|
|
Post by vasko on Sept 17, 2015 15:26:55 GMT
Hello All, I'm about to embark on a venture to produce a electrical outboard engines for dinghies and I need opinions regarding: Does the described engine seems like a viable option for you/us sailors ? Any comment is welcome ! Descriptions: 1. The design is quite different from anything that I have seen so far and we have filed a patent for it. 2. Problems that it solves : - No more smoky/noisy outboard - No need to carry fuel cans and all associated problems with filling the engine in agitated sea - No expenses for fuel - the engine has folding solar panel as part of the pack that can be left on the dinghy floor while on davits or while at the pontoon - No need to dismount the engine - it is light (12kg total) and can be left on the dinghy - No need to have pain in the neck because your head is turned one way ( the direction where you go) and you hand opposite way reaching the engine handle to be able to control the power and direction - the engine has a remote control with joystick - No lack of power as in all current electric motors ( the engine is about 2.5bhp equivalent) - Extremely good price - full pack less then Honda 2.3 outboard price ( e.g. nothing like Torqueedo hi-end pricing - some thousands for similar pack) 3. Brief decsriotion'; - The engine consists from a box ( about 60cmx30cmx12cm) with two motors on the lower end of the box ) which can be adjusted to go lower in the water if needed. - The box is mounted on the outer side of the dinghy stern plank - e.g. do not take space from the inside of the dinghy - All electronics and 80ah li-ion battery is in the box - The electronics has a compass and gps and display for messages - Two hi-power waterproof USB sockets for charging phones, tablets or navigations - Two remote controls with finger joystick and 5 buttons ( e.g. can be controlled with one hand only ) - Max speed is 6.5kt (3.2m dinghy with 2 people) - Max range 1h at max throttle - Total weight 12kb - Autopilot - Can keep direction no matter how you move inside the dinghy  - "Go to yacht" option e.g. you can ask the dinghy to return to the yacht using the same path to take the next batch of passengers ( that is why you need two remotes ) - Stay here option - you can go diving and ask the dinghy to stick around automatically - no need for anchor - Display GPS coordinates, power left, charging amps and heading - 60W 3 way folding panel as part of the pack. - Can be charged from the 12v system of the yacht or from the solar panel or both together. - Price for the full pack - less then Honda 2.3 outboard |
|
|
|
Post by saxofon on Sept 17, 2015 15:48:03 GMT
Sounds excellent! Very similar to a project on my todolist and you also add autopilot with its features. Nice concept, when can it be delivered?  ? |
|
|
|
Post by iancymru on Sept 17, 2015 18:31:02 GMT
Sounds good, the only thing that would make me think twice is the battery life, I think what ever its life it would be a good selling point to have a reserve of some description.
I think it would be an excellent addition even if one has an outboard for those short trips when sometimes lifting the outboard on/off makes you think twice. I want one.....
|
|
|
|
Post by Don Reaves on Sept 17, 2015 20:05:21 GMT
Sounds like a nice bit of kit as well as a fun project to work on.
Need any beta testers?
|
|
|
|
Post by jlasail on Sept 18, 2015 1:35:13 GMT
Perfect device, ready to buy one.
|
|
|
|
Post by MartyB on Sept 18, 2015 4:13:50 GMT
Issue I see at moment, is a Torqueedo 1003 is about the same to just above the price locally as a 2.3 Honda!
Hopefully you can produce this thing and do as you say. I know a number of locals with the 1003 torqueedos and like them overall. As long as one is not having to go super long distances at a very fast speed. Then a gas or Luhr LP motor is the better option.
I'm thinking hard on a 1003s for a recent dinghy purchase myself.
marty
|
|
|
|
Post by vasko on Sept 18, 2015 4:56:01 GMT
Battery Life : as any standard Li-Ion battery - 1000 cycles and about 8-10 years. - and of course it can be changed
Torqeedo 1003: has a excellent good look and design - drawbacks for me are : very expensive £1250~2000usd; small capacity battery (about 30ah) , average trust: 68lbs - most people feel that this is little bit less then they want (75lbs or 80lbs+ feels alot better)
|
|
|
|
Post by sitara on Sept 19, 2015 23:55:57 GMT
Sounds great - it also gets rid of the problem of carrying petrol on the boat. If I was shopping for a new outboard it would be on my list.
|
|
|
|
Post by mikebz on Sept 20, 2015 17:07:16 GMT
Sounds great - it also gets rid of the problem of carrying petrol on the boat. If I was shopping for a new outboard it would be on my list. Snap! |
|
|
|
Post by j24sailor on Sept 22, 2015 4:18:14 GMT
Sounds impressive. I would be interested. Especially with the find my boat after a couple of drinks ashore....not sure it gets you out of the drinking and driving charge  |
|
|
|
Post by vasko on Oct 5, 2015 8:32:48 GMT
All, Thank you very much for your feedback ! it is deeply appreciated ! The project is going well so far and I hope we will have a production model and production line setup before the start of the next season Cheers Vasko |
|
|
|
Post by vasko on Jun 7, 2016 7:04:30 GMT
Good news here Prototype if finally ready going for a month of sea trials and adjustents from 23rd of jun - will publish some videos from the sea trials |
|
|
|
Post by MickeyB on Jun 7, 2016 7:46:36 GMT
Serious congratulations!
