Electric repower

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Tom Beilein

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Jun 4, 2021, 9:47:58 AM6/4/21
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I have made the decision to convert Crackln Rose to an electric propulsion system this coming offseason. I have a 1985 30C. Electric Yacht, who at this point is the leading candidate, recommends a 10kw motor. https://electricyacht.com/product/quiettorque-10-electric-motor/  My question for this group is; do you think that is adequate power? The strongest current that I would face is at the mouth of the Niagara River. My primary use for auxiliary is in and out of our harbor.

Tom Beilein
Crackle Rose NS30C
Olcott, NY

Joe Valinoti

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Jun 4, 2021, 10:48:12 AM6/4/21
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Tom:  I believe we have at least two electric conversions that I know of.  I’m sure they will get back to you.
 
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA

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Bob Neches (Solar Wind, N26C #143)

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Jun 4, 2021, 4:54:08 PM6/4/21
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Tom,

I'm slowly exploring doing the same thing, so I'll be interested in hearing how it goes for you.

In looking at possibilities, I'm looking at Electric Yacht's Quiet-Torque 10, and also have been weighing Thunderstruck-EV.com's offerings.  They recommend a 10KW motor to replace diesels 12-29HP on boats with displacements up to 12,000, pretty much in line with what Electric Yacht says.  They don't give a HP comparison for their next size up, which costs $560 more, but claim it's good for displacements up to 22,000 lbs.   They claim that one can be set up as a 12KW motor on a 48 volt system or 18KW on a 72 volt system.

One of the documents on their website comments that, "On our Pearson 30 at similar speed, the power used was Twice as much when going against the current and wind in the SF Bay."  So, it sounds like the questions to be asked are both what KW output is sufficient and what battery capacity is required to provide that power for the length of time you'll need it.   I don't know how Niagara River currents compare to San Francisco Bay conditions.

My current impression is that the ThunderStruck package would add up to be cheaper, but requires more knowledge and confidence, while Electric Yacht costs more but offers more support for non-gearheads.

I too hope the electric convert owners will chip in soon.  I'm equally interested in their insights.

-- Bob
   Solar Wind (The name came with the boat, but with that name, how could you not think about going green?)
   Nonsuch 26C #143

Tim in STL

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Jun 4, 2021, 5:44:28 PM6/4/21
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It must be the trend, we too are repowering.  After a year with a Chevy Bolt electric car we became convinced that electric is the way to go. No oil changes, no tune-ups, no noise.  We only. use the engine to motor out of the harbor, a half mile distance, but then we have to let the diesel run for at 20 minutes to be sure and warm it up thoroughly.   We looked a Thunderstruck, Electric Yacht, Thoosa, and Bell.  Those told us that they have sold too many and at the present time they do not have enough stock to sell us a motor, they referred us to Bell who has never returned my emails.  Thunderstruck seem fine if you know what you are doing.  We decided to spend the extra $$ and go with the Electric Yacht QT 10.0 Sport, that way every component comes from the one source, any complaints and we will only have one person to deal with.  We placed our order one week ago so we are anxiously awaiting parts, so there is not much I can tell you - yet.
Let's keep this thread going and we can all learn.  If you haven't already be sure to check out Mike Bianka's blog on his conversion:  http://biankablog.blogspot.com/2008/05/going-electric.html

Tim in STL

White O’morn NS26U #216

Harbor Point Yacht Club

West Alton, MO

James Moores

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Jun 5, 2021, 10:36:09 AM6/5/21
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ed.b...@gmail.com

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Jun 6, 2021, 1:13:33 PM6/6/21
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I too have toyed with converting SaSeaCat to electric.  We also have a Chevy Bolt as well as a Model 3 and a Zero electric motorcycle.  Charging these vehicles has not been a problem.  BUT, charging a 60 to 100 KW battery pack at our yacht club would be a problem after motoring a long way (up the St. Clair River from Detroit).

 

Charging following short outings for a breezy day sail will not be problematic.  Even a Level 1 charger would be adequate.  But charging after a deep battery discharge might be another question.  Any thoughts or comments on recharging an electric boat?

