KERS usage in Austraila

[Tech_Racer]

The maximum storage capacity of the system is limited to 300kJ

Where do you get this info from? I have not come upon it.

I didn't want to go to the regs but you made me.

5.2.2 With the exception of one fully charged KERS, the total amount of recoverable energy stored on the car must not exceed 300kJ. Any which may be recovered at a rate greater than 2kW must not exceed 20kJ.

5.2.3 The maximum power, in or out, of any KERS must not exceed 60kW.
Energy released from the KERS may not exceed 400kJ in any one lap.
Measurements will be taken at the connection to the rear wheel drivetrain.


400kJ / 60kW = 6.67 sec.

[KJM3]

All you guys talking about why they don't use ALL the KERS power on the straight forgot something...gearing.

The way the cars are geared, they usually reach their 18,000 RPM rev-limit in their highest gear at the fastest point on the track. They might run slightly longer ratio's to allow for a higher top-speed in case they can slipstream another car or use KERS, but they wouldn't run their gearing TOO much longer as this would have negative consequences around the rest of the track.

If they were to save all their KERS power for the straight, they could use it to REACH their gear limited top speed faster, but once they get there, they won't be going any faster.

It's not like a video game where you hit the KERS button and all of a sudden your car is going 400 km/h and passing everyone like they are standing still.

- KJ

[ISLAMATRON]

5.2.2 With the exception of one fully charged KERS,

Exactly, or do you read the regs like Flavio? J/k

[Tech_Racer]

5.2.2 With the exception of one fully charged KERS,

Exactly, or do you read the regs like Flavio? J/k

You are right actually. I just read the sections I understand and skip over the rest.

Anyway, I think my earlier statement about not having a large storage capacity is valid. The heavy batteries are replacing ballast which is critical for balance so a 150kJ capacity system makes sence to me.

Also, it seems that the charge rate for energy above 20kJ is only 2kW. Am I reading that right? You can charge at full rate (60kW) up to 20kJ and then you can only charge at 2 kW? That would mean is would take 65.33 s of braking to charge up to 150kJ. Something doesn't seem right.

[PlatinumZealot]

If i was one of the race teams i would definitely make sure that my capability is over 400kJ.I rather have 600kJ and that will charge up to the full 400kJ all the time than have 200kJ that has no space for error.

You never know when you will need more time to over take another guy.


60KW at lower speed is better than 60KW at high speed.
Less wastage fighting the wind.

[ISLAMATRON]

5.2.2 With the exception of one fully charged KERS,

Exactly, or do you read the regs like Flavio? J/k

You are right actually. I just read the sections I understand and skip over the rest.

Anyway, I think my earlier statement about not having a large storage capacity is valid. The heavy batteries are replacing ballast which is critical for balance so a 150kJ capacity system makes sence to me.

Also, it seems that the charge rate for energy above 20kJ is only 2kW. Am I reading that right? You can charge at full rate (60kW) up to 20kJ and then you can only charge at 2 kW? That would mean is would take 65.33 s of braking to charge up to 150kJ. Something doesn't seem right.

That part of the regs is for the electrical systems that are not part of KERS, such as the alternator, battery and electricals
for spark ignition, ECU, telemetry, radio etc., The two systems are separated because of a big voltage difference.

[ISLAMATRON]

If i was one of the race teams i would definitely make sure that my capability is over 400kJ.I rather have 600kJ and that will charge up to the full 400kJ all the time than have 200kJ that has no space for error.

You never know when you will need more time to over take another guy.


60KW at lower speed is better than 60KW at high speed.
Less wastage fighting the wind.

The more energy capacity you have, the more batteries you need and thus more weight you are carrying. If they can recharge 400kJ at 60 KW then it only takes 6.67 seconds of braking to fully recharge the batteries, I think they can easily keep the batteries full at that rate.

I look forward to the day hen they get rid of brakes altogether and only slow the car by regen braking.

[i70q7m7ghw]

If i was one of the race teams i would definitely make sure that my capability is over 400kJ.I rather have 600kJ and that will charge up to the full 400kJ all the time than have 200kJ that has no space for error.

You never know when you will need more time to over take another guy.


60KW at lower speed is better than 60KW at high speed.
Less wastage fighting the wind.

The more energy capacity you have, the more batteries you need and thus more weight you are carrying. If they can recharge 400kJ at 60 KW then it only takes 6.67 seconds of braking to fully recharge the batteries, I think they can easily keep the batteries full at that rate.

I look forward to the day hen they get rid of brakes altogether and only slow the car by regen braking.

Well you can't get rid of them completely, they are needed to come to a complete stand still and to aid the braking ability of KERS. The KERS will provide a sort of engine braking, adding some resistance under braking, but it wouldn't provide enough resistance to bring the car to a sudden stop I would have thought.

[zac510]

Did anybody catch the onboard footage of Ferrari (Massa i think) a few laps before he went out of the KERS being triggered by the gearchange? I'd love to see that footage again

[ISLAMATRON]

If i was one of the race teams i would definitely make sure that my capability is over 400kJ.I rather have 600kJ and that will charge up to the full 400kJ all the time than have 200kJ that has no space for error.

You never know when you will need more time to over take another guy.


60KW at lower speed is better than 60KW at high speed.
Less wastage fighting the wind.

The more energy capacity you have, the more batteries you need and thus more weight you are carrying. If they can recharge 400kJ at 60 KW then it only takes 6.67 seconds of braking to fully recharge the batteries, I think they can easily keep the batteries full at that rate.

I look forward to the day hen they get rid of brakes altogether and only slow the car by regen braking.

Well you can't get rid of them completely, they are needed to come to a complete stand still and to aid the braking ability of KERS. The KERS will provide a sort of engine braking, adding some resistance under braking, but it wouldn't provide enough resistance to bring the car to a sudden stop I would have thought.

Yes now, but in the future it would be nice to see brakes totally gone from the cars, it can be done, the technology just isnt ready for it though. Of course they'd probly dstill have some type of back up braking system just for safety.

[bonjon1979]

i thought it was interesting to see Hamilton using it to overtake someone. I believe it was glock but I may be wrong. He seemed to be saving the KERS as he wasn't using it in the same places as he did before and then had loads in hand for the moment where he could overtake which was after a series of turns. It seemed to be most effective here as there were lots of bursts of acceleration.

On a slightly different point if the teams find they are using it in short bursts wouldn't it make sense to shrink the capacity and size of the battery. They could remove a lot of weight as the smaller battery will be charged between short bursts so in effect they only ever have two or three seconds worth of KERS boost on board at any one time. This means they could half the size/ weight of the battery. What do we think?

[virtuso13]

The most interesting use of KERS i saw was by Alonso .
Timo Glock was behind Alonso . He was saying on his radio that whenever he went near Alonso , he would use his boost and speed off ( Remember Tayota didn't use KERS )

[Kester]

I always assumed it would be used in defending as well as attacking.

[freedom_honda]

i fail to see how KERS would improve overtaking when everyone starts to use it. They would all be using it at the same place.

[skyyvodka]

i fail to see how KERS would improve overtaking when everyone starts to use it. They would all be using it at the same place.

As you saw when Hamilton overtook Piquet they can be used at different places and trick each other into using Kers when they really don't need to.