Fun New Project: 100 Lbs Of Thrust In A 10 Lb Scooter

[bmazin]

This is a compact underwater scooter I am calling the ScramJet. It is a 10 lb (!) variable speed scooter with a folding prop that you can easily strap to your dive gear when not in use. If you need to get out of dodge, unstrap it and mash the throttle for 100 lbs of thrust for ~6 minutes. So far this is a (patent pending!) prototype, made mostly to see how far we could push the power/weight ratio on a scooter - 10:1 isn't too bad! It is pretty fun, in a rip the mask right off your face kind of way. I'm leaning on not taking it past the prototype stage...

 

[The Chairman]

2 phreakin phun! Thanks for sharing.

 

[JohnnyC]

That looks fun!!!

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

IF you're not going to prototype it, post DIY instructions, please!!

 

[PeterNBiddle]

That things awesome. I agree, post your build if you're not going commercial!

 

[lucca brassi]

Nice work

 

[herman]

I'm curious, how did you determine the thrust is 100 lbs?

 

[lucca brassi]

http://www.tahoebenchmark.com/pdfs/2009/DPVBollardPullv2.pdf ?

 

[herman]

That is interesting but it shows how it should be done....not how it was done on this one....bottom line, the numbers don't jive. Using rough numbers from trolling motors, each pound of thrust needs around 1 amp at 12 volts....if this unit does produce 100 lbs of thrust, it will need a battery and control system capable of handing that much current....that is a lot in such a small package.
Even if the unit is capable of that much thrust, it would be almost impossible to hold on to.

 

[snowdog61]

so tie it off to a tethered fish scale - might not give you and exact number but it should be good to a few lbs.