Re: [electricboats] Electric Drive Update - end of season inspection

The primary cabling from battery to controller is 2/0, also known as 00 (or apr. 70 mm^2).  I found the recommended size for my power level and went up 2 sizes.  There are lots of references on sizing of the wire and there is some variability in those.  I found an ABYC recommendation that I should have size 1 cable.  I found another that said size 0. 

I got my wire and lugs from Pacer Marine.  https://www.pacergroup.net/

I have a hydraulic crimper from Harbor Freight and I modified some of the dies to accommodate the 2/0 lugs.  That was easier than expected because they are not as hard as I thought they would or should be. 
https://www.harborfreight.com/hydraulic-wire-crimping-tool-66150.html

And I used plenty of electrical grease on all the lugs/connectors.  I use this stuff that I got from Sailors Solutions - one of my favorite vendors (they are proper cruising sailors and test all the stuff they sell):
https://www.sailorssolutions.com/?page=ProductDetails&Item=NO-OX-ID

They also have Tef-Gel for SS fasteners and I use it anywhere there is SS/Aluminum contact.  I have used it for 20 years now and it has been excellent.  Note though that I am not in a challenging corrosion environment. 
https://www.sailorssolutions.com/?page=ProductDetails&Item=TG01


The cable length was as short as I could manage.  Worked out to about 5 feet total.  About 2.5 from battery to buss bar and another 2.5 from buss bar to controller.  Plus a little more on the positive to reach the battery switch.  And I suppose a little extra on the negative to reach the shunt for the Victron 712 monitor but that is very close to the battery (1 foot). 

By the way, if your building a battery and a battery box I would plan from the start to have room for the BMS and for a shunt for a monitor like the Victron 712.  That's easier than trying to squeeze it in later. 


Dan Pfeiffer

On 2021-12-31 2:21 pm, Jorge Anchia wrote:

Dan, thanks for the post. The details are very helpful indeed. I'm in the process of doing a diesel to electric conversion using the 10kw Thunderstruck sail boat kit.

I have a question for you what length and gage wire are you using for the connection from batteries to controller. 

Thanks,  Jorge 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-------- Original message --------

From: Dan Pfeiffer <dan@pfeiffer.net>

Date: 12/31/21 01:37 (GMT-05:00)

To: electricboats@groups.io

Subject: Re: [electricboats] Electric Drive Update - end of season inspection

 

Thanks for the comments.  Happy to give back a little of what I have gotten from this group. 

I spent some time this evening adding more info and photos.  I'll likely split this all into smaller pages but for now it all starts here:
http://dan.pfeiffer.net/10m/electric_drive.htm



Dan Pfeiffer

On 2021-12-30 4:58 pm, Günter Wöckener wrote:

Dan, thank you very much for information and data.