NYCkayaker Solar Power Devices for Paddlers and Rowers
Geoff K.
geoffk99@gmail.com
Wed Apr 7 20:50:52 EDT 2010
You asked for opinions & that's what I have to offer. You can do with
them what you will.
Let us know how the discussions go with Solarrific.
-- Geoff
Erik Baard wrote:
> After this, I'll drop to back channel...
>
> I've been out on the water, pretty far from shore, in the dark and
> fumbling to change batteries. That's not fun, and talk about a risk of
> water exposure! I already have a hand-crank, solar-charging waterproof
> and durable flashlight from Solarrific. I don't doubt the company
> could achieve equally impressive results with the slight modifications
> needed to produce navigation lights and strobes.
>
> Solarrific might also be wise to partner with an existing marine radio
> company to modify a product to include these options. The lighting
> could be done from scratch.
>
> That said, I'd likely scoop up a waterproof, hand-crank battery recharger.
>
> I agree about the need for universal batteries in several niche
> markets (small marine devices, electric cars and boats, etc.) but this
> is beyond the scope of Solarrific.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Erik
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Apr 7, 2010 at 5:47 PM, Geoff K. <geoffk99@gmail.com
> <mailto:geoffk99@gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> I understand, of course they're battery-powered, but batteries
> recharged by solar or hand-crank should fit proven devices already
> in use. The existing battery-powered devices have been
> field-tested over time, and don't need any re-design to have an
> input port to connect the charging system -- more holes mean more
> chances for water to get in. Using rechargeable batteries let the
> existing devices be used as-is. This would let the device be used
> while another set of batteries could be recharged at the same
> time, possibly stored below deck with only the solar cell or
> manual crank exposed. If a battery ran out while in use outside of
> charging hours, a fresh set of batteries could get the device back
> into service quickly.
>
> I'd like to see the concentration in new technology lean towards
> making better batteries that can be recharged and still fit in the
> standard form factor that we all know and use. I'd like to see
> marine batteries use standard rechargeable cells instead of having
> unique formats for each manufacturer and often for each different
> model from the same manufacturer.
>
> I'd just rather not re-design a new light or radio if what I have
> already works and just needs a fresh battery to keep working. We
> need to improve battery technology far more than we need to
> redesign proven designs that already run on batteries.
>
> -- Geoff
>
> Erik Baard wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> Solar and hand-crank devices are still battery powered. The
>> difference is that one can keep recharging the battery on site.
>>
>> As for the wheel, the basic concept might be the same but
>> materials, computer controls, and tires are constantly improving.
>> :)
>>
>> Erik
>>
>> On Wed, Apr 7, 2010 at 4:56 PM, Geoff K. <geoffk99@gmail.com
>> <mailto:geoffk99@gmail.com>> wrote:
>>
>> Why not just use battery-powered devices that are already
>> tested and proven, and use solar/hand power to recharge the
>> batteries that keep those devices running? Seems a lot
>> simpler to me, and potentially much more versatile.
>>
>> Why reinvent the wheel, just invent the recharger for the
>> wheel's power source...
>>
>> -- Geoff
>>
>> Subject:
>> NYCkayaker Solar Power Devices for Paddlers and Rowers
>> From:
>> Erik Baard <erikbaard@gmail.com <mailto:erikbaard@gmail.com>>
>> Date:
>> Tue, 6 Apr 2010 14:14:40 -0400
>> To:
>> kayack <nyckayaker@rockandwater.net
>> <mailto:nyckayaker@rockandwater.net>>
>>
>> To:
>> kayack <nyckayaker@rockandwater.net
>> <mailto:nyckayaker@rockandwater.net>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Ahoy'all,
>>
>> I'm in talks with a solar gear distributor with
>> established manufacturing
>> ties to make marine radios and navigation lights that are
>> solar powered with
>> a hand-crank backup. I believe that having such power
>> options for these
>> devices would significantly increase small boat safety.
>> Naturally all gear
>> would have to be submersible and rugged.
>>
>> I have three questions for the list:
>>
>> 1) What marine radio do you believe should be the
>> substrate device an
>> inspiration for it? Maybe the Standard Horizon
>> HX4715<http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=71726205E5C6EC181DE69A09BC8877EA&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0
>> <http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=71726205E5C6EC181DE69A09BC8877EA&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0>>
>>
>>
>> ?
>>
>> 2) What navigation lights do you believe should be the
>> substrate or
>> inspiration for this improvement? Maybe
>> Tektite<http://www.tek-tite.com/src/products.php?c=6>?
>>
>>
>> 3) What other devices would you like to see powered by
>> photovoltaic panels
>> and hand cranks? Perhaps emergency strobes?
>>
>> Thanks so much for lending me your brains.
>>
>> Salty regards,
>>
>> Erik
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Erik Baard
>> FREE APPLE TREES!
>> www.newtownpippin.org <http://www.newtownpippin.org>
>>
>> FREE KAYAKING!
>> www.licboathouse.org <http://www.licboathouse.org>
>>
>> Your Urban Wilderness Community:
>> www.naturecalendar.com <http://www.naturecalendar.com>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Erik Baard
> FREE APPLE TREES!
> www.newtownpippin.org <http://www.newtownpippin.org>
>
> FREE KAYAKING!
> www.licboathouse.org <http://www.licboathouse.org>
>
> Your Urban Wilderness Community:
> www.naturecalendar.com <http://www.naturecalendar.com>
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