"Paul E. Schoen" <pstech@smart.net> wrote:

Supercapacitors are available, such as Maxwell BPAP1200 – E270, which are
1200 F at 2.7 V. Ten in series gives you 120 F at 27 volts, and energy
storage of 43,000 W-Sec, or 50 seconds run time at 800 watts. They cost
about $46 each.

Do you have a link to more on those?
Google's only references to "BPAP1200" are archived copies of your post.

Lostgallifreyan wrote:
"Paul E. Schoen" <pstech@smart.net> wrote:

Supercapacitors are available, such as Maxwell BPAP1200 – E270,
which are 1200 F at 2.7 V. Ten in series gives you 120 F at 27
volts, and energy storage of 43,000 W-Sec, or 50 seconds run time at
800 watts. They cost about $46 each.

Do you have a link to more on those?
Google's only references to "BPAP1200" are archived copies of your
post.

It's probably a typo, try BCAP1200-E270 or "boostcap ultracapacitor".

Better yet, The 3000F version.
http://www.maxwell.com/ultracapacitors/products/large-cell/bcap3000.asp

Anthony

I had a similar idea to build a small railway on my property which would
be used to bring down firewood from the top of a hill (about 50'
elevation). I figured I could run it for free, or maybe get extra energy,
by using the potential energy of the wood.

I had a similar idea to build a small railway on my property which would be
used to bring down firewood from the top of a hill (about 50' elevation). I
figured I could run it for free, or maybe get extra energy, by using the
potential energy of the wood. Probably it would not be economically worth
the effort, but the cool fun factor made it something I wanted to try.
Having batteries in the vehicle seemed to be a null factor, except that it
required bigger motors or slower gearing, and maybe more rolling
resistance. I also considered electrifying the rails, or using an overhead
hot line, but it would only be efficient at voltages much higher than would
be safe.

build a small railway on my property which would be used to bring down
firewood from the top of a hill (about 50' elevation)...

"Paul E. Schoen" <pstech@smart.net> wrote in
news:465c83f4$0$16279$ecde5a14@news.coretel.net:

Supercapacitors are available, such as Maxwell BPAP1200 – E270, which
are
1200 F at 2.7 V. Ten in series gives you 120 F at 27 volts, and energy
storage of 43,000 W-Sec, or 50 seconds run time at 800 watts. They cost
about $46 each.


Do you have a link to more on those?
Google's only references to "BPAP1200" are archived copies of your post.

On Tue, 29 May 2007 15:46:59 -0400, Paul E. Schoen wrote:

I had a similar idea to build a small railway on my property which would
be
used to bring down firewood from the top of a hill (about 50'
elevation). I
figured I could run it for free, or maybe get extra energy, by using the
potential energy of the wood. Probably it would not be economically
worth
the effort, but the cool fun factor made it something I wanted to try.
Having batteries in the vehicle seemed to be a null factor, except that
it
required bigger motors or slower gearing, and maybe more rolling
resistance. I also considered electrifying the rails, or using an
overhead
hot line, but it would only be efficient at voltages much higher than
would
be safe.

So, how did it work out? What did you finally end up with?

Thanks,
Rich

"Rich Grise" <rich@example.net> wrote in message
On Tue, 29 May 2007 15:46:59 -0400, Paul E. Schoen wrote:

I had a similar idea to build a small railway on my property which would
be
used to bring down firewood from the top of a hill (about 50'
elevation). I
figured I could run it for free, or maybe get extra energy, by using the
potential energy of the wood. Probably it would not be economically
worth
the effort, but the cool fun factor made it something I wanted to try.
Having batteries in the vehicle seemed to be a null factor, except that
it
required bigger motors or slower gearing, and maybe more rolling
resistance. I also considered electrifying the rails, or using an
overhead
hot line, but it would only be efficient at voltages much higher than
would
be safe.

So, how did it work out? What did you finally end up with?

I found it was too big a project and I had other things to do, so all I
have is a collection of parts and a crude prototype for testing steel
V-groove wheels on a track made of pipe. I decided to try using a single
rail because it would be much easier to lay, and pipe (EMT conduit) would
be very easy to bend, and very cheap. I added "outrigger" rubber wheels to
keep the contraption from falling over. It basically "worked" but the
V-groove wheels slipped a lot. Now I am trying to do more with an AC motor
controller so I can use 3 phase motors with better speed/torque control. I
might make an electric lawn tractor. I can get just about all the wood I
have cut in a few loads in my pickup truck.

There is an electric wheelbarrow that might do the job as well, although it
might be awkward to control, and the rail train would still be way cool.
Live steam, powered by wood, would be the most fun.

On Tue, 05 Jun 2007 03:21:04 -0400, Paul E. Schoen wrote:
"Rich Grise" <rich@example.net> wrote in message
On Tue, 29 May 2007 15:46:59 -0400, Paul E. Schoen wrote:

I had a similar idea to build a small railway on my property which
would
be
used to bring down firewood from the top of a hill (about 50'
elevation). I
figured I could run it for free, or maybe get extra energy, by using
the
potential energy of the wood. Probably it would not be economically
worth
the effort, but the cool fun factor made it something I wanted to try.
Having batteries in the vehicle seemed to be a null factor, except
that
it
required bigger motors or slower gearing, and maybe more rolling
resistance. I also considered electrifying the rails, or using an
overhead
hot line, but it would only be efficient at voltages much higher than
would
be safe.

So, how did it work out? What did you finally end up with?

I found it was too big a project and I had other things to do, so all I
have is a collection of parts and a crude prototype for testing steel
V-groove wheels on a track made of pipe. I decided to try using a single
rail because it would be much easier to lay, and pipe (EMT conduit)
would
be very easy to bend, and very cheap. I added "outrigger" rubber wheels
to
keep the contraption from falling over. It basically "worked" but the
V-groove wheels slipped a lot. Now I am trying to do more with an AC
motor
controller so I can use 3 phase motors with better speed/torque control.
I
might make an electric lawn tractor. I can get just about all the wood I
have cut in a few loads in my pickup truck.

There is an electric wheelbarrow that might do the job as well, although
it
might be awkward to control, and the rail train would still be way cool.
Live steam, powered by wood, would be the most fun.

You should find a carny that's on its last legs/going out of business,
and offer to take their little kiddie train ride off their hands for
cheap. ;-)

(I'm sure you've seen them if you've ever been to a carny - about 12"
or 15" gauge rails, holds a grownup on the engine and maybe a dozen
kids - Hey, there are some here, as low as $13,875.00 =:-O
http://www.bmigaming.com/games-kiddy-rides-trains.htm
first hit (of "about 249,000") on:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=kiddie+train+ride

Cheers!
Rich