First Atlantic crossing with a solar boat

What is being missed here is the fact that experiments such as this bring this type of technology and implementation to the forefront. In doing so, funding for better battery and solar research is likely to follow. I agree that cargo has been moved across oceans for centuries with wind, and the practicality of solar for commercial transport is a long way off, but then again, so was privatised space flight. Now the big money guys are into it, and the technology is improving, and becoming less expensive. If this ship is a fluke, one person's dream, it is not very important, but if it has the support of some major corporations, it is likely that the technology will improve drasticaly in thee next few years.

[Talbot]

The other important point about the duogen (and its wind only brother the "400") is that they both have large blades in the wind mode, and thus the turning speed is reduced for a larger current, and wind noise is also reduced.

These are very quiet.

[Canibul]

I am curious about something, perhaps one of you has the answer. All of the wind generators I have seen have vertically mounted impellers, like fan blades. They seem to be difficult to find a suitable home for amongst the assorted other structures and rigging on the boat.

I know of several "flatter" designs in rotors, more like discs turing horizontally. Wouldnt an impeller design that spun around a vertical shaft lend itself to mounting a lot easier? Say, on the mast as with a radar installation? I am thinking of Savonius rotors, and even the design of anemometers. There are some others around as well.

[GordMay]

Canibul: You might be interested in the thread on “ Vertical Axis Wind Generators”
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ead.php?t=3490

[Talbot]

The only one in production that I am aware off is the forgen:
There are two models. The larger one can just show a current at about 1.5 amps, the smaller version produces less than that!

You are better of with a solar panel than this.

[Canibul]

and yet, Cousteau sailed a boat with two tall versions of that and no canvas...

I was thinking of more of a horizontal disk shape, much larger diameter but only a few inches high.

I am interested in wind technology for a house we are building on a hill here, also. Face on to the trade winds all year.

[Talbot]

best wind generators that I am aware off are the D400 from Duogen and the Kiss. both are expensive by comparison to thers, but produce a lot more power, and are a lot quieter.

[Vasco]

The KISS is a lot less expensive than the Duogen. I've been quite pleased with it. On the matter of solar power I just got a watch that runs on light power, artificial or natural. Now if only I can get the second hand up to 3200 rpm.

[Canibul]

just a question of changing some gearing, I would think...
oh, and you might need to balance it.


sometimes I feel like my watch is doing 3200 rpm the way the years are flying by..

[Maren]

I know this is late but I found this an interesting post.

Originally Posted by Canibul

and yet, Cousteau sailed a boat with two tall versions of that and no canvas...

I don’t think that is quite right

The Cousteau society used a couple of different designs of which one was improved version of a rotating cylinder (Mangus effect) and the other an airfoil. They didn’t generate power but were powered to provide the driving force a sail does.

This is another good link for Cousteau society ships.

I was thinking of more of a horizontal disk shape, much larger diameter but only a few inches high.

The problem of a horizontal rotor of only a few inches high is not enough wind would move past it. Basically you would have issues of mass flow rate of air and is covered under Betz’ law.