PV Gap

Marian Said:

cool electric generating ideas for model plane?

We Answered:

1. That takes a lot of solar panel, a lot of weight, just in case the engine stalls? doesn't seem worth it. 1.2 x 1.7 = 2 watts. That will be about 50 square inches, or 7" x 7". Now you could use a smaller panel and a large capacitor to store some of the power, but that gets complicated also.

2. same problem, carry the extra weight when you can charge the battery before the flight.

3. This is more like it. Needs a lot of design work, and of course there is the problem of when the sun ducks behind a cloud.

4. Doesn't work. the extra drag from the second prop will be more than the power recovered. Perpetual motion machines are not possible.

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