Sunday, July 24, 2011

Re: [Electric Boats] Hybrid drive

 

Arby

When I was converting to EP back in 2008 I think Ample Power had a 48 volt 100 amp diesel generator which was always a plan B for me. But, since the Honda 2000 generator has met my all my needs at 1/5th the cost I never went down that route. Also I was not looking forward to installing another diesel ICE below deck if I did not need to. Sounds similar to what you were looking at.
When you mention "power converters" are they the same as smart battery chargers like my Zivan NG-1 which has been working well for my needs. Including motoring.

Capt. Mike

Capt. Mike

Sent from on board BIANKA
http://biankablog.blogspot.com


From: Arby Bernt <arbybernt@yahoo.com>
Sender: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sat, 23 Jul 2011 22:02:28 -0700 (PDT)
To: <electricboats@yahoogroups.com>
ReplyTo: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Hybrid drive

 

Check out the Kubota Low Boy generator. Ample Power has been using the engine and a Zena alternator for 24vdc telecom standby power with excellent results. I've yet to experiment with one. 
I did do a little work on a 48vdc 6kw genny using a one lung air cooled diesel purchased from AffordableGenerator.com, but it is so noisey and shakey, I decided to focus on motors instead. 
A portable gas genny and RV power converters seem like a much better option. In two years of rental service, only once has a boat been stranded with dead batteries in SF Bay. With the power converters, a genny can be dropped off by speedboat, and the boat motored home. 
I tried the same using the DualPro Quad charger on our test boat, but smart chargers do not respond well to a drain during operation, cycling constantly the one time I tried it. Power converters, on the other hand, are designed for loaded output, feature a fold-back over current protection if pushed too hard, and have a three stage charger built in. WFCO makes 80% of the RV market, IOTA makes a marine duty model ($$$). I've been using 55 amp WFCO units on each 12v section of the string with very good results.   

Be Well,
Arby

On Jul 24, 2011, at 10:10 AM, Kevin Shepherd <shepherdkevinj@gmail.com> wrote:

 

Seams we are waiting for the production of a micro deisel. 4 cyl. Fresh water cooled. Common rail injection. Bio fuel compatable. Thimble sized cylenders. 3hp. With 2kw perm mag gen. Comes in sound enclosure. And under 80 lbs.

Kevin Shepherd

On 2011-07-23 7:38 PM, "James Lambden" <james@toolboat.com> wrote:

 

Gentlemen,

In determining the suitability of a hybrid drive for a sailboat one must consider the duty cycle of the diesel generator.

If the boat consumes small amounts of power, and the batteries are used as a buffer to the large output of a diesel generator, then it makes sense.

If the duty cycle is 10 to 1, then hybrid is an obvious advantage, the batteries won't get cycled that often so they won't wear out early, and the diesel generator will be charging the batteries at the diesel's optimum efficiency.

If the duty cycle is 1 to 1, then the hybrid is not advantageous at all.

It all depends on how you use your boat.    It is my observation that the way boats are used in the Santa Barbara Harbor, that Hybrid Propulsion would be a great advantage.   Most boats use their diesels very infrequently, some getting a tank of gas once per year at most.   

One also has to consider the percentage of energy used by the house, and the percentage used for propulsion.   With boats that use more energy for their house than for propulsion, once again hybrid wins because a DC generator is upwards of 3 times as efficient as a belt driven alternator.

The final remaining factor to determine if hybrid technology is appropriate for someones vessel is how pleasant life on board can be.   Diesel Generators can be mounted in a lazarette - outside the living spaces of the boat.   And an electric motor is far nicer to live with than a diesel - anyday.

My firm belief is that diesels make for a better motor boat, and electrics, be it battery electric, solar electric or diesel electric,  make for better sailboats.

Now if I can only figure out how to automate the tracker for my 450 watt solar array...... 

Pictures coming soon 

James






On Jul 22, 2011, at 10:27 PM, Eric wrote:

>  
>
> Hi Kerry,
>
> So what you're saying is that ...

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