Converting a boat to electricity

Converting a boat to electricity

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Discussion

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

85,147 posts

264 months

Sunday 16th September 2018
quotequote all
(you know what I mean!)

27' GRP cabin cruiser, currently powered by 40hp inboard diesel. It's noisy and vulnerable to weed clogging.

Top speed required is 7mph (normal cruising speed 4-6mph), and enough power for a weekend trip - say 12 hours' cruising between charges.

Possible? And if so how much and where to get the bits?

(If the motor needs to be water-cooled that would spoil the plans a bit though)

ST565NP

553 posts

81 months

MB140

4,027 posts

102 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
Couple on YouTube from USA using a Tesla motor and battery bank conversion on there yacht.

Learning the lines is there channel name I think. Although they are just starting the conversion but it does look like it’s going down the route of a bodge it job though but I will have to wait and see.

In theory it seems like a good idea if you can charge the batteries from solar, wind generator and towed generator and keep it all dry and functioning in a marine environment.

bluesatin

3,114 posts

271 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
This is what you need.

https://www.vetus.com/en/vetus-electric-drive-2-2-...

or this


http://www.nauticexpo.com/cat/outboard-inboard-eng...


Edited by bluesatin on Monday 17th September 07:03

NeilB12

66 posts

177 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
I cannot remember his name but there a gent on the Norfolk Broads Net forum who converted an Elysian 27 to electric. Might be worth posting a question there.

peterperkins

3,147 posts

241 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
In a home conversion I would say keep the system voltage low 48V or so.

You will need to work out how much power kw you need to push your boat at it's cruising speed and calculate kwh capacity of batteries reqd.

Get a rugged industrial air cooled motor and controller package.

Use old EV batteries leaf etc... To cruise for 12hrs is quite a big ask , so say your boat uses 6kw then you will need an 80kwh pack..

48v pv and wind generator stuff is all over e-bay so fit as small pv/wind system to keep it all charged up when not in use.
Presumably it will be days between jaunts..

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
The boatyard I used to work at had a tug converted to electricity running old milk float batteries and motor. Worked absolutely brilliantly. This was 15 years ago though so it has probably been replaced since then. It can be done though.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
ST565NP said:
That looks wonderful.

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

85,147 posts

264 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
Thanks folks - I should point out that the boat is inland, and the marina has shore power, so recharging isn't an issue.

The Elysian 27 is very close so that would be worth pursuing. Also the Vetus link; my boat has quite a few Vetus bits.

Apparently 40hp is 30Kw... so if my sums are right that Vetus 2.2kW motor is only 3hp - that can't be right surely? Another website says 'The Oceanvolt AXC series is a modular system available in four power configurations 10kW, 20kW, 30kW or 40kW; the latter of these provides power to the equivalent of up to 100hp'. In which case I'd need 16kW...

PS That NauticExpo link looks very interesting; it's clear I need someone with experience to help me pick my way through the jungle. Unfortunately I don't think there are any!

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 17th September 09:49

NickCQ

5,392 posts

95 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
The new RAN Fast 40 racing yacht built by Carringtons in Hythe has an electric engine. I wonder what system they used.

bazza white

3,550 posts

127 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
MB140 said:
Couple on YouTube from USA using a Tesla motor and battery bank conversion on there yacht.

Learning the lines is there channel name I think. Although they are just starting the conversion but it does look like it’s going down the route of a bodge it job though but I will have to wait and see.

In theory it seems like a good idea if you can charge the batteries from solar, wind generator and towed generator and keep it all dry and functioning in a marine environment.
Sailing uma also using one on theirs.

bluesatin

3,114 posts

271 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
Perhaps this http://www.hushcraft.com/

regards from soon to change my login name from bluesatin to Thrustpilot!


No association with the company other than they have a picture of my boat!


Simpo Two

Original Poster:

85,147 posts

264 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
bluesatin said:
I found that but they seem to be hybrid systems, ie they retain the original engine.

IforB

9,840 posts

228 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
bluesatin said:
I found that but they seem to be hybrid systems, ie they retain the original engine.
Hushcraft do both. I would know, I took the picture of Bluesatin's boat...

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

85,147 posts

264 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
IforB said:
Simpo Two said:
bluesatin said:
I found that but they seem to be hybrid systems, ie they retain the original engine.
Hushcraft do both. I would know, I took the picture of Bluesatin's boat...
Maybe they do, but how do I deduce that from their website? http://www.hushcraft.com/thrustpilot/

So they miss a possible sale!


Many of these websites seem to be a page of guff, a CGI image of a boat - and no actual real life examples at all!

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 17th September 22:52

IforB

9,840 posts

228 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
IforB said:
Simpo Two said:
bluesatin said:
I found that but they seem to be hybrid systems, ie they retain the original engine.
Hushcraft do both. I would know, I took the picture of Bluesatin's boat...
How do I deduce that from their website? http://www.hushcraft.com/thrustpilot/


Many of these websites seem to be a page of guff, an CGI image of a boat - and no actual real life examples at all!

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 17th September 22:41
So you looked at the top of one page? Try the rest of it. I'll let them know your feedback, but If you are interested in having a chat to the very experienced engineers there, then give them a call.

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

85,147 posts

264 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
I clicked on Products.

Happy to talk if they can provide a complete kit to electrify a 27' cabin cruiser.

As for Projects, the first two are hybrid, the third is about mapping the ocean floor.

IforB

9,840 posts

228 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
I clicked on Products.

Happy to talk if they can provide a complete kit to electrify a 27' cabin cruiser.
Yes they can. Give Ben a call on the office number and say that Ifor put you in touch.

Simpo Two

Original Poster:

85,147 posts

264 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
Will do - just realised I know his father! Thanks Ifor.

Steve_D

13,737 posts

257 months

Monday 17th September 2018
quotequote all
bluesatin said:
Perhaps this http://www.hushcraft.com/

regards from soon to change my login name from bluesatin to Thrustpilot!


No association with the company other than they have a picture of my boat!
Hello Guy how's things.
So is Eva May yours?

Steve