Wednesday, July 15, 2009

[Electric Boats] Re: The missing link in "affordable" diesel electric

 

Chris,

Apparently many people are thinking along the lines you have described, myself included. I am planning to install a generator later for cruising, and just dock charge for now.

Check out this for a 48v-100A Kubota diesel generator:

http://www.re-e-power.com/Generator.html

And LiFePO4 batteries are cheaper (long run) than high-end lead acid. Unfortunately, a BMS (battery management system) is critically required, and that is more. Still $3080 USD and 247 pounds for 48v-200Ah batteries is great! (14 4.25v-200Ah cells that give nearly all of their energy at 3.3volts (times 14 = 46.2volts)):

http://www.evcomponents.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TS-LFP200AHA

48v-400Ah Rolls (6v*8) are $2400 and 1000 pounds without shipping or charging or BMS. I am comparing 400ah LA vs 200ah LiFePO4 because of their similar DOD (depth of discharge) tolerances. It might be fairer to quote 260ah LiFePO4: $4004 @ 278 pounds. Lithium has the much better cycle rate (longevity): draining 70% of their energy every time, you still get 4000 cycles. Rolls are warranted @ about 800 cycles, but should get at least twice that if kept above 50% DOD.

Charge!

Mark Stafford
Herreshoff Marco Polo (H55) project.

--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, Chris Witzgall <chris@...> wrote:
>
> We have a 32¹ Westerly Fulmar. It weighs perhaps 12,000 lbs, with a 26¹
> waterline, and is currently powered by a Volvo 18hp engine.
>
> It seems to be that both motor and battery technology has finally come to a
> place that can support owner installed electric boats that need to be able
> to have a longer range. The missing piece is a small, light diesel dc
> generator that can put out between 40-100a @ 48v. Something like this, but
> marinized:
>
> http://www.polarpowerinc.com/products/generators/1-3,5kw_Lambardini.htm
>
> Is anyone else thinking about this the same way as I am? Our future plans
> may include a few years of full -time cruising, so we won¹t be able to
> recharge at the dock, and extended motoring time for safely is a necessity.
>
> Put a 400ah 24v bank, or a 200ah 48v bank of LIFEPO4 batteries, weighing at
> ~100 lbs. Add a 12v converter, say 10 lbs. DC motor and assembly, 50-100
> lbs. DC Generator, 150lbs (made up number) Total system weight = <360 lbs
>
> Remove: 305lbs engine and transmission. 160lbs of lead acid batteries. Extra
> diesel tankage already on boat (keep 20 gallon tank only) 50lbs. Total
> removal: 515lbs.
>
> The only component that is missing is that generator. Gas is not an option
> for safety reasons. While the little Hondas are great generators, I would
> not want to rely on keeping one running during a storm.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Chris
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

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