R/C solar-powered sail boat project

[John_Lee]

I've just completed building a fairly long sail boat, a
radio-controlled boat, which is to be powered by both batteries and
solar panels, along with the help of the wind. I'd like to use
separate flexible solar panels, they are extremely light in weight, to
power one small DC fan and one bigger DC fan. Here are the
specifications of those fans: small fan (Rated Voltage: 12VDC, Rated
Power Current: 0.15 Amp, Rate Power Consumption: 1.8 W); big fan
(Rated Voltage: 12VDC, Rated Power Current: 1.0 Amp, Rate Power
Consumption: 12.5 W). These fans will be placed in a way that they
blow air at the sails, thus propelling the boat. I would like to sail
this boat for 5 hours non-stop.

My question: based on the specifications of the fans, what are the
sizes for the solar panels (in terms of Rate Power Consumption) for
the small fan and the big fan? Thank you.

John.

 

[Graham W]

John_Lee wrote:

I've just completed building a fairly long sail boat, a
radio-controlled boat, which is to be powered by both batteries and
solar panels, along with the help of the wind. I'd like to use
separate flexible solar panels, they are extremely light in weight, to
power one small DC fan and one bigger DC fan. Here are the
specifications of those fans: small fan (Rated Voltage: 12VDC, Rated
Power Current: 0.15 Amp, Rate Power Consumption: 1.8 W); big fan
(Rated Voltage: 12VDC, Rated Power Current: 1.0 Amp, Rate Power
Consumption: 12.5 W). These fans will be placed in a way that they
blow air at the sails, thus propelling the boat.

Don't be silly! How can that ever work? If you really want to use
fans to propel the boat then they must exhaust freely directly rearwards.

Forget about using the small fan. It has about 1/400 HP electrical
input and virtually nothing in the way of thrust. I measured less than
3 grammes (1/10 ounce) in a practical test.

I would like to sail
this boat for 5 hours non-stop.

Then make sure your RC batteries are up to that service interval.

My question: based on the specifications of the fans, what are the
sizes for the solar panels (in terms of Rate Power Consumption) for
the small fan and the big fan?

I don't understand the question. You already have the info in the
fan specs above.


--
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Change 'news' to 'sewn' in my Reply address to avoid my spam filter.

 

[Rich Grise]

John_Lee wrote:
....

These fans will be placed in a way that they
blow air at the sails, thus propelling the boat. I would like to sail
this boat for 5 hours non-stop.

Visions of Wile E. Coyote are dancing in my head. ;-P

Good Luck!
Rich

 

[Dave Platt]

In article <c625758a.0408071543.58eb0b11@posting.google.com>,
John_Lee <wanghes@hotmail.com> wrote:

I've just completed building a fairly long sail boat, a
radio-controlled boat, which is to be powered by both batteries and
solar panels, along with the help of the wind. I'd like to use
separate flexible solar panels, they are extremely light in weight, to
power one small DC fan and one bigger DC fan. Here are the
specifications of those fans: small fan (Rated Voltage: 12VDC, Rated
Power Current: 0.15 Amp, Rate Power Consumption: 1.8 W); big fan
(Rated Voltage: 12VDC, Rated Power Current: 1.0 Amp, Rate Power
Consumption: 12.5 W).

These fans will be placed in a way that they
blow air at the sails, thus propelling the boat. I would like to sail
this boat for 5 hours non-stop.

#splorf#

Beg pardon, but if you mean to do what I think you mean to do... it
won't work. At best, you boat will just sit there, at worst it will
actually travel backwards.

My question: based on the specifications of the fans, what are the
sizes for the solar panels (in terms of Rate Power Consumption) for
the small fan and the big fan? Thank you.

Well, for what it's worth, most easily-available solar panels seem to
require somewhat in excess of 1 square foot of panel space to deliver
10 watts of power in direct bright sun. 2 square feet per 10 watts is
probably a good figure to shoot for.

However, unless you're planning to sail this boat in a circular path
around some sort of "racetrack", and can mount the panels and fans on
the "shore" to blow air forwards at an angle onto the boat as it sails
by... I suggest you re-think your idea.

The old trick of "person on boat holds fan, fan blows air on sails,
sails push boat forwards" only works in cartoons. In real life,
Newton's second law of motion prevents this from working.

--
Dave Platt <dplatt@radagast.org> AE6EO
Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will
boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!

 

[Dave VanHorn]

Your sail should be a vertical cylinder, which you spin around it's vertical
axis.

