Trav's solar kayak competitor

[rcjordan]

The world's first smart, electric, self-inflating stand-up paddleboard

https://www.digitaltrends.com/health-fitness/sipaboard-electric-self-inflating-paddle-board/

It's waaay cheaper than the wad Trav blew on his project ...but not as cool.

[Travoli]

I've been slacking. Need to take some photos and post the kayak project.

[rcjordan]

I'd particularly like to see the throttle set-up.

[rcjordan]

https://hackaday.com/2018/12/04/go-up-a-creek-without-a-paddle/

[littleman]

That solar kayak seems like a nice setup, though I think I'd want a small battery pack so I wouldn't have to worry about shade that much.  Hack a Day is a pretty cool site.

[Travoli]

Dang I've really been slacking on sharing that project here. It'll go all day at 3.5mph on solar (slightly faster than average paddling speed), or 5-7mph when you dip into the battery power. Battery is huge and can do 20+ miles solo on a full charge, depending on speed.

Zipped by a million-dollar power boat party in a no-wake zone last Summer. They got a kick out of it.

[littleman]

That's cool Travis!  Post some picks.

[Travoli]

Here are a couple from last year.

Running on battery
https://youtu.be/ZVd9Gg4RATk

Hobie Mirage Revolution 13
Torqueedo motor
150 semi-flexible watt solar panel
Larger 915 watt hour battery
Custom PVC solar panel frame and lashings

The Torqueedo can charge via solar. I spoke with the engineers and learned that it is designed to flow solar energy straight to the motor. The digital throttle display shows current watt usage. With the solar panel wired up, you can go 3+ mph (cruising speed for this hull) without tapping into the battery at all. The throttle display will show no watts being used, and infinite range. Any increase in speed adds a logarithmic increase in required watts. I'll post some photos of that.

It's been fun exploring local waterways. Top speed around 6mph.

It required full registration and mandatory coast guard safety equipment like a regular boat, hence the (redacted) lettering on the side.

1st photo
68% battery remaining
--- miles range remaining (infinite)
3.4mph current speed (GPS)
0 watts currently being consumed from battery (all power from solar)

2nd photo
68% battery remaining
113 miles range remaining
4.5mph current speed (GPS)
22 watts currently being consumed from battery (remainder from solar)

[Travoli]

Contemplating an outrigger kit. It'll allow for two additional solar panels. Full throttle all day, purely on solar.

[littleman]

Thanks for the pics and video.  Does the motor stay above the water there on the side and then drive a shaft down to the propeller?

[Travoli]

No, the motor outputs directly to the propeller. My one complaint of the system is the noise. But it's otherwise top quality. Torqueedo makes some pretty serious electric boating systems.

[littleman]

Hey Trav, this reminded me of your setup.  I like how the panel also serves as shade.

[Travoli]

Yeah very similar DIY style. I had it easy, just bought some stuff and plugged it together. Thanks for sharing.

[Rupert]

OK , so a little jet motor,
https://uk.banggood.com/TFL-B54270-Aluminum-Alloy-Water-Jet-Thruster-Pump-without-Motor-for-RC-Boat-Model-Parts-p-1625852.html?rmmds=detail-left-hotproducts__1

Or perhaps a smaller one, and then put these on the bottom......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQRtgEIs--k


Powered as a peddle unit, to use those big thigh muscles.
and you have a thing of real beauty:

Or use this: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRnIIxk5cjg


now that combines both ideas, but in a tiny thing!!!!

[rcjordan]

>Or use this:

$13000 !!!