Free Credit Report

electric alternative

Having just seen Al Gore's movie about our impending environmental crisis, and considering my boat's ridiculous fuel consumption, I started brainstorming alternatives. Aside from swapping out the gas engine for a diesel one, and then converting it to run bio-diesel, I figured the best thing to do would be get an electric outboard motor to hang next to the outdrive. That way, I could leave the gas engine off when just hanging around in calm water.

I think an electric trolling motor is the best choice, but I need a motor with substantial umph, because my boat is a 25' Carver, not a 9' aluminum skiff. I'm confused about lbs of thrust vs hp, since most of the trolling motors I've seen advertise lbs of thrust, and only sometimes mention hp (very low, usually).

Anyone know of a REALLY strong electric motor?

How many of you think this is a stupid idea? Just brainstorming...

 Mike
Jun 14
2006
IMO the Bio-Diesel would be a better option in your case.

All modern diesel engines (1992+) can run Bio-Diesel with no modification (Not Waste Veg Oil/French Fry Oil). Pre-1992 Diesel engines just need hoses and gaskets replaced (these will break down slightly faster than if you had used reg diesel). Bio-Diesel will also provide slight longer engine life (higher lubrication and will break deposits down)

You only have to do a conversion if you want to run straight Veg Oil.

The other good idea I think you're hitting on is: someone should work on a marine conversion of a Hybrid engine.

Christian

 Christian
Jun 14
1 hp equals about 30 lbs of thrust if you have an efficient prop. To move a larger boat against wind and head seas requires about 10 to 15 hp just to maintain forward progress. Even with a 48 volt battery bank that amount of power will need 200 to 300 amps of current, with batteries weighing over a ton. Between the cost of the batteries and the cost to recharge you will be paying a lot for a boat that doesn't perform very well. Wayne.B
Jun 14
Hybrid engines do not make sense in a marine application. They work in cars because the electric drive provides strong acceleration when needed, but only for short periods of time. Boats present a more or less constant power requirement. Wayne.B
Jun 14
   
Disclaimer: This is a computer-generated and formatted feed of current postings to a public
Internet forum. We do not control the information delivered, nor do we endorse or monitor its
content. Internet forums may carry offensive, harmful, inaccurate, and otherwise inappropriate material.
 Click to see the RSS XML version of this page   Click to see the Atom XML version of this page