 

[Gareth]

Mark (UK) wrote:

HAHAHA!! LOL!!!

Reminds me of a Popeye cartoon, where Bluto is chasing after Popeye and
Olive, who are on a ship - Popeye eats some spinach, then blows at the
sails and the boat zooms off!!

Seriously though, that Newton dude said that for every action, there is
an equal and opposite reaction, so if the fan blows the sail, the boat
will try to move forward, but the fan will also move backwards by the
same amount, therefore making the boat go nowhere

That is true if the fan was blowing forwards directly onto a sail angled
perpendicular to the direction of motion, but suppose you put the sail
at 45 degrees to the desired direction of travel and positioned the fan
at the side of the boat blowing perpendicular to the direction of
travel. I think that would result in some forward force. It would be
less efficient than just having the fan blow backwards with no sails,
but would look more realistic as the sail would have wind in it. I
assume that is what the OP wants.

Gareth.

--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
To reply to me directly:

Replace privacy.net with: totalise DOT co DOT uk and replace me with
gareth.harris

 

[Mark (UK)]

HAHAHA!! LOL!!!

Reminds me of a Popeye cartoon, where Bluto is chasing after Popeye and
Olive, who are on a ship - Popeye eats some spinach, then blows at the
sails and the boat zooms off!!

Seriously though, that Newton dude said that for every action, there is
an equal and opposite reaction, so if the fan blows the sail, the boat
will try to move forward, but the fan will also move backwards by the
same amount, therefore making the boat go nowhere, or if the fan is
powerful enough, rip the boat in half, then the front bit will go
forward, and the back bit will go backwards - until it sinks!

Yours, Mark.

Graham W wrote:

John_Lee wrote:

I've just completed building a fairly long sail boat, a
radio-controlled boat, which is to be powered by both batteries and
solar panels, along with the help of the wind. I'd like to use
separate flexible solar panels, they are extremely light in weight, to
power one small DC fan and one bigger DC fan. Here are the
specifications of those fans: small fan (Rated Voltage: 12VDC, Rated
Power Current: 0.15 Amp, Rate Power Consumption: 1.8 W); big fan
(Rated Voltage: 12VDC, Rated Power Current: 1.0 Amp, Rate Power
Consumption: 12.5 W). These fans will be placed in a way that they
blow air at the sails, thus propelling the boat.


Don't be silly! How can that ever work? If you really want to use
fans to propel the boat then they must exhaust freely directly rearwards.

Forget about using the small fan. It has about 1/400 HP electrical
input and virtually nothing in the way of thrust. I measured less than
3 grammes (1/10 ounce) in a practical test.


I would like to sail
this boat for 5 hours non-stop.


Then make sure your RC batteries are up to that service interval.


My question: based on the specifications of the fans, what are the
sizes for the solar panels (in terms of Rate Power Consumption) for
the small fan and the big fan?


I don't understand the question. You already have the info in the
fan specs above.

 

[Lewin A.R.W. Edwards]

Consumption: 12.5 W). These fans will be placed in a way that they
blow air at the sails, thus propelling the boat. I would like to sail
this boat for 5 hours non-stop.

I'm reminded of the Good Ship Venus:

The first mate's name was Carter
He really was a farter
When the wind wouldn't blow and the ship wouldn't go
They got Carter the farter to start 'er.

 

[Rheilly Phoull]

"John_Lee" <wanghes@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c625758a.0408071543.58eb0b11@posting.google.com...

I've just completed building a fairly long sail boat, a
radio-controlled boat, which is to be powered by both batteries and
solar panels, along with the help of the wind. I'd like to use
separate flexible solar panels, they are extremely light in weight, to
power one small DC fan and one bigger DC fan. Here are the
specifications of those fans: small fan (Rated Voltage: 12VDC, Rated
Power Current: 0.15 Amp, Rate Power Consumption: 1.8 W); big fan
(Rated Voltage: 12VDC, Rated Power Current: 1.0 Amp, Rate Power
Consumption: 12.5 W). These fans will be placed in a way that they
blow air at the sails, thus propelling the boat. I would like to sail
this boat for 5 hours non-stop.

My question: based on the specifications of the fans, what are the
sizes for the solar panels (in terms of Rate Power Consumption) for
the small fan and the big fan? Thank you.

John.

Take the power and apply it to an underwater fan.

--
Regards ........... Rheilly Phoull

 

wanghes@hotmail.com (John_Lee) wrote:

specifications of those fans: small fan Rate Power Consumption: 1.8 W
big fan Rate Power Consumption: 12.5 W

These fans will be placed in a way that they
blow air at the sails, thus propelling the boat.

