Tweet
So it's about that time... I ought to let people know that I will indeed be running the Beverage Cooling Contraption Contest again at DC16. We've had a great time with it in the past and this year should be no exception!
Changes from previous years...
There are two significant ways in which the contest has evolved for the new year. One will pertain to power use. The other concerns fluid flow.
Power Use
Electrical devices are now totally allowed and can run on AC power if necessary. (I still haven't cleared that with anyone, but there were loads of power cords outside last time and i think we should be able to tap into that for a couple of simple little devices, right? I mean, come on... you're not breaking out huge meat lockers. We're talking about devices that would in theory be able to run on a car battery with an inverter attached.
In fact, that's a good guideline... electrical contraptions should be able to run on 12volt DC power from an automobile or marine source, if necessary. So, you'll have AC power (hopefully) but we may see how things perform with an inverted DC source (or maybe you just make your devices DC-powered in the first place)
Fluid Flow
A while back we eliminated the "cooling in can" aspect of the competition and kept just the "cool by pouring from an open can" system. Now that will be modified further. Contestants will be given a supply of open beverage cans and will pour them (at whatever pace they choose) directly through their contraptions. Instead of incorporating cooling "reservoirs" where the beverage will remain stationary as its temperature drops, fluid should flow freely through.
Ideally, a contraption should be able to handle a sustained, continual supply of beverage and produce consistently cooled results. Beverages shouldn't take more than a minute to pass from the input to the output spout.
So who's up for the cooling this year?
Changes from previous years...
There are two significant ways in which the contest has evolved for the new year. One will pertain to power use. The other concerns fluid flow.
Power Use
Electrical devices are now totally allowed and can run on AC power if necessary. (I still haven't cleared that with anyone, but there were loads of power cords outside last time and i think we should be able to tap into that for a couple of simple little devices, right? I mean, come on... you're not breaking out huge meat lockers. We're talking about devices that would in theory be able to run on a car battery with an inverter attached.
In fact, that's a good guideline... electrical contraptions should be able to run on 12volt DC power from an automobile or marine source, if necessary. So, you'll have AC power (hopefully) but we may see how things perform with an inverted DC source (or maybe you just make your devices DC-powered in the first place)
Fluid Flow
A while back we eliminated the "cooling in can" aspect of the competition and kept just the "cool by pouring from an open can" system. Now that will be modified further. Contestants will be given a supply of open beverage cans and will pour them (at whatever pace they choose) directly through their contraptions. Instead of incorporating cooling "reservoirs" where the beverage will remain stationary as its temperature drops, fluid should flow freely through.
Ideally, a contraption should be able to handle a sustained, continual supply of beverage and produce consistently cooled results. Beverages shouldn't take more than a minute to pass from the input to the output spout.
So who's up for the cooling this year?
Comment