Hi Michael,
I guess that depends on how much your boat costs... :)
But you're in luck, what you describe is already available as an "off the shelf" stand alone unit as discussed in previous threads.
Here's an excerpt of one of my posts from last year:
"Variable pitch will make a more effective hydro-generator as proven by "the amazingly expensive french hydrogenerators (more than $7000 US each) that have been discussed on this board more than once this year."
http://www.velux5oceans.com/#/ocean-sprint-4-news/brad-hydro-power-sustainabilit\y/1902
The variable pitch props are computer controlled to maximize the charge while minimizing drag. I get the impression that they have an algorithym that optimizes the tradeoff for different speeds. They have the advantage of sailing at much higher speeds than most of our boats and they are only looking to supply house loads."
On the drive side of the conversation, since electric motors have such a wide power band, there is less of a reason to vary the output of a prop (speed) while running the engine at peak power like with ICE boats and planes. I haven't heard about anyone that has achieved dramatically better results from an electric drive with a variable pitch prop, but that doesn't mean that it can't be done. But the end result is that any increases in performance may not offset the increased cost and complexity.
Most of us spend time optimizing our propellers for more efficient propulsion. The question becomes whether anyone here is willing to sacrifice drive effficiency to increase regen capabilities. Personally, I'm not. The strategy of installing a seperate system for electric generation like the French hydro-generator mentioned above, allows for better efficiency in both directions with the only real downside being cost.
Fair winds,
Eric
Marina del Rey, CA
--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, Michael Mccomb <mccomb.michael@...> wrote:
>
> ... how about a variable pitch computer controlled prop that self adjusts so as to extract the maximum current second by second... costs about as much as the rest of the boat i imagine
>
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