Introducing RJWS

RJWS · 03-04-2006, 12:29 PM

G'day you lot! I'm a retired (well, sort of) engineer. I started in electronics, moved to computers and have been working with aircraft (20 years RAAF) then business computers for twenty five years. I've taught at TAFE, designed software (last four years), run an electronics factory I built up from scratch but mainly I invent things. Currently working on a solar powered airconditioner; a towable, solar powered house boat; a solar powered water purifier and over-ride brakes for a trailer that work in either direction, forward or reverse. I just finished a software suite for renewable energy installations to allow remote monitoring with a conventional PC.
I've always had a fascination with gyros, but three friends died trying to get them to work in the early sixties. This tended to put me off then. These days, every new day is a bonus, so what the hell! I might give it a try. Recently I've experimented with ultra-lightweight sandwich construction and would like to try building a monocoque gyro with a bonded foam-sandwich format. I think it would be stronger and lighter. Anyone got any opinions about this form of structure?
Ron

BeefBear · 03-04-2006, 08:38 PM

Ron, any idea of the weight and stength characteristics? What material do you propose to contruct with? How does it age with weather, sun and time?

Ted

Not sure, yet, Ted. I've built some test pieces using 1.5mm three ply and 50mm hard foam core and destroyed them ot see how much they could take. One of the carbonfibre/ply/foam panels took 225 kg to crack, but my epoxy skills are not too hot, yet. The panel was 1.2m long, 50mmx50mm with way too much epoxy but it weighed in at 110gms. It looks promising if I can find someone who can teach me how to use that d____d epoxy properly.
Ron

Echo 2 · 04-04-2006, 06:12 PM

Interesting resume there RJWS

Check these two Windryders out , Forbes '95 , I am not sure how they were constructed but may give you some ideas

Hoo roo
Eric

THAT's the sort of thing I had in mind. I like nice pretty curves.
Ron

Birdy2 · 04-04-2006, 10:53 PM

"Currently working on a solar powered airconditioner"

I got solar powered everythn ere now, including an aircon, so if you want any pointers

We have a solar-powered clothes-dryer, too! (clothesline) Actually, what I'm building doesn't need electricity at all - just the sun's heat. The hotter it gets the more it cools. As a by-product, it provides chilled, distilled water in small quantities. I save that for my batteries.
I'm one of those silly people who chose to generate my own solar electricity, even though I had access to the local electricity grid. It is serving me well. I sell the excess back to Western Power and get enough to cover my rates and water with free electricity a bonus on top. I cheer everytime the greedy state government ups the power prices. Now if I could just figure a way to get free telephone and internet access....but pigs might fly!
Ron

Birdy2 · 06-04-2006, 03:04 PM

????????????????????????????
Wot gives ere Rotor?
That last post in my name ISN"T my post.

Only the first line is wot i posted, and everyone can tell by the spelln that the second paragragh isn't my speek.

rotor · 06-04-2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdy

????????????????????????????
Wot gives ere Rotor?
That last post in my name ISN"T my post.

Only the first line is wot i posted, and everyone can tell by the spelln that the second paragragh isn't my speek.

I do remember that the second part of your post was a reply from Ron to your post about the air-con ..... mmm interesting .... like both posts have been joined somehow ... Ill look into it - we'll leave it like it is for the moment (sorry mate - everyone'll think you've graduated night classes at kindy

)

There is the ability to join posts but it is only available to moderators and me .... and I certainly haven't touched it ... may be a glitch in the system somewhere ...

Geoff

RJWS · 07-04-2006, 07:35 PM

Sorry Birdy!!! I thought it polite to reply individually to each of you, so I sent my replies back attached to your original messages. Dint meanta tred on enny tows!
RJWS

RJWS · 07-04-2006, 07:41 PM

Rotor ... I used the "Modify" button to edit my comments into the original message. Sorry if I broke some unwritten rule!!
RJWS

NB: This comment was inserted into this message after the fact using the "Modify" button

And this is a further 'modification' after the fact of the first 'mod'!

rotor · 07-04-2006, 07:53 PM

Ron,

Had me thinking there until I saw your reply to birdy ....

My fault, I just hadn't seen that option in permissions ... had it set to allow people to edit replies to posts in topics they had started ... not a problem, all fixed .....

Hadn't noticed it as it's always an option for admin .... guess I'll have to log in more often under an alias when checking things ....

thanks Ron,

Geoff

BeefBear · 07-04-2006, 08:50 PM

Any day now my second post to this issue will pop up on the screen....... maybe........ I know.... there's an option to delete my posts......