Mctavish
Member
Anyone ever tried using a non-Torqueedo solar panel with a Travel motor?
Torqueedo + non-proprietary solar panel
- Thread starter Mctavish
- Start date
sailorman
Well-known member
No i have a 2T outboard & 5 lts can
pvb
Well-known member
Haven't tried it myself, but as long as you adhere to the specs in the Torqeedo manual, there won't be a problem. For the odd times I use mine, I find the standard battery capacity more than adequate. I've been trundling around the marina in the dinghy this afternoon, and after half an hour or so the battery was still at 86%. It's an astonishly well-conceived product.
FWB
N/A
There is a discussion here which may be of help...
http://thetorqeedoshop.com.au/range-extension-options-for-torqeedo-1003-and-ultralight/
http://thetorqeedoshop.com.au/range-extension-options-for-torqeedo-1003-and-ultralight/
Colvic Watson
Well-known member
sailorman
Well-known member
You sold yours PDQ duckieElectric outboards are a bit modern for you
Colvic Watson
Well-known member
I used the money to buy a second bowthruster, I know how much you like them.
Fergal
Member
Without wishing to hijack this thread but am interested in the responses.
I have had awful service from Torqeedo purchasing a Travel 1003 at the end of March and waiting over a month for delivery I am still awaiting their 12v charger (due end June !!!)
I am reluctant to use a non approved charger to avoid any warranty issues.
I have had awful service from Torqeedo purchasing a Travel 1003 at the end of March and waiting over a month for delivery I am still awaiting their 12v charger (due end June !!!)
I am reluctant to use a non approved charger to avoid any warranty issues.
pvb
Well-known member
You can easily make your own 12v charging lead. The dimensions of the plug are given in the Torqeedo manual, I found that an old Compaq laptop mains charger had the correct size plug, so I just cut the lead off and wired a cigar lighter plug on the end. There's no electrickery in the 12v lead.
Alternatively, phone Seamark Nunn - they are Torqeedo service dealers and are very helpful.
Mctavish
Member
Who did you buy from?
Redfox226
Member
Fergal - their 12v 'charger' appears to be just a lead with a box which contains a switch and an LED. Apparently all the charge control happens inside the battery. Buy a plug which fits the socket on the battery (e.g.Maplin) and make up your own lead. Good choice of motor, pushes my 20fter well enough.
Fergal
Member
Thanks for the advice. I will have a go.
McTavish - I would rather not say who the dealer is since I feel the delivery issues are more with Torqeedo themselves.
I emailed their CEO direct but have had no response.
McTavish - I would rather not say who the dealer is since I feel the delivery issues are more with Torqeedo themselves.
I emailed their CEO direct but have had no response.
FWB
N/A
As has been said just make up a lead but put a 3amp fuse in the line. Don't blow the 4 amp fuse in the battery.
I made a lead up with cigar plug and 5.5/2.5mm plug with inline fuse.
I made a lead up with cigar plug and 5.5/2.5mm plug with inline fuse.
pvb
Well-known member
When charging from a 12v battery, the Torqeedo's internal electronics govern the charge rate (there's a step-up converter to convert the 12v input to the 30+v required for charging). My understanding is that the danger of blowing the battery's internal fuse is only when using solar panels or external voltage converters, in which case a different charging system in the Torqeedo battery is used.
Mctavish
Member
That certainly was of help. Bit surprised to see there on the torqueedo shop page the following:
"So this brings us nicely to talk about the main group who would like to get a Torqeedo 1003 but it does not have enough range. And in this case, it really does not have enough range. The scenario is this. You have a small sailing boat, around 20ft in length, and you often need to travel under power in navigation channels or rivers and where you might need to go against a current for a while, or for a long distance."
The same page gives a solution to the apparent lack of range and most people use the 1003 for a dinghy - don't they - but it is designed to "easily propel" daysailers up to 1.5 tons (though Torqueedo do explain how displacement increases the requirement of power, etc. etc.)
Last edited:
DavidSMN
New member
In reply to some earlier comments in the thread and maybe to help.
Torqeedo are a little guilty of announcing new products a touch early, not allowing for any production issues that may arise. This can be frustrating.
We have been manufacturing 12V leads for a couple of years to address the gap in the accessory range, it can be as simple as a economic plug, we chose to use a Blue Sea product and the genuine Torqeedo waterproof lead with some electronics to protect the battery with indicators. The biggest issue would be cross polarity, as the battery has no protection for this, so the lead should really take this into account.
The 1145-00 (up till 2014) battery will not take any voltage, it is happy 10-15V as long as the current is over 4A . Above 21V is fine as well but the current must be less 4A. There are separate channels for this. Outside of these it will either not charge or damage the battery. Some changes for 2015 batteries though.
Range is always going to be a balance of portability and capacity, at least the reporting is very accurate. Also it can be charged whilst being used, to boost this, or you just have to buy another battery - sorry.
TQ in Germany do normally reply , but there are 3 service centres in the UK and they should be able to help with most queries a little quicker maybe.
Hope this helps
Regards
David
Torqeedo are a little guilty of announcing new products a touch early, not allowing for any production issues that may arise. This can be frustrating.
We have been manufacturing 12V leads for a couple of years to address the gap in the accessory range, it can be as simple as a economic plug, we chose to use a Blue Sea product and the genuine Torqeedo waterproof lead with some electronics to protect the battery with indicators. The biggest issue would be cross polarity, as the battery has no protection for this, so the lead should really take this into account.
The 1145-00 (up till 2014) battery will not take any voltage, it is happy 10-15V as long as the current is over 4A . Above 21V is fine as well but the current must be less 4A. There are separate channels for this. Outside of these it will either not charge or damage the battery. Some changes for 2015 batteries though.
Range is always going to be a balance of portability and capacity, at least the reporting is very accurate. Also it can be charged whilst being used, to boost this, or you just have to buy another battery - sorry.
TQ in Germany do normally reply , but there are 3 service centres in the UK and they should be able to help with most queries a little quicker maybe.
Hope this helps
Regards
David
jfkal
Active member
As long as it is exactly 12V its fine. 12V meaning 12V and not 13V or 13.8V or whatever else.
pvb
Well-known member
Not so, the Torqeedo will charge from a range of voltages.
jfkal
Active member
Sure. But the battery pack gets very hot at higher voltage. Not a good thing I suspect. I tried.
RupertW
Well-known member
Although it's less efficient I find it much faster charging using the normal (and now fast) mains charger and an inverter off the main battery bank, which can be charged any way you like. I cannot understand why anyone would use the Torqueedo solar panel given much cheaper alternatives
