To power every low-voltage system on the car, to acquire and log the data every other subteam needs to validate its designs, and to control the safety shutdown and other critical systems. Electrical owns the wiring harnesses, the 12V battery and charging system, power distribution, the ECU/dash/datalogger electronics, every sensor on the car, and the team-designed printed circuit boards including the Brake System Plausibility Device.
- Eliminate critical failures. The historical failure modes are wire sizing, connector failures and safety shutdown failures; each year's goals are written against those three. - Meet the FSAE requirements for Electronic Throttle Control, which is what makes the BSPD mandatory. - Expand data acquisition scope and quality without sacrificing data integrity. CR26I centralised all logging in the MoTeC M150 and holds CAN bus load at 54%. - Improve harness serviceability and documentation. Harnesses are designed in RapidHarness and the wire colour code is fixed team-wide. - Reduce harness mass and connector count year over year. CR22 harness: 399 wires, 1362 ft, 5.916 lb. - Test auxiliary electronics in simulated conditions before they go on the car.