Calculate Max. Force on Car Lights at Highway Speeds

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter VooDooCC
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Car Force Speed
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on calculating the maximum force exerted on car lights due to wind at highway speeds, with the aim of determining appropriate electromechanical components for a pan/tilt system. The inquiry involves theoretical considerations related to the design and specifications of the lighting system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Justin seeks an equation to calculate the force on different size lights at highway speeds, specifically the force of wind on the lights.
  • Some participants inquire about the specific force being referenced, particularly whether it pertains to wind speed effects on the car.
  • Justin clarifies that he is interested in the wind force on the lights to determine the strength of the actuator needed for his system.
  • Another participant notes that the calculation would depend on various factors, including the size and orientation of the lights.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on the specific calculations or variables involved, and multiple perspectives on the factors influencing the force remain present.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the need for more specific definitions of the variables involved in the calculations, as well as the potential impact of different light designs and orientations on the force experienced.

VooDooCC
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Hello all,
What I'm trying to figure out is how I would calculate the max. force on the lights so I can determine which electromechanics to use for a pan/tilt system.
I know the bar will have 4 lights, but I haven't decided on which lights I'm going to use. I am hoping for an equation I could use to calculate the force on different size lights at highway speeds

Thank you in advance,
Justin
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
What force are you talking about? The effect of wind speed over the car?
 
Sorry, I was in a hurry typing that earlier.
What I'm talking about is the force of wind on the lights. I'm wanting to calculate this, so I know how strong of an actuator I need to use.

I'm going to be making something similar to but for a different truck and don't want to spend the $1700
 
Last edited by a moderator:
That would depend on many different variables, mainly the size and orientation of the lights themselves.
 

Similar threads

Can Electric Car Charging from Highway Lights Prevent Cold Weather Stranding?
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
2K
Calculating the force of an average car
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
8K
High School Calculate Force of Car Crash: Bill's Story
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Electric motor - variable torque vs speed
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
How Do You Calculate Tractive Force for Accelerating a Car?
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
8K
High School Relation between centrifugal force and speed
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Graduate Calculate the group velocity in EIT (famous paper: light speed 17m/s)
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
High School Does Force Travel Faster Than Light?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Undergrad Calculating Speed Between Two Cars
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad How to Measure Speed of Light & Is It Constant?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K