Electric outboard - my expensive mistake

[FWB]

How's the silence on the big boat while you recharge the battery? Sorry I know I'm being a bit glass half full and I'm sure that eventually it'll be the way to go.

I charge the Torqeedo battery via an inverter usually during periods of motoring or shore power during visits to the harbour.
The real advantage of the Torqeedo for me is the fact that it splits into three. It's effortless to lower it into the tender.
It has a constant display of the available charge so it doesn't suddenly die on you.

 

[lustyd]

I charge the Torqeedo battery via an inverter usually during periods of motoring or shore power during visits to the harbour.
The real advantage of the Torqeedo for me is the fact that it splits into three. It's effortless to lower it into the tender.
It has a constant display of the available charge so it doesn't suddenly die on you.

I'll accept that it's lighter, but will be interested on your opinion in 2-3 years when you need a replacement battery at nearly £500, along with what you plan to do with the old battery which holds 50% charge and must be disposed of correctly (i.e. don't chuck it in the bin!!)

 

[FWB]

I'll accept that it's lighter, but will be interested on your opinion in 2-3 years when you need a replacement battery at nearly £500, along with what you plan to do with the old battery which holds 50% charge and must be disposed of correctly (i.e. don't chuck it in the bin!!)

OK I'll let you know. I'm not concerned, when and if it needs a new battery I will buy one.

 

[lustyd]

OK I'll let you know. I'm not concerned, when and if it needs a new battery I will buy one.

Sorry Dylan I didn't mean it was a poor choice for everyone. After all, someone needs to be an early adopter for these things to evolve and you clearly have good reasons for doing so.

 

[MikeP 44]

what you plan to do with the old battery which holds 50% charge and must be disposed of correctly (i.e. don't chuck it in the bin!!)

You put it in a bucket filled with saltwater and leave it outdoors (avoid direct sunlight) until you can read 0 volts at the terminals. Then you can safely bin it, as lithium isn't a heavy metal like Cadmium.

 

[onesea]

Sorry Dylan I didn't mean it was a poor choice for everyone. After all, someone needs to be an early adopter for these things to evolve and you clearly have good reasons for doing so.

I have mentioned before but the day that small diesel water cooled gen sets become affordable, for small boat owners I can see diesel electric taking off..

I would of loved to have "silent running" on my last oat for 30 minutes at a time, as long as I could recharge anytime and not stop the engine...

I could then also have an electric stove etc.

There does seem to be a fundamental floor in the design of Torqueedos with errors all the time...

 

[SayGudday]

I like the idea of electric outboards...I just don't like the idea of spending a fortune on a bit of slick-looking design which mayn't be vastly better than the most basic of the same variety...

..okay, Torqeedo uses lithium batteries? Does that cover the huge mark-up over Minn Kota?

Totally agree. I love the idea of not running our of gas (as long as there is sun to power my batteries) but the expense is just too much for me to bear.

 

[Seven Spades]

I will wait for a Graphene powered outboard in fact I think I would change to an electric motor on my boat if they get it working properly.

 

[Piers]

Thanks Piers. I will be interested to see the response.

I feel sure the problem is due to the water ingress. I guess my point is to warn people that advertising that uses the word Waterproof does not really mean Waterproof in the sense that the average punter would expect.
After the incident it horrified me when I discovered that most of the vital electronics for this outboard are in the shaft (and not encapsulated in resin). I thought all the delicate bits would be above water, possibly in the handle or battery. Apparently, only a couple of 'O' rings are between the electronics in the shaft and the water. Does not sound robust to me.

Richard

email sent - will let you know when I hear back...

It's a shame you haven't been enjoying your Torqeedo. Mine's been fine and I love not having to bother with petrol, servicing, and smell. I do have a spare battery and always have it in the boat with me yet I've never had to use it in anger.

 

[Fourbees]

email sent - will let you know when I hear back...

It's a shame you haven't been enjoying your Torqeedo. Mine's been fine and I love not having to bother with petrol, servicing, and smell. I do have a spare battery and always have it in the boat with me yet I've never had to use it in anger.

One of our main reasons for getting an original model Torqeedo, about 5 years ago (maybe more) was that we didn't want petrol on board. It's bad enough having gas, and our last boat had a petrol outboard; I still recall with horror some of the adventures trundling petrol tanks to filling stations in remote spots. Anyway, our Torqeedo has been great for powering the tender. It flaked out last season and we had to send it for repairs to a Torqeedo agent, but now it works again so that was a lot cheaper than getting a new one. One thing I've learnt, though, is make sure it's fully dry before putting it away in its bag (at least, if you've got the old model). Internal corrosion is what did for ours so we'll be more careful in future.

 

[davidwf]

In fairness to Torqeedo the unit was not fully assembled when you dropped it in the water, i.e. only the shaft fell in. I suspect that the unit is only truly waterproof when it is fully assembled and it's unreasonable to expect the component parts once separated to have the same level of protection.

