PV Gap

Arnold Said:

Does anyone know where I can get a free boat to Convert to a solar powered boat?

We Answered:

Well, I have no idea of how "tiny" you are talking about... except that since you are looking for a "free" one... it must be large enough to hold a person or two... So... based on this...
Honestly... you could probably find a free boat if you look hard and long enough... However... if you are going to take on such a project, might I suggest:
Forget the shortcuts... adapting an existing boat might seem the easiest and simpliest... but it won't be, and it certainly will not be the best or the greatest... A "free" boat is going to be a "heavy" boat... I can guarantee you that.
The key elements to solar power are tied very closely to the three key elements of motion... (weight, force, motion). I would suggest instead of wasting your time looking for a "free boat" that you build one yourself...
Believe me, the little it will cost you to build yourself, will ad tremendous advantages to your "something bigger than tiny prototype".
Today, high technology has also revolutionized the boat building industry... wonderful high tech boat resins, epoxies, and fabrics are making it easier, better, stronger, lighter, faster, and even making it all "last longer".
In fact, the fastest, cleanest, slickest, most economical and best looking solar boats I have seen have been "home built". I don't know how much you know about solar power - so, hear again, I have to make a few assumptions - one assumption I am making is based on your mention of a "commercial" prototype... (somehow that... and "tiny" don't seem to conjugate) the big problem with solor power has been in the space, size, weight, and cost of "batteries"... on my boat, I have 4 banks of 4 batteries for auxilaries and 1 bank of 2 or engine start... that alone is almost 2,000 lbs of 12v marine batteries; and this gives me the ability to run mimimal lights and equipment, and laptops (one used at the helm for GPS navigation, cameras, etc. one used for satallite radio and TV, music system etc. and this one I use for internet, email, etc. and still, I can only operate these items about 30 hours with little or no sun... then I have to start up the generator to recharge everything... a motor of any kind, attached to a prop of any kind - will draw at least 10 times the amp hours... So, you will need substantial "tiny" space just for batteries, not to mention additional bouyancy for battery weight.
At any rate I suggest you look into building your own.
Hope this helps!

Mattie Said:

Solar/wind powered boat accessory?

We Answered:

Nothing will power the boat with solar... (It doesn't have enough power, your best bet is wind)

Here are some solar accessories.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/sto…


For example, notice this equation.... 746 watts = 1 horsepower. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_watts…

so, if you had 7 of the expensive panels (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/sto… 710&Ne=0&Ntt=solar&Ntk=Primary Search&Ntx=mode matchallpartial&Nao=20&Ns=0&keyword=sola… you'd have right around 1 horsepower.

A dingy is underpowered with six horsepower... so you would need 40 of those panels to make a dingy underpowered... with the sun shining!! Solar isn't nearly as good a deal as so many people think it is! (for $36,000 you can have an underpowered solar dingy!)

Judith Said:

How can I build a steam powered boat or solar powered water purifier?

We Answered:

This doesn't exactly fit what you are looking for, but if you wanted to make a solar or candle- powered boat instead of steam powered, here's a really amazing engine design that can be made worth aluminum cans and about $5 worth of other stuff. This particular technology is starting to get very serious scrutiny for real applications. You would need to add a cam shaft and paddle wheel just like a real steam boat to adapt this engine.


For a solar powered water purifier, all you need is to find a diagram of a still (like the kind for making whiskey), and solar oven as a heating unit (there's all sorts of solar oven designs on the web)

Jeanne Said:

how do i draw a drive train diagram for my solar powered boat?

We Answered:

Your best source for wiring diagram would be from the guy selling you the $22000 worth of solar panels. There will need to be a controller, and a stack of some form of battery with a solid rheostat for throttle controll.
You will probably get away with a direct drive (velvet drive) 1/1 for your reverse. and your motor(that is what they call an electric engine) will probably run better if you find one with more volts. Even golf carts run higher voltages.

There is a successful solar powered pontoon boat running round Europe you might find their web site and get a ton of information.

Mary Said:

where can i find a 3 inch solar powered boat fan?

We Answered:

If you mean vent fan, you can find it here:

http://ecatalog.westmarine.com/full.asp?…

In the West Marine Catalog. I'm sure you can buy it at other marine stores as well.

I installed one on a previous boat. It markedly cut down on mildew and mold when I had the boat in storage.