Electric Main/Aux Power

[ricknriver 14]

Personally very interested in electric motors for main/auxiliary power and couldn't find a related thread. Thought we may be able to collect information/experiences in their use here.  I experimented with a 12v 55# Minn Kota trolling motor on our CS15 couple of months ago and was happy with the result; ~3-4 mph w/2 aboard on calm creek for about 2 hrs at 1/2-3/4 throttle using 1/3 of a gr 31 AGM. Almost imperceptible motor noise.  Hope to go lithium when prices of good ones go down.  Tried a small Torquedo (1003 I think) a while back but didn't like its "whine" under power.  Going to try the Minn Kota on the 12' Amanda I hope to finish in FL this winter to scout gators and birds.  Your experiences/thoughts/ideas?  Thanks, RickZ

[Oyster 29]

Short of going with a straight inboard engine, which restricts some of the shallow water cruising, thee are trolling motors that's mounted to outboard legs and mounted on trim tabs for sportfishing boats.  This gives you the motor underwater with a controller in hand or mounted to a bracket on deck. This still comes down to battery life.  Of course when using on saltwater there can be some drawbacks when selecting most of the well known trolling motor setups that can be modified for use to push the boat. This may be the cheapest direction. I personally would think about just how many times and hours I will be using it to justify going in the direction of the upper priced ranged units and setup.

If you have time to kill, follow some of these links , which the units can be modified for remote mounts to the transom and removal too.

https://www.amazon.com/Minn-Kota-Engine-Mounted-Trolling/dp/B07P3NLB8D/ref=pd_sbs_200_2/145-7763118-0553641?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07P3NLB8D&pd_rd_r=ed37758a-0b28-4fb5-8882-6e274ad85415&pd_rd_w=1TaO6&pd_rd_wg=wb5nh&pf_rd_p=d66372fe-68a6-48a3-90ec-41d7f64212be&pf_rd_r=D9KMM7VM0YHRZBC6M708&refRID=D9KMM7VM0YHRZBC6M708#customerReviews

 

https://www.trollingmotors.net/collections/engine-mount-trolling-motor

 

https://laterallineco.com/blog/lenco-trim-tab-trolling-motors-review-and-feedback/

 

https://mk.factoryoutletstore.com/cat/20870-33438/Minn-Kota-Engine-Mount-Freshwater.html?cid=55001&chid=4272&msclkid=ba00eb8be3a91d062697b601ff687647

 

 

I don't anything about these units. But I have seen them mentioned in the past on the web. It does look like they do cost a bit more than I would spend for an occasional cruise for bird watching.

 

Ray electric outboard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEKl1xVIF4c&feature=player%5Fembedded&controls=0&autohide=0&fs=1&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&rel=0

 

When all else fails, contact the owner  here and see what he uses for his inboard setup and charging arrangement.

https://www.budsin.com/en/

[Randy Jones 14]

I recently bought a dandy little electric motor called an EP Carry.  See smallboatsmonthly.com/article/ep-carry . I've tested it on a Sabot and Michael Storer Rowboat and plan to carry it as an auxiliary on the CS17 and perhaps even the Belhaven 19.   It comes with a fancy 14 pound battery that will provide full speed for an hour.  I suspect I could go quite some distance at low speed in calm conditions using the Belhaven house battery bank.  

Too early for a review, but it certainly seems like the real deal.

Randy

 

[ricknriver 14]

Thank you for the info Randy.  Seems like a nice light unit. Be great to see some numbers on boat speed and battery duration when time permits for the 17 & 19. I'm going to try and get some more soon on my CS15. Rick

[Randy Jones 14]

Correction to my previous post.  EP Cary motor is 14 pounds, battery is 6 pounds.  I tested it on my CS17 and achieved 2.9 knots (sails stowed on mast, 500 lb crew).  Ran for over an hour at full throttle without noticeable drop in speed until the very end.   There is some mechanical motor noise at full speed but it is nothing relative to a gas outboard. 

I'm quite pleased.  I'll get some video once I get a proper motor bracket.