 

[dleroc]

Well I bought an 'excursion' electric outboard, new, from Ebay just to get me to and from the the mooring using a golf buggy battery.

It does the job, the silence is wonderful and I can look around and enjoy the scenery.

It's sent from Germany and costs £150.

Instructions are interesting when they thank you for purchasing and 'wish you could enjoy it'!

 

[Piers]

Thanks Piers. I will be interested to see the response.

I feel sure the problem is due to the water ingress. I guess my point is to warn people that advertising that uses the word Waterproof does not really mean Waterproof in the sense that the average punter would expect.
After the incident it horrified me when I discovered that most of the vital electronics for this outboard are in the shaft (and not encapsulated in resin). I thought all the delicate bits would be above water, possibly in the handle or battery. Apparently, only a couple of 'O' rings are between the electronics in the shaft and the water. Does not sound robust to me.

Richard

I've already had a response from Torqeedo's UK Supremo, which says,

"I never like to hear of an unhappy Torqeedo customer. Please give him my contact details and I will be happy to discuss with him, and I hope, put a smile back on his face.

"Are you at London? If so I will have the new 80hp motor on a boat on the water so you can come out for a blast around the dock.

So I'll PM his contat details. Do let us all know what happens - and maybe if you are at the London boat show, you (and anyone) can have a blast in the 80HP Torqeedo boat!

Piers

 

[mainsail1]

The 'UK Supremo' of Torqeedo advises me that the error message on my outboard is a software fault of which they are already aware and he is going to ask Germany whether a fix is yet available.
I won't even ask why I was not told this last May. Anyway, all you Torqeedo owners, if you get an error message E45 you are apparently up the Swanny and better get paddling!

 

[Boo2]

They have their limitations but for me the selling point was the fact that it splits into three making it very easy to fit onto a tippy tender.

I like the idea that you can avoid having petrol on the boat and also recharge from all your on-board sources if far from habitation. The price has put me off buying one but in fairness twice the price of an equivalent 4-stroke o/b isn't too far off the pace.

Boo2

 

[Boo2]

But is there any metallic lithium in a rechargeable lithium battery ?

Dunno, but one of the ways I have heard of disposing of LiPo batteries used by the toy aeroplane crown is to slit the casing and leave the battery in salt water for a few hours so whatever is inside them it doesn't sound like much excitement transpires. Haven't tried it myself, mind...

Boo2

 

[Piers]

The 'UK Supremo' of Torqeedo advises me that the error message on my outboard is a software fault of which they are already aware and he is going to ask Germany whether a fix is yet available.
I won't even ask why I was not told this last May. Anyway, all you Torqeedo owners, if you get an error message E45 you are apparently up the Swanny and better get paddling!

Hi Mainsail1. Pleased John is looking into matters for you. I have no idea why your Dealer didn't know how to advise you. Which was the Dealer?

However, I'm pleased to have been able to offer the help. Let's hope it comes to something for you. I'm sure John will keep me informed.

Regards.

 

[Piers]

Hi Mainsail1. Pleased John is looking into matters for you. I have no idea why your Dealer didn't know how to advise you. Which was the Dealer?

However, I'm pleased to have been able to offer the help. Let's hope it comes to something for you. I'm sure John will keep me informed.

Regards.

Just heard from John (Torqeedo Supremo) who tells me,

1) The error message is a software bug which arises on occasions when going from reverse to forward and vis versa, and there's a software upgrade solution for this. It's nothing to do with the motor itself.

2) John is sending suitable packaging so there's no need to be concerned about damage in transit. The software upgrade will be done at Torqeedo's Cambridge Centre.

3) The work will, of course, be done free of charge.

A succesful outcom? Another feather in the cap for the forum?

Piers

 

[lustyd]

Just heard from John (Torqeedo Supremo) who tells me,

1) The error message is a software bug which arises on occasions when going from reverse to forward and vis versa, and there's a software upgrade solution for this. It's nothing to do with the motor itself.

2) John is sending suitable packaging so there's no need to be concerned about damage in transit. The software upgrade will be done at Torqeedo's Cambridge Centre.

3) The work will, of course, be done free of charge.

A succesful outcom? Another feather in the cap for the forum?

Piers

Why on earth is there software in the first place? Surely this is one of those occam's razor moments where simpler is better and forward/reverse should be a switch and on/off should also be a switch? Next they'll be trying to sell you apps for your outboard!

 

[Piers]

Why on earth is there software in the first place? Surely this is one of those occam's razor moments where simpler is better and forward/reverse should be a switch and on/off should also be a switch? Next they'll be trying to sell you apps for your outboard!

It's a good question and I have no idea at all. Would you like me to find out for you?

Piers