Monday, August 9, 2021

Re: [electricboats] Electric Powerboat

Hi Ken,
On the subject of using 2 of 240v generators to produce 460v. A.C. doesn't work that way. If you series connect them you will get anything from 0 to 480v, probably slowly cycling from one to the other, the difference in the generator frequencies.
I am going to try cheap 3 phase industrial motor on small sailing boat, 23 foot. 3hp. That's 12volt batteries to 230v inverter (3kw rated) to VFD, variable frequency drive, 230v 3 phase to 2.2kw motor. All very cheap.

Nothing wrong with using a generator to feed the VFD, instead, but rumour has it that one should have a light bulb connected to the generator before switching on the VFD to stabilise the voltage. Otherwise spikes may kill the electronics.

I tried the setup on a small 3hp lathe which already had a similar VFD. Spun it at 1200rpm which took 3.8amps at 230v 3phase, 50hz = 77amps at 11.8v. That's about 900w dc.
380rpm took 3.8a and 36a, 12.2v respectively. Still 50hz.
I was using 6mmsq wire x about 2m altogether which cost me a volt at the high current.
I hooked up the 2 cables from the original lever to a forward and reverse switches and a potentiometer for the throttle well out of the splash zones.
I had been planning a homemade 12v generator to extend the motoring range but have been inspired by your post to simply use a 230vac off the shelf and plug the VFD in direct. Long VFD ramp up times, 3 to 5 seconds, mean very gentle loading. A little suitcase generator would do my boat at 900w.
You will have 2 big VFDs and 2 big motors I presume? 
I don't know about the Americas but here in Europe the larger 7hp upwards motors come 700/400v star/delta so you need a 3 phase generator and 3 phase input VFD. 
If you aren't intending battery power or solar then doesnt your usage profile suggest outboard ice? A big generator is expensive and bulky too, although might have an advantage for a live aboard. 
Research the economics and fill us in.
Regards Anthony



On Sun 8 Aug 2021, 8:17 PM Ken Winokur <kenwphoto@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi All


My name is Ken Winokur and I have been a long time lurker on this mailing list but I don't post much.

I'm a yacht broker, marine technology advisor and more and have worked with power boat manufacturers on high speed hybrid electric (Siemens electric motors and Styer engines / generators) which for new power boats is an excellent solution but of course are nearly the same if not more expensive then traditional diesel power.

I was wondering if anyone here has experience or experimented with a different more simple approach.

This would be for older boat that's would mostly be used as a live aboard but needs to be moved occasionally and at only hull speed.

My approach would be for say a 39 foot 1980's Searay express cruiser for which I have many for sale dirt cheap.

I would rip out both engines and generator and replace them with a pair of AC industrial motors and run the off a single at AC240/240 or perhaps a pair of generators to get AC 460.

I see motors from 10 to 40 hp at Grainger and on eBay which may be suitable.

Any one who has explored this path I would be interested in talking to.

Thanks so much.

Ken

Btw my personal boat is a Sabre 28 sailboat with an atomic 4 that I may replace with electric some day.





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