Thread: Expedition IT

Hi Michael,

I'd suggest you start by determining your maximum power requirements by looking at the wattage drawn by each appliance and the number of appliances you will use simultaneously. I believe by law, all electrical devices must indicate a power rating. Standard laptops normally run at 60W or 70W. If the power is indicated in Amps, use the following formula to convert to watts:

Volts x Amps = Watts

Once you have a figure on your total requirements I'd suggest you buy something that can handle slightly more than you require. This will avoid unexpected failures.

You also need to determine how long you can run the inverter before you need to recharge the battery. This can be determined with the following formula:

Battery Amp Hours x 9/Watts
for example, a standard car battery with 75 amp hours will power a 60 watt fan for approximately 11 hours - 75 x 9 / 60 = 11.3

Inverters are also available in Modified Sine Wave or Pure Sine Wave. Unless you run delicate electrical equipment there really is no need for Pure Sine Wave .. they are also more expensive.

You will find for battery chargers, laptops, small fans, lights, camera chargers etc. .. a 300W to 500W inverter will do the job just fine. I'd go for the 500W just to be on the safe side.

Here is a list of average appliance ratings:

Appliance Average rating (Watts)

Blender 400
Bread maker 500
Circular saw 800 - 1350
Computer - desktop 150 - 350
Computer - Laptop 50
Deep freeze 400
Drill 400 - 600
Fan 60
Fluoro light 40
Food mixer 500
Fridge 300
Fridge - bar 80
Fridge - Engels 60
Hair dryer 1000 -1500
Jigsaw 220
Light bulb 60
Microwave small 800
Microwave 1300
Orbital sander 220
Phone charger 20
Radio 15
Router 1200
Steam iron 1300
Stereo 80
Toaster 1000
TV 14" 70
TV 19" 85
Vacuum cleaner 1000
VCR 35
Washing machine 600

Hope this helps...

Henry.

Originally posted by Michael2
Helpful hints are required to fit out a lap top and PDA for expeditions.

Which versions of what programs would you recommend and what Freeware is available.

Features wanted are :

GPS (Flashcard type with external aerial option - I think)
Mapping
CDMA internet access for email, web searches (weather radar etc), voice over net international phone calling. Handy for remote areas where data travels better than voice on the CDMA.
Music (recording & playing to/from HDD)
Movies (recording & playing to/from HDD)
Photography (saving, editing, sending digital photos)
Video (saving, editing, sending from digital camera)
RAVE manual on HDD

What power invertor would you use? Are there differant types, or can I just buy a 300W for charging Computer & Phone batteries?

Can I fit a webcam to a model remote control helicopter or plane and use it for aerial surveillence of tracks further ahead? Can someone at home log onto the helicopter and fly it while I drive and send me back images and voice and text? Do webcams come with Infra red for search missions? Can the helicopter also have GPS tracking and locating? Can it also stop and hover whenever Windows crashes, until it hears back from me? Okay, Okay - the remote aerial device is a bit rich - what about logging onto some satellites ......... :roll:

I know it can be done. Who's done it? What programs have you used? Which ones would you recommend?

1. Use Oziexplorer. Buy it. No decent freeware is available.

2. Get a device which plugs into the laptop's speaker output and broadcasts FM, then tune your radio in. Best way to play MP3s.

3. Any basic laptop will do the photography and RAVE work, but get one with a CD-R.

4. I wouldn't bother trying to edit video on the move, too much hassle and you need serious power, leave it till you get back.

5. Webcam on helicopter; yes, but better to use a specialist one as opposed to a webcam, which is designed for indoor use and TCP/IP.

6. Can track your helo via GPS, yes. Would probably require a custom build solution, but possible.

Originally posted by Henry
Here is a list of average appliance ratings:

Appliance Average rating (Watts)

Circular saw 800 - 1350
Drill 400 - 600

So much for the mobile workworking shop

Microwave small 800
Microwave 1300
Toaster 1000

Best stick to gas or campfires, I think

Steam iron 1300
Hair dryer 1000 -1500

Well, who are you trying to look beautiful for, out there ?

Vacuum cleaner 1000
Washing machine 600

The campsite will just have to stay dirty.
Perhaps a brush and a tub of suds.....

Vlad,
Here is the remote helicopter with optional infared camera available. Search around on the site- in the past I have downloaded video's of the helo's capabilities and they are pretty awesome. Cheers
Pullsy

http://www.hobbytron.net/dragan_flyer_lll_...helicopter.html

Originally posted by pullsy
Vlad,
Here is the remote helicopter with optional infared camera available. Search around on the site- in the past I have downloaded video's of the helo's capabilities and they are pretty awesome. Cheers
Pullsy

http://www.hobbytron.net/dragan_flye...elicopter.html

Hmm interesting. I spent hours and many dollars learning to fly (and crash) model R/C helicopters. I've still got them but don't fly any more.

One day I'll get back into it.

I doubt a conventional model helicopter would be stable enough for this application without lots of sophisticated electronics to help out.

Ron

Just to keep you updated on my research.
I've got a borrowed / shared copy of oziexplorer on the laptop and will buy a CE version for the PDA.
I'll get a flashcard GPS as it will suit both laptop & PDA.
I'll try to get an invertor at about 600W, I still don't know enough about sine waves etc. I'll use an Odessey sealed lead acid battery as the second battery for the invertor. A 650CCA Odessey is the size of a brick (will fit behind the seats or under the passender floor) they use them as an auxillary battery in ambulances at work, and they're able to start a 6litre diesel!!!. If I can afford it, I'll get 2 ($300ea) and then the N70Z can come out of my tool box!!
Codan have a modem for email over HF, which might be an effective way to get detailed messages out in areas or times of poor voice reception.

As for my hair-brain helicopter scheme, a mates decided that if we do the Simpson next year, he'll buy a RC helicopter with camera!!!

Any ideas are welcome.