Hi Kyrre,

    Sure, go ahead! If we ever get these things to work, we could have them
meet in the middle of the pond! Or exchange them via some waterway and send
them back via UPS!

Well, right know my budget is  about $1k (Canadian) for the whole project
but I suspect I might blow it once I get to the Lexan shell part... I'll see
once I get there. A decent GPS with NMEA 0183 via RS-232 and way-point
capability is just below 150 U$ here, the digital compass I got for $99 from
Jameco. Yes there are less expensive OEM GPS options but I'd have to do the
way-point stuff with the PIC and add an
external antenna etc ...I've received some interseting info from Greg for
position feedback with the ARGOS system. I've sent a few emails to see
exactly how much this would cost. It would allow me to have near real-time
position feedback which I could have posted on my www site!

I must admit that Matt's posts about salt-water and solar panels have left
me a little disapointed :-( But I want to make a few speed tests and gather
some more info about tides, currents and all before going for a sail boat.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kyrre Aalerud" <kreature@C2I.NET>
To: <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2000 6:59 PM
Subject: Re: [OT]: PICinaBottle <-- Long range position feedback anyone ?

<Nice with the propulsion...
<Here's a better idea for the steering:

<Use a single pump-system to suck in water, but then split the stream into 3
tubes.
<These three tubes go out one go left, one center and the last to the right.
All at the back of the vesel.
<Now you need some sort of shutter mechanism to open/close the 3 tubes.
There are about a thousend of <<these that require very little power.  These
have a very low stopping ability, but you don't need much <pressure.
<Now the boat can steer :-)

Or maybe two independant turbines but instead of having them go parallel
they would split apart towards the stern part of the boat. So if both work
at the same time you will go reasonably straight and if you stop one or the
other the boat will turn (slowly!).

<So what do you think ?
<This system allows for the cleaning solution of backwash, and a high
efficiensy pump system would be quite <possible to find.  Just select one
that can handle salt water :-)

<I must say:
<Your project inspired me alot!  And if you allow I would like to try
something similar myself.  Mabe see if I <can find some of those shutters
and alike :-)  This is just about the most interseting project I have come
<across :-)

<But I don't see how you can get the GPS system cheap enough though...

<    KreAture

Please keep me posted on your progress!

Regards,

Tobie

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