On Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 09:50:36PM -0700, bill garrison wrote:
>
>
> I have been reading about a lot of conversions for propeller systems, but what
> about a sternwheel propulsion conversion? Does anyone have experience or
> understanding regarding this type of system? I am considering a 40' house boat
> 12'-14' wide with a sternwheel.
As I recall, sternwheels aren't in use anymore because props are much
more efficient. You might want to look that up, though.
> I am considering using a transmission, axle,
> and wheel system from say a 1984 Toyota van (automatic tranny), and an electric
> motor, either 48 or 72 volt system.
Sounds like a rust-prevention nightmare in the works... :) Also, you'd
be throwing away one of the greatest benefits of electric drive: you'd
be losing efficiency. One of the top rules in engineering is, "do as few
energy conversions as possible." Each one costs you energy, which is
wasted and dissipated as heat instead of doing useful work.
> I lean toward a 48 volt system with two 48
> volt battery banks. If I run one while solar is charging the other, then I can
> switch banks when bank A is discharged. This should extend my range
> significantly. Any thoughts out there?
There wouldn't be much of a point to splitting it up like that; there's
no problem in feeding the same bank that you're drawing from - in fact,
it's more efficient, because a loaded bank will give you a greater
voltage differential than one that's getting close to being charged, so
your source (solar panel) will continue pumping the juice at max capacity.
--
Ben Okopnik
-=-=-=-=-=-
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