Dear Jeff,
Consider that electric boats preceded ICE powered boats by thirty years, albeit they were a bit crude by today's e-boat standards.
I've converted two Catalina 30's for a day charter fleet, and they're the first boats reserved. The club members love them, their wives and guests can be below decks while motoring. There's no exhaust stink, no oily discharge, no black smudge on the stern. With modern technology, the proverbial "Break Out Another Thousand" for engine repairs becomes a thing of the past. While I cannot speak for other manufacturers, the Advanced Marine direct drive motor can be fully submerged in hot brine and will operate as normal. The controller electronics are fully potted and sealed, the contactor is sealed, and all control electronics are mil-spec and wash-down rated.
One early install had an interesting problem. The original aging Universal dripped so much oil that the drain hole in the engine stringer insert was plugged to keep the bilge clean. When the electric motor was installed, the daily clean-ups stopped, allowing the slow drip from the packing gland to fill the space between the stringers to the point of overflowing. This water was then picked up by the shaft-mounted cooling fan during operation, and distributed throughout the motor compartment in a fine spray. This occurred daily for months on end, as our electric propulsion systems require no maintenance. A battery charger malfunction finally gave cause for inspection. The motor and controller were covered in salt crystals as the ocean water evaporated from the hot surfaces. Clean up was no problem. They hosed out the motor compartment with fresh hot water, dissolving the salt. The overheating charger was vented, the drain hole plug drilled out, and the boat went back into service. To this end, I recommend you consider a non-vented, totally enclosed motor.
In consideration of other manufacturers, I have never seen a motor destroyed by salt water in a boat. I've seen many pool pumps failed from water intrusion however, and eventually salty air will react with the steel laminations in vented designs. The marine environment is very abusive to motors and electronics. Consider using sealed components to ensure continuous reliable operation.
Be Well,
Arby
Advance Marine Electric Propulsion
From: Jeff <miragevideo@gmail.com>
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, January 9, 2012 9:00 AM
Subject: [Electric Boats] Electric motors and salt water
Hi,
I am considering a repowering for my Coronado 35. I like the idea of an electric auxiliary, but am concerned about two things. 1- resale potential considering an electric power source is not mainstream boating and 2 - Electric parts and a salty environment are not good partners.
Any comments on these two points?
Thanks,
Jeff
I am considering a repowering for my Coronado 35. I like the idea of an electric auxiliary, but am concerned about two things. 1- resale potential considering an electric power source is not mainstream boating and 2 - Electric parts and a salty environment are not good partners.
Any comments on these two points?
Thanks,
Jeff
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