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Subject: Re: TWL: Engine size--An Electric boat?
flyjbaker624@XXX.XXX
Date: Mon Apr 02 2001 - 00:28:37 EDT
Eric,
I have a friend that is part of a pilot program that is installing
electric engines on some sailboats. I do not know if there are any trawlers
in the group. The company is installing electric motors on 25 boats for the
cost of the equipment and the install is free!!!!!! And it still aint cheap.
He is taking his perfectly good Perkins 4108 out of his Mason 43 and putting
in the electric rig. He is totally sold on the deal and I thought he was
smoking it. I spent some time with him and, while not sold(and probably
never would be), I was a little more intrigued. The rig has some nice
features especially in a sailing application. There is no transmission. The
motor is the size of a large coffee can. It will charge the batteries with a
freewheeling prop while not in use. There is instant and immediate power
available at any time. The one I like best is that you can set the
"throttle" for 4 knots and if boatspeed falls below that value(remember,
we're talking sailing here) the motor will compensate and maintain at least
4kts. Imagine a large sea where you loose your wind in between the
swells.....not a bad feature. The system uses a 144volt Panda Generator and
you run your AC systems off of a big honkin' inverter.......7.5kw....not
cheap. I am pretty ignorant of the whole deal but he is into it for over
25K!!!!! If you would like to know more, email me and I can get some more
info.
Trawler on,
John
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