New innovative electric outboard wins DAME R&D award

[Zagato]

Its hard to be sold on an electric outboard with limited range when you could have nearly 3 honda 2.5 hp for same money.

Exactly why i rejected getting one. For me the Torqueedo is just too much money for what it is and after research they are not without their problems (but what is these days). I dismissed it also on weight grounds as it is only only 3kg lighter than a Honda 2.5 HP. This is only my judgement on my wants and budget for an outboard. I am sure there are many happy Torqueedo owners out there, they have developed quite an extensive range for many applications. If their price ever drops I might be interested if I need one but fortunately I have discovered I don,t need an outboard at all for my mooring, so something less to worry about, pay out for and deal with ?

Sent from my iPad

 

[pvb]

This is probably old news for Torqueedo owners but just in case you have bought second hand...

GILCHING, Germany, June 14, 2019 — Torqeedo GmbH, Gilching, has determined a possible safety risk in connection with the batteries of the outboard motors “Travel” and “Ultralight”: There is a possible leak in the battery housing, therefore it cannot be ruled out that water may penetrate into the battery housing.
There is a corresponding risk in particular if a leaky battery becomes completely or partially submerged underwater, so that more water can penetrate into the battery housing.
If water penetrates into the housing, it may cause a chemical reaction inside the battery case under unfavorable conditions, resulting in fire and/or bursting of the battery housing.
As a responsible manufacturer, Torqeedo wants to exclude the risk of injury and inform its customers.
We will perform an inspection for the following models and serial numbers and – if necessary – repair of the batteries:

Model	Serial number (S. no.) from … – to …
Travel	1001… – 1752…
Ultralight	1117… – 1826…

Q

Link here...
Torqeedo Safety Warning Press Release

Old news - almost 18 months old! Torqeedo contacted owners and arranged free checks, with free shipping, and free repairs if needed.

 

[nestawayboats]

For those of you not familiar with our previous posts, and to be absolutely clear, we are involved commercially with electric outboards. We know a bit about them and sometimes feel compelled to post, if someone else doesn't put the information up first (or puts up information we see as incorrect).

We looked at the Temo 450 quite a bit. Comparing the specifications:
- New Temo 450 has 450W motor and 290Wh battery, price approx £1320 (1450 Euros at current 1.10 exchange rate)
- New Torqeedo 603, which was announced at about the same time but didn't win an award, has 600W motor and 500Wh battery, price approx £1350 (RRP £1499 but about 10% off Torqeedo can often be found in UK)
- Epropulsion Spirit PLUS has 1000W motor and 1276Wh battery, RRP £1650
- Torqeedo 1103CS has 1100W motor and 916Wh battery, price approx £1800 (RRP £2019 but as comment above)

To equate that to run times and range, we need a common denominator. Let's go with a power output of 450W, that should push most dinghies along pretty well. And it's the maximum output for the Temo so we can't compare higher power outputs. The Temo running at 450W will run for 39mins; the Torqeedo 603 at 450W 66mins; the Epropulsion Spirit PLUS for 170mins; the Torqeedo 1103 for 122mins. The Epropulsion will run for over 4 times as long as the Temo, at the same power output.

So the Temo has the least power and the least battery capacity by some margin. And, unless they've done something very clever with the propeller (I can't think what), then because it's at an angle it's probably less effective than that power output would suggest (some of the effort will be trying to lift stern of boat rather than push it forward). The Torqeedos and Epropulsion are all designed such that the leg/propeller can be trimmed to run vertically (ie most of the effort pushes forwards rather than up).

Where the Temo is extremely competitive is weight: partly because it's got less battery capacity; partly because the battery is integrated into the shaft (clever weight and space saving idea); and partly because it hangs off a rowlock fitting, rather than the usual (heavier) clamp system. And with less power to transmit the whole thing can be more lightly built too.

Weight is definitely important. However in our experience the number one concern of most potential electric outboard buyers is range, and it's very rare that a lower capacity battery is chosen where there is a choice.

