Terry K wrote:
As with hybrid autos, generator / battery / electric drive rigs have
advantages and disadvantages.

One hp = 750 watts, about.

a 5 hp generator produces about 3750 watts of electricity steady state,
a little more for a second or two startup, whatever the voltage /
current output might be.

An electric motor might be able to provide more horsepower than that
for a short while, using batteries as "nitro" for your boat, while
otherwise smoothing the power available or even recharging at a dock.

Small batteries will provide short bursts of "overdrive" for a short
period, larger ones proportionately.

The weight you might save in batteries could be compensated for by a
better generator.

If you can cruise at about 4 hp, you will be able to use a kilowatt for
amenities, topping up depleted batteries, etc.

If you can sail and use the prop to charge batteries, you may have the
best of all worlds.

If you don't mind pottering along at about half or 3/4 of calculated
hull speed, you can do it on surprisingly little power, if you are not
bucking a strong wind, and if you can use tides and currents to your
advantage, may get where you want so long as time is not of the
essense.

There is a lot to think about, here. There will be some
transformational loss, ie torque to electricity, battery charge /
discharge losses, and electrical to torque efficiency.

Motor / generator combined devices are becoming more practical and
efficient all the time. Quebec Hydro holds patents for a wheel motor /
generator, and has offered info for developers, but strangely, will not
respond to me, perhaps if GM or Ford were to call in francias?

CTC offers a Chinese wheel motor / generator brake battery assisted
bicyle for under a grand, it's about 1/2 horsepower.

We are on the cusp of many new things, soon. The attitude display
promises to be interesting.

Terry K


Hey Terry,

Does your crystal ball show any AC 110 VAC powered trolling motors
on the horizon?

The littlest Honda EU series generators make 1kw, 2kw or 3kw depending
on model. $699,999,1788
And two can be buddied up with a parallel kit for 30 amps.

There is also a 2500 watt Honda "tube frame" set listed for $629.

But all this is 110VAC!
So we have to include an appropriately sized battery charger for
each trolling motor. 70 to 100 amp chargers for $60 - $70? each.
Should be able to hold 12-15 amps continuous.

May work after all?

But sure would work a lot mo better if we had AC motors...

$.02

Richard