Converting Diesel to Electric Motor
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Making Good Money Bad
Far better to fix what you have.
There have been lots of threads on here. Check the archives.
If you are just looking for an experiment, and don't care about expense to value, then there are plenty of resources out there to help.
Good luck regardless of what you decide.
Far better to fix what you have.
There have been lots of threads on here. Check the archives.
If you are just looking for an experiment, and don't care about expense to value, then there are plenty of resources out there to help.
Good luck regardless of what you decide.
I agree with Rick
The main problem with electric is the lack of ability of batteries to store a useful amount of energy in comparison to the energy stored in fuel. Fuel has it hands down in BTU/lb. An aggressive electrical setup would still only let you cruise at hull speed for only around an hour before you need to recharge your totally dead batteries. If I was investing in more efficient ways of powering the boat I'd go with new and more sails not electric. The additon of a light wind sail can make a big differance to your sailing.
The main problem with electric is the lack of ability of batteries to store a useful amount of energy in comparison to the energy stored in fuel. Fuel has it hands down in BTU/lb. An aggressive electrical setup would still only let you cruise at hull speed for only around an hour before you need to recharge your totally dead batteries. If I was investing in more efficient ways of powering the boat I'd go with new and more sails not electric. The additon of a light wind sail can make a big differance to your sailing.
Completely impractical unless you're also planning to add a diesel generator to power it. Otherwise your propulsion system will only be useful for moving the boat within the marina occasionally. If you plan on adding the generator, then it begs the question - why replace the perfectly good diesel you already have?
I agree with all the above
Unless your just really into saving the environment, you just spending money for not much of anything. Even if your an enviromental nut, I don't see where you would be doing much good.
Unless your just really into saving the environment, you just spending money for not much of anything. Even if your an enviromental nut, I don't see where you would be doing much good.
Why?
I think the most important next questions to ask are:
But, you will find that for weight, expense, space, and reliability, you can not beat a small diesel with an electric system. And, I am skeptical of the green claims of the electric drive proponents. They act as if the electricity that comes off the grid is free and free of pollution, which, of course, it is not; and, there are environmental costs associated with batter manufacture and disposal/recycling. I haven't done the math, but I bet that a small diesel that stays in service 25+ years, which burns fuel efficiently is one of the least environmental cost alternatives to sailboat auxiliary propulsion, once all of the factors are taken into consideration.
I think the most important next questions to ask are:
- what is the motivation? what are you trying to gain, or get away from, by converting?
- have you done any research on this topc?
But, you will find that for weight, expense, space, and reliability, you can not beat a small diesel with an electric system. And, I am skeptical of the green claims of the electric drive proponents. They act as if the electricity that comes off the grid is free and free of pollution, which, of course, it is not; and, there are environmental costs associated with batter manufacture and disposal/recycling. I haven't done the math, but I bet that a small diesel that stays in service 25+ years, which burns fuel efficiently is one of the least environmental cost alternatives to sailboat auxiliary propulsion, once all of the factors are taken into consideration.
Simple,
Just convert your keel to a new replacement battery keel, with integral plates.
make all that lead do double duty,
better design that keel agm style, so that the acid does not spill when the boat heels.
seriously............
Anyway........
a sailboat already is a hybrid vehicle. keep your aux power plant.
There is little improvement in the environment by smelting 2500 lbs of lead ore for batteries replaced every 7 years instead 1200 lbs of iron ore for a diesel engine (That lasts 30 30 years) or 10 tons (ore & natural gas) for rare earth metal hi tech batteries.
Batteries just store and lose energy, they do not capture it. And while the metals are recycleable, it is not a particulary good solution for conventional monohulled saoilboats.
now catamaran on the other hand, it a much better and viable proposition, since you are not carrying 30 % of your displacement as penalty weight., and the tradeoffs for storage space on a cat are much better .
make all that lead do double duty,
better design that keel agm style, so that the acid does not spill when the boat heels.
seriously............
Anyway........
a sailboat already is a hybrid vehicle. keep your aux power plant.
There is little improvement in the environment by smelting 2500 lbs of lead ore for batteries replaced every 7 years instead 1200 lbs of iron ore for a diesel engine (That lasts 30 30 years) or 10 tons (ore & natural gas) for rare earth metal hi tech batteries.
Batteries just store and lose energy, they do not capture it. And while the metals are recycleable, it is not a particulary good solution for conventional monohulled saoilboats.
now catamaran on the other hand, it a much better and viable proposition, since you are not carrying 30 % of your displacement as penalty weight., and the tradeoffs for storage space on a cat are much better .
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