By Chris Erwin
A few years ago, I wrote a story about a handful of inventors that were working on converting a 30hp outboard motor to an electric motor. They did get that project finished, and while it worked, it was still a little crude looking and had a maximum speed of only about 15 miles an hour.
Today, there are two companies that are commercially producing electric outboard motors. The fishing public is the target of these motors because of how they would be used and the battery life.
The first is a very normal looking outboard produced by All4Solar the Australian electric outboard motor specialist. All4Solar has announced a 30 hp version of its Aquawatt electric motor, which according to them will become the most powerful electric outboard motor in the world. Due to launch at next month’s Sanctuary Cove Boat Show on Australia’s Gold Coast, the 30 hp (22 kw) Aquawatt is claimed to be three times more powerful than any other manufacturer’s electric outboard.
Two versions of the Aquawatt motor are available – 20 hp (13 kw) and the 30 hp (22 kw), both driven by AC motors and powered by 48 V or 80 V LIFEPO4 batteries. As All4Solar’s name suggests, it can also sell all the gear to enable the batteries to be charged by photovoltaic solar panels, as well as a charger from the grid or by a generator. Anyone who operates a petrol outboard in a marine environment will be eager to finally have a viable alternative to existing petrol engines for larger boats. Electric outboards are more cost efficient to run, much quieter, are maintenance free and generate no hazardous emissions.
The new 30hp engine can also achieve speeds of more than 50 km/h (31 mph) with a four-meter boat. That’s about the size of a 14-foot Basstracker, so in the fishing world this is still considered to be a small outboard, it will fit into the small bass boat market. I have also learned that motors in the 70hp market are being developed but may be a few years down the road.
These motors use a lithium ion battery much like the ones in your better power tools and new electric cars.
Here in the US we have also seen electric motors being use to power fishing trips as well as testing their dependability.
A company call Electric Torqeedo, recognized as an innovative leader in electric propulsion, continues to open up new opportunities for adventure. The company was recently part of the first all solar-powered trip across Lake Powell. A Catacraft powered by a Torqeedo Cruise 2.0T Tiller motor crossed the lake, a reservoir on the Colorado River, which straddles the border between Utah and Arizona. This was a five-day trip, according to Jack Kloepfer, president of Jack’s Plastic Welding. “We did not even touch our oars, after we put the motor in the water, for about 85 miles.”
“The use of the electric motor was far more pleasant that I thought it would be,” continued Kloepfer. “There is little sound produced by the electric motor, and it is quite a contrast to the big blasting engines that are on the lake. It was quiet, peaceful motoring on Lake Powell with free solar power. We are hoping that others will follow, and use solar power for their recreation more often.”
This trip was to make a film and the reason for the extended stay on the water, but from all accounts, it was a big success.
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