Hello,
I teach 8th grade Science in Yakima, WA and have a project in mind for next year that I thought I would run by the forum. My students do not get to the saltwater very often and are very disconnected from that environment so I am trying to bring the boating environment to them through 12 volt technology. I would like to set up a suite of 12v electronics, lights, appliances and instruments for students to install, operate and monitor. I'd like to have them gain an understanding of what can be done with 12v systems and thought that our uses of 12v as cruisers would fit this project very well. I have a 12V 400 watt Airex wind generator and 90 watts of solar panels to charge the batteries we will use to power the system. My knowledge of electrical design is limited and I know there are many others with much more expertise in this area. That is where I am looking for help to design a system for students to install, monitor and run while learning about 12v systems. I have not decided on exactly what I will have there, but am in contact with Furuno to get a radar unit to install, will be looking for an instrument cluster, already have some DC lighting, but will look for led lighting, would like to have radio, and weather and am also looking to see if there is some computer software that would be applicable in this situation.
I know this sounds a little vague, but it is in a very early stage of planning. I just finished building an 8' X 12' building to house it at our school. I'm thinking I cam make it look like the interior of a boat to give it a simulator feel. I have a friend in Bellingham that use to teach here and is part of the Coast Guard Auxillary that will help me outfit it with Coast Guard items to give it some life.
Any ideas? I am planning on working on this over the summer to begin implementing it in September.
Thanks,
I teach 8th grade Science in Yakima, WA and have a project in mind for next year that I thought I would run by the forum. My students do not get to the saltwater very often and are very disconnected from that environment so I am trying to bring the boating environment to them through 12 volt technology. I would like to set up a suite of 12v electronics, lights, appliances and instruments for students to install, operate and monitor. I'd like to have them gain an understanding of what can be done with 12v systems and thought that our uses of 12v as cruisers would fit this project very well. I have a 12V 400 watt Airex wind generator and 90 watts of solar panels to charge the batteries we will use to power the system. My knowledge of electrical design is limited and I know there are many others with much more expertise in this area. That is where I am looking for help to design a system for students to install, monitor and run while learning about 12v systems. I have not decided on exactly what I will have there, but am in contact with Furuno to get a radar unit to install, will be looking for an instrument cluster, already have some DC lighting, but will look for led lighting, would like to have radio, and weather and am also looking to see if there is some computer software that would be applicable in this situation.
I know this sounds a little vague, but it is in a very early stage of planning. I just finished building an 8' X 12' building to house it at our school. I'm thinking I cam make it look like the interior of a boat to give it a simulator feel. I have a friend in Bellingham that use to teach here and is part of the Coast Guard Auxillary that will help me outfit it with Coast Guard items to give it some life.
Any ideas? I am planning on working on this over the summer to begin implementing it in September.
Thanks,