[ricknriver 14]

Thank for the addition info Randy.  Sounds pretty good.  Should then push my CS15 maybe 3-3.5 and our Amanda even more under similar loads.  Seems quite a bit of use off a  9+ ah battery, and i like that they're assembled here, hopefully with high quality cells.  I emailed EP to see if a heavier 50 ah 24v LiPO (30#, $1K) battery can be used for extra range, and if they have a power cable that can be bolted to a general purpose LiPO battery, e.g. one from Battleborn or a like source instead of their battery.  Maybe In your BH19.  Will keep all posted as I learn more.  Rick

[ricknriver 14]

Received a quick response from the EP Carry mfg; "Yes, any 24v battery with the same bolt-on type terminals as our K2 Energy batteries have will work with EP Carry.  You simply need to order an additional connector cable for $70.  That can be ordered via mail or phone.  And yes, the EP Carry motor can run continuously without any performance issues."  If battery connections the same, and you want to use a larger battery, may be able to order motor at lower cost without the smaller battery (or keep it for back-up). Would have to do our own testing for range with other size LiPO batteries, unless we can find some on the web. Rick 

[Chick Ludwig 201]

A LIPO battery continues to put out full, or almost full power until it is discharged. Also, touching terminals together by accident is VERY exciting. INSTANT discharge.

[Randy Jones 14]

Rick,

CS15 and CS17 form drag is identical and we're moving below hull speed so my guess is it will be all about wetted surface area.  I think you might to 3.5 knots.   In any case I'm sure it will be faster than you can row.

Chuck has an excellent point about these batteries.  You use all their energy than boom, they're dead.  I think two batteries makes sense and am considering adding a second identical battery as reserve.  We'll see what Santa thinks about it.   

 

[Chick Ludwig 201]

I've considered electric power for my "motor canoe". I have a motor, but it's a lot bigger than I need. 40# thrust, but "ya use watcha got". I would carry 2 batteries for the range. It has a rheostat speed control which is vary inefficient. Better to have a modulated pulse control like the more expensive motors.

 

Great book about all of this is Electric Boats: The Handbook of Clean, Quiet Boating  by Douglas Little.

 

[ricknriver 14]

Thanks for the tip on the Electric Boats book Chick. You might find that 40# handy in wind/current. Hope to get the Amanda hull in the water in FL by Jan and get some detailed numbers with my 55# MK max.  Also some data on the old 16# and 12# mini motors I plan to try on wife's 9' Hobie Mirage Sport yak, and my 14' Kevlar canoe.  LiPO's discharge curve is a challenge due to the rapid drop-off at the end of charge. Randy's 2 batts almost essential or some very accurate metering scheme. This old dog really needs the ~40-50% battery weight reduction though.  Be good to see any numbers anyone can get on their boats when time and weather permits :-). Tks, Rick 

[MikeStevenson 1]

I think I've come to this thread a bit late, but I am glad to see all the info and posts. We've been playing with electric boating for 35+ years and it's really a wonderful way to push a boat along! 

 

Over the years we've tried a good many trolling motors and liked the results, but have recently been using the German Torqeedo motors more. Expensive, but a LOT of features and a lot of power in a compact design. I have yet to explore their Ultralight series in person, but I think they will be a great replacement for our cut-down trolling motors we've used on both our Weekenders and the SoleXplor solar boats. 

 

I look forward to keeping an eye on this thread! 

Mike Stevenson

[ricknriver 14]

Hi Mike, Thanks for joining us and your comments and ideas on promoting electric propulsion. Lots of fun plans you have developed. Thought of a 20" electric front wheel & LIPO batt like I have planned for wife's Sun3 delta trike, for your delta land sail car for calm days.  Might even use studded motorcycle ice racing tires for it on frozen lakes. Built an ice-board years ago from old skate & windsurfer pieces when MD creeks froze over.   Hoping to do a less expensiveTorqueedo-like package for my 12' skiff using 55# TM and 100 ah Battleborn 30# LIPOs, or 2 17# 50ah LIPOs for easier battery handling as I age.  Please keep us posted on any speed and endurance #s you collect with any boat & electric power combos you create. Keep "sparkin'"safely  Thanks, Rick