Electric Paddle Drive 2hp Review

[ecgossett]

Electric Paddle Drive 2hp Review - Try it!

 

The Electric Paddle Drive 2hp (EPD2) outboard is a  power head mounted direct current motor, that can provide 34 pounds of thrust at 245 watts an hour for 2 hours and will be comparible in price to a 2.5hp gas outboard.

 

I had a chance to try the EPD2 outboard at the NW Wooden Boatshow on my Core Sound 17. The boat weights about 390 lbs, and we had three large adults in the boat averaging about 600 pounds. Overall the boat weight was right around 1000lbs. Average speed was 3.5knots with bursts to 4knots.

 

At first glance the outboard is small and brings back memories of my 1957 Elgin for size. The battery back is in a seperate mountable bag, which with extender cords Electric Paddle can provide, could sit anywhere in the boat. The prop is similiar to an RC prop, and large mazimizing the efficiency of electric low speed, while not trying to copy a conventional outboard drive prop like some electric outboards do.

 

It was super light, and the only touchy part was mounting the $20k prototype with out dropping it.

 

Peukert Law

Ragone plot

 

Details from Electric Paddle:

Motor:

• Power input- 250-300 watts- exact value tbd

• Motor operates on 24 volts with an option for 36 volts

• Power is variable digitally as the knob is turned in so many steps it's considered continuous

• 24 volt input peak efficiency 50%- electrical watts in/ thrust x speed in watts out.

• Electronic reverse

• Safe start delay and ramp with safety switch

• Tilt up and down, power, and safety switch all controlled from the handle at the end of the longest tiller arm in the business so you don't need to lean.

• Available in short and long shaft length

• Motor has our patented gear/bearing/propeller module with a high aspect ratio, 13 inch disk area, final pitch options still tbd.

• Motor weight between 12 and 13.5 lb tbd

• Motor is designed to be waterproof to survive a swamped or capsize situation.

• Speeds on specific boats will be provided as we test.  So far, a 7.5 ft Eastport pram goes 3.5 knots.  9 ft Minto 4k, 14 ft day sailor 4.3k, a pigmy osprey is 5.2 all in knots.

Battery is a 24 volt unit from k2 energy.  Any 24 v system is acceptable, from direct solar to lead acid etc.  k2 specs are available at their store:

http://store.peakbattery.com/k224vlfpba.html

 

Together, the system gives 45+ minutes of runtime at full speed and extending the range with lithium is much less expensive than torqeedo.

More specs and features will come out as the design settles in the next few months.