Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Re: [Electric Boats] Re: New Project: I Frances

 

more links 
 
 
 

From: Carter Quillen <twowheelinguy@yahoo.com>
To: "electricboats@yahoogroups.com" <electricboats@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, 9 November 2011, 22:49
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Re: New Project: I Frances

 
Dan,
 
The current density on amorphous panels like the flexible ones is way too low for dedicated solar boating. You can get over twice as much energy per sq.ft. with monocrystaline and some are durable enough to walk on although the manufacturers don't recommend it. Although you can find monocrystaline panels as high as 16% eff or mor, you can get good prices on stuff in the 12-14% range. Amorphous usually comes in about 5-6% when new and will degrade quickly.  You will want to mount every square inch of panel you can that will get every amp of electricity possible and you still won't have as much as you really need. 8-6V golf cart batteries makes a very cost effective storage bank and I would recommend spending the extra money for an MPPT type charge controller for the solar array.
 
There is a raging debate over voltage. Higher voltage means smaller wire and some other efficiency advantages. Keeping things below 48V is inherently safer and if you're considering golf cart technology, that's a popular voltage. Personally I think the high voltages would be fine if done right but any mistakes could be fatal and having a steel boat won't help. I would also hesitate to configure my solar array to deliver anything over 48V if I'm going to be in a marine environment with continuous motion and salt spray.
 
Check out www.slowboatcruise.com. He converted a canal boat to a solar/diesel hybrid and cruised about half the great loop on solar power. For low cost supplies check out http://www.evdrives.com/kits_conversion.html, www.electricmotorsport.com, www.cloudelectric.com, www.sunelec.com. 
 
Even though more power is usually better, you should be able to push that boat quite well with about a nominal 10kW motor, I would say anything from 8-12 would get you to town just fine, considering they use to move those boats around with two mules. Look for a motor with high torque ratings. Since your "Canal" boat is not built for ANY kind of heavy weather, sizing for calm weather is reasonable. I wouldn't take a boat like that out of calm water if I had a 60hp diesel in it. All of the the different electric motors can usually deliver twice their continuous rated hp for 30-60 seconds so if you have to brake hard you should be able to stop quicker than it took you to get up to speed. 
 
Good luck.   
 
Carter

From: Mark Lockley <lockleymark1@yahoo.co.uk>
To: "electricboats@yahoogroups.com" <electricboats@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 9, 2011 7:10 AM
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Re: New Project: I Frances



Hi
 
why not check out the aurinco semi flexible walk on panels.

From: Keith Russell <mooncat_2005@operamail.com>
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, 9 November 2011, 19:52
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Re: New Project: I Frances

 
I would think that electric drive would be very suitable for a narrowboat, it is what I am planning for my boat.  But solar panels on the cabin top is more of a problem.  The available width is nearer 3 to 4 feet, but they would be vulnerable when in lock chambers, and when boat-hooks and bicycles are carried.  But the biggest snag is that canals frequently run in valleys and with overhanging trees, not to mention two-mile long tunnels.  So I shall go for a bank of batteries enough for a day's cruising, with a generator, and top up charging at boatyards on the way.
--
Keith Russell
 
On Wednesday, November 09, 2011 10:14 AM, "Carel Ruysink" <c.ruysink@hetnet.nl> wrote:
 
 
As far as I can remember this is the first time I see Eric misreading a post.
Dan is talking about a narrow boat. A boat type used on english canals. They are 7 feet wide to fit in 19th century british locks. See Wikipedia =narrow boat=.
British canals are also very shallow so their speed is very low, thus you do only need very little power. Traditionally you would put in a single cylinder low revving "thumping" diesel. I think 10 hp would very good do
These boats have lots of rooftop (ca 40x5 feet) for solar panels but my guess is that for travelling for hours day in, day out you need a generator for additional support but there are here a number of people who can do the correct math, I believe.
 
Carel
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Eric
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2011 9:41 AM
Subject: [Electric Boats] Re: New Project: I Frances
 
 
Hi Dan,

Based on the information that you've provided, your last question is the easiest to answer. The basic rule of thumb for electric motor size for sailing auxiliaries is 1kW per ton of displacement. So you should look for a 15kW (20hp) motor, this should provide enough power to get you out of tight spots when you need to and isn't so big that you'll be wasting your capacity. Your boat should be woefully underpowered with an 8hp diesel. I'm sure tht you can move the boat in benign conditions, heck, I could move your boat by towing it while doing breaststroke, but that isn't going to help if you've got any sort of breeze blowing while you're in a marina or trying to enter a harbor.

However, 15 tons sounds light for a 54' steel sailboat. I've seen a few that displace twice that.

For a boat your size, I would expect that a reliable electric drive including batteries (but no generator or solar panels) will cost at least $10,000, probably more. But if low cost is your highest priority, I would suggest looking for a used diesel engine, you might be able to buy one for the price of a 30kWh battery bank. That size bank should give your light 54' boat a usable range of about 10nm at full throttle (about 8kts) or 25nm at 6kts, 40nm at 5kts and 65nm at 4kts.

Fair winds,
Eric
Marina del Rey, CA

--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "Dan" <daneltravieso@...> wrote:
>
> Hi there. I'm new to this group and new to the concept of electric propulsion - but what a great idea! I've just bought a 54' 15 ton steel v-hulled narrow boat with a noisy and smokey old Yanmar 8 hp diesel auxiliary yacht engine - it's badly mounted, blocking access to the engine room and the noise and vibration make the interior of the boat uninhabitable during cruising. So the sooner I get rid of that and replace it with a small silent electric motor the better.
> I want this boat to run primarily on solar panels but will have a back up generator for extended range and cloud (!)
> Any links/suggestions?
> The marine electric propulsion motors are prohibitively expensive. Where do you look for cheap or second hand options? (eg. golf carts etc)
> What size motor would I need for this weight and hull?
> I have many questions but I better stop there for now!
> Thanks, Dan.
>
 
 
 
--  http://www.fastmail.fm - The professional email service








__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
MARKETPLACE

Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now.

.

__,_._,___
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)