Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] enquiry - Surface Propulsion

[David Buchner <buchner@wcta.net>]

On Monday, September 29, 2003, at 10:05 AM, Warren Greenway wrote:

> They actually make diesel equivalents to the general
> purpose [gas?] engines used in generators. In short
> you could just get an old gas generator and replace
> the gas engine with a single cylinder diesel. Robin makes
> some of these diesels.

That's so cool. I even have an old generator with a blown-up engine. 
Let's go! It seems like you'd be all set: you could run on the surface 
powering the motors direct from the generator, or you could surface 
from a dive, heave the generator out on deck -- and run a battery 
charger, ventilator fan, and blender for daiquiris while getting ready 
for another dive.

And
On Monday, September 29, 2003, at 09:38 AM, Michael B Holt wrote:
> I would think one of the old 2-cycle outboards would accept this
> treatment easily.   Ever used a British Seagull?   They can be dunked
> underwater for hours,  then a couple of pulls cleans the water out
> and away it goes.

...and I suppose slathering the thing with oil inside and out when you 
get home. That seems like it would make a terrific way of getting a sub 
out to where you wanted to operate it without wasting battery power. 
Maybe faster, too. One could also start from scratch and design (or 
adapt) a very simple outboard for the precise application of running 
after being submerged: big drain plugs all over the place, an extra 
oiler, lots of plastic parts ...?

> Solar cells?   When I was working at the local electric utility, we
> played
> with these for a bit.   Mostly to see what they could for control 
> systems
> at substations ... they just don't give enough power to do much beyond
> drive small computer systems (low volts, low amps).

Hey. We're doing alright here. (Although I confess that today is one of 
those Honda gasoline powered days rather than a solar one.)