Eric,
thanks for your frank reply. I was under the impression that a small efficient, constant RPM generator / electric combo would be more efficient than a conventional diesel engine, especially if the generator could run the motor directly somewhat like a locomotive(!). I also assumed that the generator would be heavily sound shielded and tucked away somewhere unobtrusive leaving deckspace unencumbered by engineboxes ect. I also like the option of having a quiet generator for AC power. I can see that the system would easily get complicated especially when you start talking about DC generators. Maybe I would be better going with an inline electric motor on the shaft of a small conventional diesel and a big battery bank also driving an inverter for ac. I guess this is what they had on Dragonfly (slowboatcruise.com). At least this way if you need power to get out of trouble you've got the diesel.
--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "Eric" <ewdysar@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Steve and Kerry,
>
> It's good to see that emotion is still developing and enhancing their systems and the hybrid part looks very solid. I did notice that the smallest boat that they reference on their site is a 45' monohull sailboat and the rest are 40'+ catamarans.
>
> The question becomes how much space and weight a 24' to 28' cabin cruiser (powerboat) can allocate to the drive package. The 144V battery pack, the electric drive , and the generator system will definitely weigh much more than a single diesel engine that can deliver the same speeds. These components will also take up more space. As a power boat, the electric only range is probably not as important, since any silent running would have to be followed by just as much generating time when stopped. So in practice, I would figure that the engine will start within a few minutes of casting off and continue for the duration of the day's trip. This would minimize the space and weight required for the battery pack. But if you're going to run an engine the entire time that you're underway, why not skip the expense and complexities of the hybrid and drive the prop with the engine.
>
> It is my personal opinion that a hybrid electric drive for this type of boat will be expensive and heavy and may not deliver many advantages over a regular modern diesel engine. A Beta28 diesel will outpower the most powerful emotionhybrid drive available (18kW).
>
> So the question needs to go back to Kerry. What are you trying to accomplish by going to a hybrid drive for a small cabin cruiser? In what ways do you think that the hybrid drive would be better than a small diesel engine? Once you clearly define your project goals related to the drive system, we can see what types of systems are best suited to meet those goals and what the tradeoffs will be.
>
> You should also check out the blog about the Dragonfly, a canal boat that completed 6,000-mile circumnavigation around eastern North America. Here's the link:
> http://www.slowboatcruise.com/
> This boat was larger and slower than what you're talking about, but this is a successful example of a hybrid cruiser that cruised the same areas that you have discussed.
>
> Fair winds and smooth seas,
> Eric
> Marina del Rey, CA
>
>
> --- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, Steve Dolan <sdolan@> wrote:
> >
> > Kerry,
> > Taker a look at this site.
> >
> > http://emotionhybrid.com/
> >
> > Steve in Solomons MD
> > Lagoon 410SE
> >
> >
> > Thanks for your reply Eric,
> > I am talking about a cabin cruiser and I would plan on being able to do 6 or 7 knots for a full 8 to 10 hour day. Unlimited really, in case I had to do overnights. I would like to go up the intracoastal around through the Hudson and down the Mississippi. I was looking at the Fischer Panda whisperjet system but their generator seems to charge the batteries rather than drive the electric motor directly which would limit available power. A DC generator capable of providing 100+ amps seems to be a rare item.
> > Kerry
> >
> > --- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "Eric" <ewdysar@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Kerry,
> > >
> > > When you say "cruiser", do you mean a sailboat or a cabin cruiser? There might be different answers to meet the different demands. And if you can describe what "exteneded cruising" means to you, that would help.
> > >
> > > Fair winds,
> > > Eric
> > > Marina del Rey, CA
> > >
> > > --- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "kerryfenn" <camillekerry@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hi, I am hoping to build a 24 to 28 foot cruiser for extended cruising using electric power. I am planning on using a small DC generator to directly power the drive motor as well as charge the batteries. There will be an inverter to power AC items.
> > > > Does anybody have any suggestions or ideas on this particular type of drive package?
> > > > Thanks,
> > > >
> > >
> > ric
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
>
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