This is a paddle wheel that turns in the tidal current.
At George's, it doesn't matter whether ebb or flood, the current always
goes left to right as you are viewing the pictures. He is working on
increasing the rpms and is going to put in a gearbox to multiply the
rpms (gear is a salvaged truck rear end).

More later ...

Later ...
Version 2 has a lighter, more efficient paddle wheel attached to one
wheel of a small truck rear axle. Attached to the differential is a 30"
diameter plywood wheel that friction drives a gearbox. From the gearbox
a belt drives a generator. At present the power generated is about 15
watts. Planned modifications should increase this substantially.

030718_02.jpg Sonora Island, BC - 2003 030718_02	030718_05.jpg Sonora Island, BC - 2003 030718_05	030718_06.jpg Sonora Island, BC - 2003 030718_06
030718_15.jpg Sonora Island, BC - 2003 030718_15	030810m_01.jpg Sonora Island, BC - 2003 George and his new tide generator (vers. 2.0)	030810m_03.jpg Sonora Island, BC - 2003 George and his new tide generator (vers. 2.0)
030814m_09.jpg Sonora Island, BC - 2003 The new paddel wheel turning in the flood tide	030814m_12.jpg Sonora Island, BC - 2003 Same, George in background	030814p_05.jpg Sonora Island, BC - 2003 Paddle wheel, drive wheel, gearbox, generator
030821_05.jpg Sonora Island, BC - 2003 New V-belt installed