FAQ (Frequently
Asked Questions)
- Are
all boats suitable for conversion?
A.
No. Large blunt-ended boats would need a lot of power and
batteries and it would be too expensive.
Q.
Will I be able to go as fast as I can now?
A.
Probably not and if you do you will limit your range.
Maximum speeds for electric boats are usually about 5 knots which is just
inside the permitted speed on the Broads. Boats
on the Broads should not create a large wash as it causes damage to river banks.
There is no rush.
Q.
Why do I need a drag test?
A.
Boats differ in how much power they need.
Most diesel-powered boats are grossly over-powered.
It is important not to be under-powered a drag test will indicate the
power needed.
Q.
Can I use a generator for charging?
A.
Yes, preferably a quiet one. Make
sure the output is sufficient.
Only needed in emergency you should be able to find a charging point.
Q.
What about solar panels or a wind turbine?
A.
Your boat spends all day in the sun and wind so in theory it is a good
idea. However it is a relatively expensive option compared with
paying for electricity from the mains. But
you will be independent and very green!
- Where can I recharge ?
A.
It is necessary to have a mains power supply at your home mooring
and many
boatyards have this facility. You can recharge at other boatyards around the
area and there are six Broads Authority public recharge points. There are plans
to increase the number of public points available.
Q.
What if I run out of electricity?
A.
Very embarrassing. But
resting the batteries for a while allows you to get a bit further.
A battery monitor which tells you how much charge you have used and how
much is left and will prevent this happening.
Q.
How heavy are the batteries ?
A. This depends on the
cruising range you would like and the size of the boat. As
a rough guide for a 27ft cruiser with a range of 12 hours the weight is
390kg of leisure batteries. A
22 yacht, only needing 4 hours cruising, might need only 60-80kg.
Q
Does the temperature matter?
A.
Yes. In cold weather, in
winter, the batteries give less charge than when it is
hot. And in the summer
the motor and controller do not like to be very hot but a fan sorts this
out.
Q.
Will I need a 12v battery for the lights and pumps etc?
A.
No. For a 24v electric
propulsion system 24v lights and pumps are available,
or a DC/DC converter, dropping the 24v to 12v is a better solution.
Similarly there is a converter for a 48v system.
Q.
Can I leave the batteries alone for a long time, for instance in winter?
A.
No. You need to give them a
charge every 2-3 months.
Q.
What about going against the current?
A
An electric boat will cope with tidal currents but will use a lot of
power. The sensible thing is to
time your journey if possible so the currents are in your favour, as do yachts.
Q.
My diesel gives me hot water how do I get it with an electric motor?
A.
This is a drawback of electric propulsion.
You could just boil a kettle, or a more expensive option is to install an
independent water heater, gas or diesel. The
heater could give you hot water and central heating.
Second-hand Eberspacher warm air heaters are available cheaply from
breakers yards.
Q.
How can I can I increase my range for a single charge?
A.
Travel a bit slower. Make
best use of the tides. Add more
batteries.
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