Quackers
Member
One thing that I do find interesting about epropulsion is that they advertise as having a generation capacity, but there is a paucity of detail beyond that mere statement.
Electric outboard - recommendations
- Thread starter AndyG35
- Start date
One thing that I do find interesting about epropulsion is that they advertise as having a generation capacity, but there is a paucity of detail beyond that mere statement.
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
I'm pretty sure I saw e-Propulsion outboards at the Bosun's Locker in port Edgar. They looked quite nice, but still hella pricey.
adwuk
Well-Known Member
One unanticipated benefit of an electric outboard is that they are great at sneaking up on wildlife. All the main benefits are well documented, and we are very pleased to have ours.
nestawayboats
Well-Known Member
The regeneration ability is specific to the Epropulsion Spirit EVO (not the PLUS), which was new to the market this year. So the information about generation capacity is not everywhere yet, but - as a shortcut for those who don't want to trawl the internet until they find it - this is what we say on our site:
MORE ON THE REGENERATIVE CHARGING
As mentioned above, the new Spirit EVO can be fitted to the back of your yacht (on a suitable bracket, not supplied), and used to recharge either the Spirit battery or (once the optional 12V charging box is available) your yacht’s 12V battery system. It is not quite as efficient as a good dedicated hydrogenerator, nor does it operate from quite as low a speed, but one might also point out this is a £325 option for your electric outboard, rather than a standalone device that costs £3000 plus!
The output is rated as follows:
– below 4 knots, non-operational
– 50W at 4.3 knots
– 140W at 6 knots
– 260W at 8 knots
– 360W at 10 knots, above which it cuts out
There's a lot more information on our page about these motors - Epropulsion Spirit PLUS & NEW EVO 1kW Electric Outboard – Nestaway Boats - but feel free to ask away if we've missed something.
Ian Thomson
Nestaway Boats Ltd
nestawayboats
Well-Known Member
Electric outboards are taking a growing (and already significant) share of the (new) outboard market below 4hp. Maybe it's self-fulfilling, we as a company are rather enthusiastic about electric outboards, but nowadays we very rarely get asked about new petrol outboards in that segment.
Obviously there is a huge legacy of petrol outboards still out there, going back 30 years and more, so they still outnumber electric outboards overall.
Above 4hp it's perfectly possible, the products do exist (and some sales are happening) but the price differential to "go electric" becomes increasingly difficult to swallow - mainly because you need correspondingly more battery, and lithium is really the only logical choice.
Ian, Nestaway Boats Ltd
philiphenson
Member
What is the situation with salt water corrosion with electric outboards? How often do you change the prop shaft seals? Presumably if the seat seal fails the electric motor is finished? How much are spares?
nestawayboats
Well-Known Member
Re salt water corrosion the Torqeedo and Epropulsion motors are designed for use in all waters, it's not the same situation as "trolling motors" where there are often different "grades" of what is otherwise the same motor (eg "saltwater" and "freshwater" models). The new-in-2019 Torqeedo 1103 has an optional anode if you're going to leave it immersed in water when not in use (eg on a mooring). I don't think you really need it if it's just being used on and off the back of a dinghy, there was not even an option for an anode on the predecessor model (1003). The Epropulsion Spirit motors have several anodes as standard.
But with the batteries removed the Torqeedo and Epropulsion motor units only weigh 10kg or so, there doesn't seem a logical reason to leave them immersed for any significant length of time when not being used. Unlike a petrol motor that weighs 15-25kg - and can only be laid down on one side, smells of petrol etc. The electric motors would be very easy to take off and put in a locker or cabin where they'll be less prone to theft and growing weed (and indeed electrolytic corrosion).
Re the shaft seals, off the top of my head Torqeedo say 5 years and Epropulsion say 10. But that is probably on the cautious side, for a heavy user - there are certainly many Torqeedos out there from about 2010 onwards (when the 1003 was launched) that have never had anything done to them and still operating fine. I have never heard of a seal failing. (Not that I'd recommend ignoring maintenance schedules, I'm just saying that many have!) I don't think either manufacturer considers these to be user-serviceable parts.
Ian, Nestaway Boats Ltd
Poignard
Well-Known Member
Ian
1. The Torqueedo 1106 manual warns against running it out of the water. As it has no cooling system, why is that a bad thing to do? Are there water - lubricated bearings?
2. Is your firm authorised to carry out repairs or do they have to be returned to the manufacturer?
1. The Torqueedo 1106 manual warns against running it out of the water. As it has no cooling system, why is that a bad thing to do? Are there water - lubricated bearings?
2. Is your firm authorised to carry out repairs or do they have to be returned to the manufacturer?
nestawayboats
Well-Known Member
(1) Torqeedo 1103. There is no circulatory cooling system like a petrol motor, but the motor is cooled by the fact of being in the water (when it is in the water). As electric motors make much less heat than petrol ones, and the motor is underwater in a metal housing, this is sufficient cooling. As I've said somewhere else we wouldn't recommend going against the manufacturer's recommendations, but we ourselves frequently run them in air for brief periods without issue.
(2) We carry out repairs to Epropulsions but not Torqeedos (there are three authorised repair centres in UK). But if it needs pointing out I'll point out neither brand needs any annual servicing or maintenance, other than simple DIY (like greasing the clamp screws). And there is far less to go wrong in general, compared with petrol motors, most particularly (biggest problem in recent years with petrol motors) no carb to block up with evaporated fuel residue.
Ian, Nestaway Boats Ltd
stranded
Well-Known Member
Torqueedo 1003. 8 1/2 years of total neglect - maybe a couple of freshwater rinses, many moons ago. Lives uncovered in the push pit. Still just goes when asked.
AntarcticPilot
Well-Known Member
Interestingly, the same goes for electric cars. No oil changes, no coolant, no cambelt - basically, tires, windscreen wipers and brake pads are about the only wearing parts! First service at 2 years...
Poignard
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that helpful advice, Ian.
pvb
Well-Known Member
First service at 2 years is common for lots of ICE cars too.
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
Such a shame that they appear to make their structures and suspension just as corrodable as those of IC powered cars. But then, who wants to make cars which last for ever?
AntarcticPilot
Well-Known Member
Perhaps, but it's a lot later than the first service on others from the same manufacturer. I'd guess that it could be extended much further, but VW seem to be on the cautious side for service intervals.
AntarcticPilot
Well-Known Member
I've had no corrosion at all on any car I've bought new in the last 15 years. In fact, independent mechanics have commented on how clean the undersides have been.
Plum
Well-Known Member
Lip seals, in most cases, are not designed to run dry. If there is no liquid present the lip will get hotter and will wear quicker.
www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
pvb
Well-Known Member
Quite right! In days gone by, cars used to rust away rapidly. Exhausts used to disappear in a few years. Wheelarches bubbled up with rust. Doesn't happen now.
Quackers
Member
Ditto, though in my case I buy second hand but for three people.
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
I think it depends on the cars you buy. I had an old Golf estate which I bought at 200,000 miles and ran to 300,000 miles, when it was just beginning to rust. I also had a Mazda MX-5 which was lacework at 15 years old.