Maybe look into an electric vehicle battery pack. I hear the Chevy volt uses groups of 48v packs. Buy one from a scrapyard and arrange it in the voltage you require.
You'll need a better prop than the trolling motors can give you. Kipawa makes speed-focused trolling motor props which have a higher pitch and allow for faster speeds. Also, consider that most trolling motors are not designed for continuous submersion. Keeping the motor out of the water will contribute to system longevity.
Instead of trolling motors, I would rather consider an electric outboard or gas outboard conversion based on a 2-4hp two stroke or other small donor outboard.
A 1-ton boat will require at least around a 2hp motor.
Let's assume a 1kw motor to drive it.
At 12v, that's 83A of current for 1kw power.
At 48V, it's only 21A.
A 20' cable run (10' there and 10' back) will only require 10awg wire for 1% voltage drop. Much cheaper and lighter than the 4awg that running at 12V would need and it gives you more flexibility of where to place components.
I suggest you come up with a list of requirements for your propulsion system.
- Your expectations of range
- what a typical outing looks like when everything goes well -- how far, how long?
- how bad can conditions get on the waterways you plan to use this? Wave height, winds, currents
- how close do you have to stick to time constraints? Example: have to be back by late afternoon in order to get the boat back on the trailer and be on the road before nightfall.
- budget. What does an appropriate gas outboard repower cost? New and used.
- how much tinkering are you willing to do to build and install
- how aware of the system do you want to be while out enjoying your boat?
/Jason
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Jason Taylor
v:514-815-8204
Good morning folks.
I have an 18' trailerable Hobo houseboat that needs a new power train.
For many reasons, I think electric is the best way to go...the biggest reason no doubt influenced in large part due to my own personal strength limitations after suffering a stroke in the last couple of years.
Trolling motors are not very heavy and Lithium batteries weigh much less than your standard lead acid ones.
The plan is to locate a used 12v trolling motor with the "best thrust for the buck"
and power it with a Lithium battery pack used for e bikes and mobility devices.
These battery packs are often available in voltages more than 12v (36, 48 etc.)
Can a 12v motor be hooked up directly to a higher voltage battery without modifications? Benefits of better efficiency at using higher voltage regarding speed and range?
So is this doable and what should I expect to see happen? Tips?
My boat weighs under 2,00 0lbs and I have lost the need for speed I had in my youth.
Regards,
Doug
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