I don't think that means what you think it means.

I would like to sail
this boat for 5 hours non-stop.

Will the sun be shining, or do you want battery power to take up the
slack?

My question: based on the specifications of the fans, what are the
sizes for the solar panels (in terms of Rate Power Consumption) for
the small fan and the big fan? Thank you.

Uh, 1.8 watts and 12.5 watts...

--
William Smith
ComputerSmiths Consulting, Inc. www.compusmiths.com

 

andy <news4@earthsong.free-online.co.uk> wrote:
[I wrote]

Uh, 1.8 watts and 12.5 watts...

actually not - the standard rating for solar panels is based on an
illumination of 1kW/m^2, but actual sunlight will be less

Ah, right you are, I was confusing the output he needs with the solar
panel ratings. Now that I think about it, mounting "angle" and
shading are going to be nightmares.

How about "as much as you can fit on the boat"? I suspect Rheilly
Phoull's answer of an underwater fan is going to be your best bet...

--
William Smith
ComputerSmiths Consulting, Inc. www.compusmiths.com

 

[andy]

On Sun, 08 Aug 2004 08:25:52 -0400, wrote:

wanghes@hotmail.com (John_Lee) wrote:
specifications of those fans: small fan Rate Power Consumption: 1.8 W
big fan Rate Power Consumption: 12.5 W

These fans will be placed in a way that they
blow air at the sails, thus propelling the boat.

I don't think that means what you think it means.

I would like to sail
this boat for 5 hours non-stop.

Will the sun be shining, or do you want battery power to take up the
slack?

My question: based on the specifications of the fans, what are the
sizes for the solar panels (in terms of Rate Power Consumption) for
the small fan and the big fan? Thank you.

Uh, 1.8 watts and 12.5 watts...

actually not - the standard rating for solar panels is based on an
illumination of 1kW/m^2, but actual sunlight will be less than this unless
you live on the equator. the sheet i have says a 10 watt rated panel gives
2.5 Ah/day at 12V on average in a UK summer, which should give some idea.

--
http://www.niftybits.ukfsn.org/

remove 'n-u-l-l' to email me. html mail or attachments will go in the spam
bin unless notified with

 or [attachment] in the subject line.

 

[Mark (UK)]

ROFLMAO

Lewin A.R.W. Edwards wrote:

Consumption: 12.5 W). These fans will be placed in a way that they
blow air at the sails, thus propelling the boat. I would like to sail
this boat for 5 hours non-stop.


I'm reminded of the Good Ship Venus:

The first mate's name was Carter
He really was a farter
When the wind wouldn't blow and the ship wouldn't go
They got Carter the farter to start 'er.

 

[Roger Gt]

<William P.N. Smith> wrote in message
news:bfech09iibju90pdl8lh7ft49jlq60knn4@4ax.com...
: andy <news4@earthsong.free-online.co.uk> wrote:
: [I wrote]
: >> Uh, 1.8 watts and 12.5 watts...
:
: >actually not - the standard rating for solar panels is based on
an
: >illumination of 1kW/m^2, but actual sunlight will be less
:
: Ah, right you are, I was confusing the output he needs with the
solar
: panel ratings. Now that I think about it, mounting "angle" and
: shading are going to be nightmares.
:
: How about "as much as you can fit on the boat"? I suspect
Rheilly
: Phoull's answer of an underwater fan is going to be your best
bet...
:

FYI -- Just so you know:

An "Under water fan" is normally referred to as a "Wheel" on a
boat.

 

"Roger Gt" <not@here.net> wrote:

An "Under water fan" is normally referred to as a "Wheel" on a
boat.

Nope, wheels aren't going to help. He's going to need to put a
propeller on it.

"Does anal-retentive have a hyphen?" 8*)

--
William Smith
ComputerSmiths Consulting, Inc. www.compusmiths.com

 

[Roger Gt]

<William P.N. Smith> wrote
: "Roger Gt" <not@here.net> wrote
: >An "Under water fan" is normally referred to as a "Wheel" on a
: >boat.
:
: Nope, wheels aren't going to help. He's going to need to put a
: propeller on it.
:
: "Does anal-retentive have a hyphen?" 8*)
:

I see you do not speak English, I intended to provide English
speaking adults with information, so it was clearly not directed
to B. S. (Little Billy Smith)!

In answer to Mr. Smiths inane question, the answer is obvious by
inspection, something you are clearly are unaware of, but should
be able to see once it is pointed out to you!

