Bill,
I think that you're on the right track. Electric conversions make a lot of sense for auxiliary conversions, where the motor is there for a backup. I can sail for miles without using a single watt of electricity, but it is immediately available for short periods of power. I struggled with the idea of giving up my diesel for a system that had a maximum range of less than a gallon of fuel, but once I realized that I rarely burned a gallon fuel in a single outing, then electric seemed more viable.
Because I always sail in coastal/offshore conditions, having another backup is essential for longer trips. I sized my charger to provide maximum 48V nominal output from a typical 2000W portable AC generator, my generator is a Yamaha EF2000iS (almost identical to the Honda 2000). With my setup, I can get about 25A of charging current while running the generator (remember that charging voltages are higher than nominal voltages). This should be good for about 4kts in calm waters. Being an air cooled portable generator, the generator must be run above decks, it is stored in a lazarette when not in use. Alternatively, for day sails, the generator is left ashore. Once you get adjusted to the electric drive mindset, you'll realize that house loads are negligible, I could run a small microwave for about 8 hours off of my traction battery bank without charging, though I don't have any regular appliances aboard that pull that kind of load. In theory I could run a tailgater blender nonstop for more than 30 hours with one charge of the onboard batteries.
At least, this is the plan. I've been working on my conversion most of this year; acquiring components, removing the dead, single cylinder Yanmar diesel and other ICE related stuff, and prepping the boat for the new drive system. I've got all the hardware, now I've got to squeeze it all into the engine compartment of my 1964 30' ketch. I'm guessing that the project would be easier with a more modern design, but I'll make it work. I'll be posting pictures soon when the system is up and running.
Fair winds,
Eric
Marina del Rey, CA
--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, Bill Spires <spiresac@...> wrote:
>
> Eric,
>
> Great response. The most concise and useful info I have ever seen in the blog.
> The only thing I would add is that it is certain that the 27 hp diesel is way
> overkill for a 26 foot double ender. I have been through the re-power wars for
> small, displacement hulls a few times and the problem is that it is hard to find
> and very expensive to get the right size and weight diesels for small boats.
> The other problem is that single cyl. diesels "Will sound like someone pounding
> on a drum with a hammer" when running in a small boat. On the other hand I
> think adding a small gas or diesel generator to the electric setup makes a lot
> of sense. Really extends your range, reduces the size of the battery bank and
> gives you house power to run the blender. Besides, I have lost electric power
> offshore on enough boats to think a little hand cranked gen set is always a good
> idea. I think there is a safety factor in favor of electric too. I can't tell
> you how many times I have reached the harbor after a rough passage and the
> engine won't crank. All the sludge is stirred up in the fuel tank. A few
> minutes of electric would have got the sails down and us in the slip.
>
> Capt. Bill
>
>
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