Thanks for the response Steve.
This Group is interesting. The one posting I have never seen is "I think
electric stinks and am reverting to ICE". My ideas are a bit off the
wall, I realise that I am rowing against the current a bit here by going
minimalistic.
My actual original searching gave me prices of around $900 for a larger
single motor. Smaller, say 400 watt ones were around $60. I rechecked
when there was the recent post mentioning golf cart motors, and they
seem to be around $600.
I agree with you on the maintenance cost estimate of zero, that is
presumably why the US and other car makers are waiting until they can
develop a complicated electric vehicle at far higher cost, and requiring
maintenance to keep dealership cash flow, rather than just doing what
India has done, and produce a plug-in electric car with useable range
for $4000 that is actually in production and use, and has been for some
time.
I can now understand why you (and others) were advising against the
smaller multiple motor idea. My price figures were incorrect. And as far
as a larger motor goes, I can probably even save a little more by going
with a used one.
As for controllers, they remain a mystery. The only replies I can get
when I ask what they actually do is either, 'Without one, it is hard on
the batteries', or,'You need one to control the speed'.
I remember before electronics were used to control industrial motors,
there used to be what were called 'soft starts'. I am very suspicious of
electronics as far as reliability goes - I can't see the 'gears'
meshing!!
If I were in the business of selling electric marine drives right now,
and relative to sailboats, I would be ignoring/deprioritising batteries,
as I think that range issues will be resolved at some point by the road
vehicle people. And I would, instead, be looking at producing a small,
low cost, bolt in replacement drive that can operate for weekend docking
using only solar or wind charging, and also getting a generator setup
passed by the coastguard to use as secondary power to give range. My bet
is that the average person will move heaven and earth not to have to
start up the gennie.
5b. Re: Cost Saving Idea Abandoned!
Posted by: "Steve Dolan" sdolan@scannersllc.com brzrkr22
Date: Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:43 am ((PDT))
John the only thing I would add as far as the costs go is you got to
look at the long term picture. The average cost and maintenance over the
next 5 years is probably $0. After that the cost of replacing a battery
or 2 has to be figured into the equation but the motor is typically good
for a few 100,000 hours. I could have told you (I think I did anyway)
that on a larger boat the cost would have been higher on a multiple
motor boat (pulley style) but I didn't even think about all the nuts and
bolts you mentioned below. As for the controller, bite the bullet and
get one to save you the grief. There I said it. :o)
Good Luck,
Steve in Solomons
--
http://www.fastmail.fm - Accessible with your email software
or over the web
No comments:
Post a Comment