (3/16" and 1/8")
• Glue
• Wire strippers
• Pliers
• Double-sided tape
• Small Phillips screwdriver
• 2 AA batteries
• Transparent tape
• Pencil
• Ruler
Building the Racer
1. Locate the three balsa wood
pieces. Use a metal straightedge
and pencil to draw a straight line
down the middle of one piece
(Figure 1). Use a utility knife to cut
it in half. These will be the side
rails of the vehicle.
2. Using the transparent tape, put
the two halves together back-to-
back lengthwise (Figure 2). Make a
mark 1/2" from each end, centered
in the middle. Drill a 3/16" hole at
each point. Remove the tape and
separate the pieces.

Electric Energy Prop Racer User Guide 58544 V0219 3
3. Glue the rails on each side of a second piece
of balsa wood at a 90-degree angle (Figure
3). The holes should be on both ends of the
body.
4. Take the third piece of wood and cut a 5"
piece off one end (Figure 4). Then, use the
knife and straightedge to cut 1/2" off the
side of the 5" piece so its dimensions are
1-1/2" x 5" (Figure 5).
5. Make a mark 1/2"
from one end of the
piece and drill a 1/8"
hole in that spot. The
hole should be
centered in the
middle of the piece
(Figure 6 corner).
6. Place the 1-1/2" x 5"
piece of wood in the center of the
racer body with the side rails
pointed down (Figure 6). Be sure
the end with the hole hangs over
one end at least 2" before gluing it
into place.
7. While the glue dries, find the four
CDs and CD hubs. Using the small
screws with the hub set, screw the
hubs into the center holes of the
CDs (Figure 7 corner). Place four
bushings from the hub set into
the holes of the side rails. Locate
the 1/8" axles and push them
through the bushings (Figure 7).
Push the CDs onto the ends of the
axles to make the wheels.
8. Connect the alligator clips to the
battery holder assembly by
inserting one of the two leads
through the small hole in an alligator clip.
9. Using a pair of pliers, bend the tabs on the alligator clip over the lead.
10. Solder the lead to the alligator clip. Be sure to heat the metal around the
lead thoroughly so solder flows freely and attaches to the clip.
11. Repeat Steps 8-10 for the second lead of the battery holder.
5"
1-1/2"
2"
1
8
Drill
"
Figure 5
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 6
Figure 7

4 Electric Energy Prop Racer User Guide 58544 V0219
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Toll-Free Orders 800-835-0686
12. Using the screw, washer, and wing nut, attach the plastic motor mount
using the hole on the 1-1/2" x 5" piece (Figure 8). The screw should be
inserted into the center of the mount from the top, and the washer
should be placed between the bottom of the balsa wood and the wing
nut to prevent the wing nut from grinding into the wood.
13. Place double-sided tape on the base of the battery holder and secure it to
the racer body about 1/2" behind the balsa strip holding the motor
mount (Figure 8). Push the propeller onto the front shaft of the motor and
slide the motor into the mount. The two motor terminals should be
pointed toward the battery holder.
14. Insert two AA batteries in the battery holder. To activate the racer, attach
the alligator clips to the terminals of the motor.
Caution: When the batteries are inside the holder, keep the alligator clips
from touching. Designate a specific area to attach one of the alligator
clips (on the front wheel or the side rail) so they do not touch one
another. Allowing them to touch will result in a heat transfer that could
cause burning.
Your Electric Energy Prop Racer is ready to roll! To change the direction of the
racer, switch the alligator clips onto the opposite motor terminals.
Figure 8