Count me in as one of the new buyers when it works (and of course when the forum discount is applied ;-) )
Looking forward to the videos...
|
|
|
|
Post by Aroha on Jun 7, 2016 8:03:09 GMT
Recharge time is a significant issue . I have a torqedo but the very slow battery recharge using my inverter or even mains on my marina means I need at least 2 batteries if I intend to discharge a battery in any one day-an overnight charge is not sufficient - this is a problem
|
|
|
|
Post by saxofon on Jun 7, 2016 8:13:51 GMT
Excellent! I'm still waiting for the delivery here ;-) Will it be "hacker friendly"? I'm a embedded sw developer to profession, and seems I cannot stop hacking around even on off work hours... ? |
|
|
|
Post by iancymru on Jun 7, 2016 9:22:31 GMT
Congratulations and good luck its a great project, just hope its available outside Europe |
|
|
|
Post by hoppy on Jun 7, 2016 9:25:23 GMT
I missed this thread last year, interesting idea - Stay here option - you can go diving and ask the dinghy to stick around automatically I'd be a little concerned about this feature if I was trying to return to the dingy after the dive and the motor is running. Might be be better to put that feature on hold until you make a dive capable remote kill switch (look at how dive torches are turned on or off |
|
|
|
Post by MickeyB on Jun 7, 2016 9:47:12 GMT
I missed this thread last year, interesting idea - Stay here option - you can go diving and ask the dinghy to stick around automatically I'd be a little concerned about this feature if I was trying to return to the dingy after the dive and the motor is running. Might be be better to put that feature on hold until you make a dive capable remote kill switch (look at how dive torches are turned on or off I think he has probably thought about this, but hasn't shared his intellectual property yet. The circle of radius for a fix is around 5m so the dingy would fluctuate its position within this circle, and most divers shouldn't surface too near a dingy - although we all do. But when on the surface, a dingy with a mind of its own could be interesting to deal with I agree. |
|
|
|
Post by hoppy on Jun 7, 2016 9:53:39 GMT
- "Go to yacht" option e.g. you can ask the dinghy to return to the yacht using the same path to take the next batch of passengers ( that is why you need two remotes ) Given my FPV drone interest, adding an FPV camera and being able to control it remotely for beer delivery/pickup would be great, BUT...... I'd be worried about the legal ramifications of of the "Go to yacht" ... Law suits for damage to yachts that have swung into the return route and even worse, swimmers. This will be a problem for the dinghy owners and the manufacturer. Such a mode should be restricted to a line of sight, limited distance (you can see a swimmer easily from shore) and well within range of the remote. Whilst being hackable would be nice, the fact that the safety systems could be over ridden would be a concern. Hacking would have to be an owners own risk, warranty voiding issue and whatever else lawyers advise. |
|
|
|
Post by vasko on Jun 7, 2016 15:02:36 GMT
Recharge time is a significant issue . I have a torqedo but the very slow battery recharge using my inverter or even mains on my marina means I need at least 2 batteries if I intend to discharge a battery in any one day-an overnight charge is not sufficient - this is a problem you just get the top premium battery kit - LTO ( li-ti) and the charge time is 15-20 min it can charge with 6C - e.g. 240amps-300amps - but you will need a VERY powerfull alternator also . the plan is with 3 battery kits : cheap one 98 x 18650 cells 1ah each = 32ah = 45min at full trottle = $200 - charging time ~ 1h 30min medium one - 98 x 18650 cells 2.5ah = 80ah = 2h on full throttle = $500 - charging time ~ 3h-4h safe version 4x LiFePo4 - 40ah = 45min at full trottle = $300 - charging time 1h 30min extreme version 5 x LTO cells - 40ah = 45min at full trottle = $500 - charging time 15min - charging is only from alternator or existing battery bank - and very slow from 60w solar panels - part of the kit |
|
|
|
Post by vasko on Jun 7, 2016 15:04:17 GMT
Congratulations and good luck its a great project, just hope its available outside Europe for outside europe initially will be a kit - e.g everything except the batteries in the kit + company from which to buy the batteries localy - as Li-ion batteries are nightmere to transport in small quantities |
|
|
|
Post by vasko on Jun 7, 2016 15:06:10 GMT
I missed this thread last year, interesting idea - Stay here option - you can go diving and ask the dinghy to stick around automatically I'd be a little concerned about this feature if I was trying to return to the dingy after the dive and the motor is running. Might be be better to put that feature on hold until you make a dive capable remote kill switch (look at how dive torches are turned on or off yes - i'm planing to add cover around the props - for people who are concerned about damage from the props... |
|
|
|
Post by vasko on Jun 7, 2016 15:09:17 GMT
- "Go to yacht" option e.g. you can ask the dinghy to return to the yacht using the same path to take the next batch of passengers ( that is why you need two remotes ) Given my FPV drone interest, adding an FPV camera and being able to control it remotely for beer delivery/pickup would be great, BUT...... I'd be worried about the legal ramifications of of the "Go to yacht" ... Law suits for damage to yachts that have swung into the return route and even worse, swimmers. This will be a problem for the dinghy owners and the manufacturer. Such a mode should be restricted to a line of sight, limited distance (you can see a swimmer easily from shore) and well within range of the remote. Whilst being hackable would be nice, the fact that the safety systems could be over ridden would be a concern. Hacking would have to be an owners own risk, warranty voiding issue and whatever else lawyers advise. yep the plan is to have EU version and free world version in the EU version all nice features are not availale... |
|
|
|
Post by vasko on Jun 22, 2016 12:55:49 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by sailbleu on Jun 22, 2016 18:55:07 GMT
Would love to see some pics.
Regards
|
|
? 
