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From: <C1jaygo_at_aol.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Electric kayak pump
Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999 21:54:58 EDT
     Has anyone read the new Sea Kayaker magazine article about using an 
electric pump in a kayak.  As an experiment I purchased the pump and some 
different size batteries.  The pump mentioned from the article (Atwood V450,  
$13.00 at West Marine) weighs only about one or two pounds.  For a tiny 12 
volt motor like this what would the best battery be to use?  The article says 
to use 8 C Nicad batteries, 1.2 volts each, this only adds up to 9.6 volts.  
Would this hurt the motor by using less than twelve volts.  I tried two 6 
volt lantern batteries, the pump was flying.  Then I used a single 9 volt 
battery, this had a bout 3/4 the output and lasted for a 1/2 hour.  I'm going 
to hook up the two 6 volts again two see how long they'll last.  Could some 
one tell me what the real difference are between these batteries.  The 6 
volts are two pound each and I think the 9 volt weighs about one ounce.  I 
filled a bucket with five gallons of water and the tiny little pump emptied 
it in less than one minute!  This could really be worth while in open water.  
But I would still bring a manual pump for backup.  
Jamy
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From: Robert Woodard <woodardr_at_tidalwave.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Electric kayak pump
Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999 22:43:44 -0400
>      Has anyone read the new Sea Kayaker magazine article about using an
> electric pump in a kayak.

Hi Jamy,

See:

http://www.paddlewise.net/topics/boatequip/elecpumps.html

For a previous discussion here about electric bilge pumps. In there, I
mention a gel cell 12v battery. I can now "highly" recommend such a set up.
I moved the battery to the rear hatch and used a boat trailer light quick
disconnect so I can easily install or remove the battery. The battery is
attached by wide velcro on the bottom and one side. I rolled many times last
weekend without the battery coming loose from the velcro.

The battery is about the size of a single 6v lantern battery...

Woody


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From: Joe Pylka <pylka_at_castle.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Electric kayak pump
Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999 22:56:04 -0400
For a tiny 12
>volt motor like this what would the best battery be to use?  The article
says
>to use 8 C Nicad batteries, 1.2 volts each, this only adds up to 9.6 volts.
>Would this hurt the motor by using less than twelve volts.  I tried two 6
>volt lantern batteries, the pump was flying.  Then I used a single 9 volt
>battery, this had a bout 3/4 the output and lasted for a 1/2 hour.  Could
someone
>one tell me what the real difference are between these batteries.  The 6
>volts are two pound each and I think the 9 volt weighs about one ounce
        That weight difference should be telling you something.  A chemical
reaction produces the electricity.  There's just not that much in the usual
9V transistor radio battery.
        You should pay attention to a spec regarding current flow and
battery life, usually in units of mAh or Ah (milliampere hours or ampere
hours).  the 9v battery probably can't put out more than 30 milliamps
adequately.  it's really meant for radios and walkmen, rather than raw power
such as a motor.  Those 6v batteries can produce 'way more current, 500
milliamps to an amp or so.
        NiCds can produce very strong current flow, and that's what's
important for this application.  How about trying 8 Alkaline C or D cells?
They too can push out the current and have a longer life than the
carbon/zinc cells.


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From: Julio MacWilliams <juliom_at_cisco.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] batteries for electric pumps and VHF's
Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 16:12:58 -0700 (PDT)
I have 2 6V lantern batteries connected in series inside a tupperware
box.  

I chose dry batteries instead of the alkaline model because
of the power curve--alkaline batteries sustain the same power output
a long time, and then drop suddenly, while dry batteries from the
very beginning drop slowly to the end.

That way, if my batteries are low, I can tell before I set up for
long trip. The alkaline batteries would fool me by giving  a high power
output, and drop when I needed them the most.

The time span of the power curve of the NiCad batteries shortens
with time, so they will last shorter time the longer they are used.

VHF radios, on the other side, do not work well with low voltages, so
it is important to maintain hight voltage to the end. That is why
VHF radios work better with Alkaline batteries.

something to consider,
- Julio

in response to:
>         NiCds can produce very strong current flow, and that's what's
> important for this application.  How about trying 8 Alkaline C or D cells?
> They too can push out the current and have a longer life than the
> carbon/zinc cells.
> 

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