BTW, The horizontal wench used to control the rudder is a "Helm"
not a wheel. A Propeller is a component, and when installed it is
a "Wheel!"

If we are to speak, let us be understood clearly and
unambiguously!

Trying to be funny works only if you ARE funny! Otherwise your
just a SA!

 

"Roger The Git" <not@here.net> wrote:

Trying to be funny works only if you ARE funny!

Ah, now I understand Roger. (Should I bother with the smileys? Naw,
Roger Git doesn't git them...)

--
William Smith
ComputerSmiths Consulting, Inc. www.compusmiths.com

 

[Roger Gt]

< B. S.> wrote
: "Roger Gt" wrote
: >Trying to be funny works only if you ARE funny!
:
: Ah, now I understand Roger. (Should I bother with the smileys?
Naw,
: Roger Git doesn't git them...)

No, you Don't get it!
Besides, your smiley sucked!

 

[keithdisco]

and
the captins cat was called hall
it only had 1 ball
its fravorate trick was to stand on its dick and fly shit up the chart room
wall


"Lewin A.R.W. Edwards" <larwe@larwe.com> wrote in message
news:608b6569.0408080321.579a93a2@posting.google.com...

Consumption: 12.5 W). These fans will be placed in a way that they
blow air at the sails, thus propelling the boat. I would like to sail
this boat for 5 hours non-stop.

I'm reminded of the Good Ship Venus:

The first mate's name was Carter
He really was a farter
When the wind wouldn't blow and the ship wouldn't go
They got Carter the farter to start 'er.

 

[keithdisco]

OR

'Twas on the good ship Venus
By God, you should have seen us
The figurehead was a whore in bed
Sucking a red hot penis
CHORUS
Friggin' in the riggin'
Friggin' in the riggin'
Friggin' in the riggin'
There's fuck all else to do

Alternative Chorus
Friggin' in the riggin'
Wankin' on the plankin'
Masturbatin' on the gratin'
There's fuck all else to do

The captain of our lugger
He was a dirty bugger
He wasn't fit to shovel shit
From one hold to another

CHORUS

The first mate's name was Morgan
He was a sexual gorgon
He'd stand on deck, a physical wreck
A-strummin' his upright organ

CHORUS

Now second mate O'Malley
He didn't dilly-dally
He shot his bolt with such a jolt
He whitewashed half the galley

CHORUS

The captain's wife was Mabel
She'd take what she was able
With the second mate she'd fornicate
Upon the galley table

The engineer was Andy
By God, he had a dandy
They nailed his balls upon the wall
For coming in the brandy

The cabin boy, the cabin boy
The dirty little nipper
He stuffed his ass with broken glass
And circumcised the skipper

The bo'sun's name was Crupper
By God, he had a whopper
Twice round the deck, thrice round his neck
And up his arse for a stopper

The third mate's name was Sandy
His tool was long and bandy
They stuffed his ass with molten brass
For pissin' in the brandy

The steward's name was Paul
He only had one ball
But with that cracker he rolled tobaccer
Around the cabin wall

The captain had a daughter
Who fell into the water
Contented squeals confirmed that eels
Had found her sexual quarter

The bo'sun's mate was Walker
By God, he was a corker
The dirty sod had been in quod
For dalliance with a porker

The OC navigation
Was keen on masturbation
He taught these joys to two small boys
And gave them constipation

The cook his name was Freeman
By God, he was a demon
He fed the crew on menstrual stew
And hymens fried in semen

The ship's dog's name was Rover
The crew they'd roll him over
And bang his cock on every rock
From John O'Groats to Dover

The boatswain's mate was Lester
He was a hymen tester
Through hymens thick he shoved his prick
And left it there to fester

'Twas in the Adriatic
Where the water's almost static
The rise and fall of cock and ball
Was almost automatic

'Twas on the China station
By God, what a sensation
For they sunk the junk in a sea of spunk
Through mutual masturbation

So now we end this serial
Through sheer lack of material
I wish you luck, with every fuck
Free from disease venereal


"Lewin A.R.W. Edwards" <larwe@larwe.com> wrote in message
news:608b6569.0408080321.579a93a2@posting.google.com...

Consumption: 12.5 W). These fans will be placed in a way that they
blow air at the sails, thus propelling the boat. I would like to sail
this boat for 5 hours non-stop.

I'm reminded of the Good Ship Venus:

The first mate's name was Carter
He really was a farter
When the wind wouldn't blow and the ship wouldn't go
They got Carter the farter to start 'er.