On Thu, 02 Feb 2006 09:40:26 -0500, Larry wrote:

"Roger Long" wrote in news:ZTlEf.6124$bU6.389
:


Instead of running the diesel for hours to recharge the house batteries
from 1% of its wasted power just waiting for lead and acid to replate the
lead plates, the new battery will charge at the full output hp the diesel
can produce, the new battery now waiting for the engine, not the other
way around. Diesel-electric propulsion will also use the prop's traction
motors as generators to recharge the batteries with every available hp
under sail....

Now you're talking! A genset and a modded Solomon, with these nanotube
babies instead of 14 house batteries and another ton of lead and acid
to haul around.

Larry, do you know if all that microscopic surface area equals a high
mass and/or density? Not that it's likely to be an issue: if these
lithium/nanotube batteries have the same weight and dimensions as
lead-acid, the ability to rapidly charge alone would find them a ready
market.

R.