Drifting slightly from Temo, the new Torqeedo 603 doesn't seem to be "out there" much yet, and we haven't seen in the flesh, but so far as we can tell it's a downrated 1103. According to the specification and photos the leg, bulb (motor housing) and tiller are identical in size and weight. It has a lower power output (600W vs 1100W for the 1103), and a lower capacity battery (500Wh vs 916Wh). Interestingly the new battery is said to be a completely new design and apparently it floats (as does the Epropulsion battery, but not the Torqeedo 916Wh battery). The 603 is about 25% cheaper than the 1103.

In launching the 603 Torqeedo have discontinued their long-running 503 and 1003 models, so their small motors (ie the 603 and 1103) are now all brushless DC direct drive. The main advantages of direct drive being that they are more mechanically robust, and don't make that infamous 1003 gearbox whining noise...

Ian Thomson
Nestaway Boats Ltd

 

[Concerto]

For those of you not familiar with our previous posts, and to be absolutely clear, we are involved commercially with electric outboards. We know a bit about them and sometimes feel compelled to post, if someone else doesn't put the information up first (or puts up information we see as incorrect).

We looked at the Temo 450 quite a bit. Comparing the specifications:
- New Temo 450 has 450W motor and 290Wh battery, price approx £1320 (1450 Euros at current 1.10 exchange rate)
- New Torqeedo 603, which was announced at about the same time but didn't win an award, has 600W motor and 500Wh battery, price approx £1350 (RRP £1499 but about 10% off Torqeedo can often be found in UK)
- Epropulsion Spirit PLUS has 1000W motor and 1276Wh battery, RRP £1650
- Torqeedo 1103CS has 1100W motor and 916Wh battery, price approx £1800 (RRP £2019 but as comment above)

To equate that to run times and range, we need a common denominator. Let's go with a power output of 450W, that should push most dinghies along pretty well. And it's the maximum output for the Temo so we can't compare higher power outputs. The Temo running at 450W will run for 39mins; the Torqeedo 603 at 450W 66mins; the Epropulsion Spirit PLUS for 170mins; the Torqeedo 1103 for 122mins. The Epropulsion will run for over 4 times as long as the Temo, at the same power output.

So the Temo has the least power and the least battery capacity by some margin. And, unless they've done something very clever with the propeller (I can't think what), then because it's at an angle it's probably less effective than that power output would suggest (some of the effort will be trying to lift stern of boat rather than push it forward). The Torqeedos and Epropulsion are all designed such that the leg/propeller can be trimmed to run vertically (ie most of the effort pushes forwards rather than up).

Where the Temo is extremely competitive is weight: partly because it's got less battery capacity; partly because the battery is integrated into the shaft (clever weight and space saving idea); and partly because it hangs off a rowlock fitting, rather than the usual (heavier) clamp system. And with less power to transmit the whole thing can be more lightly built too.

Weight is definitely important. However in our experience the number one concern of most potential electric outboard buyers is range, and it's very rare that a lower capacity battery is chosen where there is a choice.

Drifting slightly from Temo, the new Torqeedo 603 doesn't seem to be "out there" much yet, and we haven't seen in the flesh, but so far as we can tell it's a downrated 1103. According to the specification and photos the leg, bulb (motor housing) and tiller are identical in size and weight. It has a lower power output (600W vs 1100W for the 1103), and a lower capacity battery (500Wh vs 916Wh). Interestingly the new battery is said to be a completely new design and apparently it floats (as does the Epropulsion battery, but not the Torqeedo 916Wh battery). The 603 is about 25% cheaper than the 1103.

In launching the 603 Torqeedo have discontinued their long-running 503 and 1003 models, so their small motors (ie the 603 and 1103) are now all brushless DC direct drive. The main advantages of direct drive being that they are more mechanically robust, and don't make that infamous 1003 gearbox whining noise...

Ian Thomson
Nestaway Boats Ltd

Thank you for that informative post.

 

[Concerto]

Just been reading of a new use for a Torqeedo.

Torqeedo powers world’s first electric hydrofoil speedboat - Marine Industry News