[Lowfer] Great idea for experimenting...

Wed, 17 Apr 2002 18:12:08 -0400

Paul,

Yes, but power is really a unit of work-capability vs time. So although the
"chip" wins on instantaneous power, the "tot" would clearly win on total
power vs  mass or power vs weight which is how power-density is stipulated,
same as any battery specification.

Also I forgot to mention the perfect power source for those QRP'ers on a
budget: The shoestring potato.

Mark W1EOF

PS: We've had some really wonderful and thought-provoking debates recently
on antenna and ground system design. I hope this enthusiasm is not going to
carry over into the "Great Potato Debate of 2002". Tots rule.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of PC
> Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 4:59 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Lowfer] Great idea for experimenting...
>
>
> Mark,
>
> Very interesting bit of history.  Thanks for sharing it with us.
>  I have to take issue however with the following statement you made.
>
> Idaho came up with what turned out to be the ultimate in
> power-density: the
> > "tot.
>
> Several other companies to best of my knowledge have been able to process
> the unit size even smaller.
> They call there patented device a "chip"  This chip yields an effective
> surface area of many time that of the "TOT" allowing much greater
> instantaneous  current capability,  but this comes at the expense
> of  total
> amp hours.
>
> The layman might characterize the relationship  being much like that of a
> car battery where lot of current(surface area) is needed for starting
> purposes.  Where as the "TOT" you mention may be looked upon as a marine
> deep cycle battery with its ability to supply lower currents for longer
> periods of time.
>
> One additional not the same surface area enhancement technique
> you mentioned
> is now being employed by some manufacucterers on an experimental basis.
> This process is crudely manufacturers to as "Ruffling"
>
> Thank you for time
>
>
> Paul A. Cianciolo MSPP
> Director Alternate power lab
> Research and development sector
> Spudtronics Inc.
> Oreida,  Maine
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mark W1EOF" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 1:26 PM
> Subject: RE: [Lowfer] Great idea for experimenting...
>
>
> > I heard that the French did a lot of experimenting with this technology
> back
> > in the 40's. Evidently they found that performace was considerably
> enhanced
> > by slicing the potatos into long, square slices and sealing the outer
> > surfaces by heating them in an oil bath. Very much like
> quenching steel in
> > oil to temper the outer surfaces.
> >
> > Of course the U.S. then countered with the now-famous "krinkle-cut" with
> > it's optimized surface area. Finally scientists working in a
> secret lab in
> > Idaho came up with what turned out to be the ultimate in power-density:
> the
> > "tot".
> >
> > Keep up the good work, and keep us informed. There may still be
> areas for
> a
> > breakthrough.
> >
> > Mark W1EOF
> >
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: [email protected]
> > > [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of WE0H
> > > Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2002 11:51 PM
> > > To: [email protected]
> > > Subject: [Lowfer] Great idea for experimenting...
> > > Importance: High
> > >
> > >
> > > A friend of mine and of others here has done some experiments with
> potato
> > > batteries powering a Lowfer transmitter. Is anyone else game for
> > > trying out
> > > this experiment??? It could add a new twist to Lowfer operations.
> > > I was told
> > > that each potato cell produced about 1/2 volt at 1ma output. Potatoes
> are
> > > cheep so this could be fun & low cost. If you got discouraged
> > > midway through
> > > the experiment, you could always slice up the rest of the bag and add
> some
> > > onions and then fry them up for a yummy treat. Hi Hi. Ideas, comments,
> > > suggestions & flames are welcome of course.
> > > 73's,
> > > Mike>WE0H
> > > http://www.geocities.com/we0h/lf.html
> > >
> > >
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