 

…..Ed

SaSeaCat

NonSuch 30-322

Sarnia Ontario

Jorgen Moller

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Jun 6, 2021, 3:43:46 PM6/6/21
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I converted Pondus 10 years ago to electric propulsion and have never regretted it. I bought the 5 KW motor from Thunderstruck + the larger SEVCON Gen4 if I wanted to upgrade to a 10 KW motor later. Pondus is a 26C  and the %KW is sufficient fir my use, which is mostly in and out of the marina. My prop is a fixed 13/11 w/ 3 blades. On my first installation, attached the motor to the Hurst gearbox through an adapter which also attached the assembly to the stringers. It worked very well for a number of years, but the Hurst started getting noisy, so back to the drawing board. The contraption I am using now  is belt an pully like Thunderstruck, but in two parts. One fixed connecting the drive to the shaft via a heavy duty thrust bearing. The other half with the motor hinged to tension the belt, The hinge allows me to swing the motor out of the way to give easier access to the shaft bearing and seal for maintenance. I have 200AH LiFePO4 batteries under the quarte berths. Range is not a problem for me, but they should give about 4 H/4KN under normal conditions and many more when motor sailing.

 For new installations I would recommend installing a 10 KW system for N26/30, and only install Thunderstruck if you are comfortable doing quite a bit of work yourself, as well as souring the electronics needed for control and metering. The Electric Yacht is a good fit and should be easy to install in most cases. 

I helped install two 10KW Thunderstruck with 200AH batterie configurations at the RCYC, one in a N26 and the second a 31' Herreshoff Cat Ketch. They both perform will and to extend their range they carry deck mounted Honda 2KW gensets.

One weakness with the Thunderstruck is according to  one of our mechanics is that the thrust bearing is maybe not configured right for the 10KW motor.

Range is related to how much battery power you install, and please do not compare is to the more efficient mechanics of a car. I have a 25A/48V charger and have no problems keeping my batteries  charged form mu 115V/30A between going sailing.

You will enjoy the amazing control an electric solution will provide, and an "always ON" can save your skin in tricky situations.

Hope this help.

Jorgen Moller
PONDUS N26 #33
RCYC Toronto

Howard C. Wright

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Jun 11, 2022, 3:21:49 PM6/11/22
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I'm attaching myself to this thread. I too am planning on repowering my 26C to electrical during the winter. I pretty much have decided on the Electric Yacht 10Kw motor, and am trying to figure out batteries and where to put them.  I have already converted my head to compost and have taken the holding tank out of the starboard quarter berth, and am figuring to remove the fuel tank out of the port quarterberth. I figure that I could put 4 12v AGM group 31 batteries in each quarter berth, but am not sure they would fit.

To any NS26C owners who have done this, I'm really interested to know where they placed the batteries and what configuration (size) and type (AGM or Li-on) did you use? And where did you place the charger?

And how does one set up 12V solar panels to help charge the batteries?

Howard Wright
NS26C "Merrythought"
Friday Harbor, WA

Jorgen Moller

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Jun 11, 2022, 9:17:39 PM6/11/22
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Howard, you should do well with the Electric Yacht 10Kw configuration. When you get the diesel tank out, you will have space for your batteries. I would balance the configuration by installing half in the former spaces for fuel and holding tank. The charger should be installed to allow air circulation for cooling. You still have space for house batteries in their current locations. My motor batteries are LiFePo4 200Ah installed in the former house and starter battery locations. The house battery is installed in the diesel tank space with plenty space for upgrades. 
Two other configurations I have been involved with have the motor batteries installed behind the motor. 

Good luck. 

Jorgen Moller 
Pondus NS26C #33
RCYC Toronto 

On Jun 11, 2022, at 3:21 PM, Howard C. Wright <siwas...@gmail.com> wrote:



Bob Jenkins

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Jun 12, 2022, 10:47:28 PM6/12/22
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Jurgen are your 12 v batteries connected  in series for 48v or parallel.
Thanks Bob Jenkins
Previous owner Good News 30 U

On Jun 11, 2022, at 9:17 PM, Jorgen Moller <jorgen...@ant.ca> wrote:



Howard Wright

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Jun 13, 2022, 12:15:40 AM6/13/22
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And where on your 26 did you install the charger?

Howard Wright
NS26C “Merrythought”

On Jun 12, 2022, at 7:47 PM, Bob Jenkins <bob.j...@sympatico.ca> wrote:



Jorgen Moller

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Jun 13, 2022, 5:01:57 PM6/13/22
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Howard, you can install the charger anywhere with reasonable air circulation, I installed mine on the bulkhead at the end of the starboard quaterberth. 

Bob, the starter and house batteries were of different chemistry and age, so I gave them away, and replaced them with a single Nautilus 100Ah AGM. I can charge it from my 48V motor battery if needed. 
Jorgen Moller 
Pondus NS26C #33
RCYC TORONTO 

On Jun 13, 2022, at 12:15 AM, Howard Wright <siwas...@gmail.com> wrote:

And where on your 26 did you install the charger?
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