Electric propulsion for barges has become more practical in recent times as the technology has improved. The advantages of quietness, environmental considerations and energy efficiency, ease of maintenance are well appreciated.
The battery weight problem that car makers have to deal with do not affect electric barges which can take the weight. Also the large surface area of the barge coachroof is available for solar panels, while cars have much less roof area.
The installation can also be replenished from shore power and can, if required, have a standby diesel generator to top up the batteries if required on some occasions. Alternative is a hybrid installation similar to hybrid in a car but with the advantage that the storage batteries can be much larger.
The battery weight problem that car makers have to deal with do not affect electric barges which can take the weight. Also the large surface area of the barge coachroof is available for solar panels, while cars have much less roof area.
The installation can also be replenished from shore power and can, if required, have a standby diesel generator to top up the batteries if required on some occasions. Alternative is a hybrid installation similar to hybrid in a car but with the advantage that the storage batteries can be much larger.
69FT X 13 ft FCN Fineshape showing sleek hull underwater with long fine stern swim
But just as important is the choice of the right hull shape to minimise the power requirement and usage in the first place. Steel boats from Peter Nicholls are renowned for their hull shapes which are designed to be easily driven through the water. There is no point in buying the best batteries and motors, if energy is wasted in pushing the wrong shape through the water. Our Peter Nicholls wide beam steel launch and the Peter Nicholls FCN Fineshape Barge will help maximise the potential of the system.
The same 69ft FCN Fineshape (prior to gritblasting and epoxy painting) showing fine swim and cross section of the wetted area of the hull
62ft x13 ft Peter Nicholls Live Aboard Launch
The same 62 footer showing large area ready for solar panels, entering Blisworth Tunnel
We recommend and fit Lynch motors made in the UK for over 30 years. The company gives good technical backup and will suggest the right motor for your particular boat and requirements.
Recommendationfor a 65ft x 13ft Peter Nicholls FCN motor barge completing now (April 2021)
Bell Marine water cooled Modular Master 40W EVO nominal 30 kw continuous 40kw intermittent at 48 volt
16 off Leoch lead carbon batteries 12 vol at 210 amp hours. 0nly 560x320x126mm each weighing 62 kg each.These can be discharged to 30% without damage and give a large number of charge/discharge cycles over , say, a 10 year period unlike for example wet lead acid batteries
Or 12 off Rolls S12 lithium Ion 100 LFP 100 amp hours at 12 volt. Thes can take even deeper discharge/ charge
Beta Marine 1500 rev 12.3kva diesel backup generator.
240 Volt Victron 5 kw inverter charger and switch gear and isolating transfoomer
18 off (for example) Sunpower solar panels 170 watt each 29 volt at 5.8 amps size 1153x810
Bell Marine water cooled Modular Master 40W EVO nominal 30 kw continuous 40kw intermittent at 48 volt
16 off Leoch lead carbon batteries 12 vol at 210 amp hours. 0nly 560x320x126mm each weighing 62 kg each.These can be discharged to 30% without damage and give a large number of charge/discharge cycles over , say, a 10 year period unlike for example wet lead acid batteries
Or 12 off Rolls S12 lithium Ion 100 LFP 100 amp hours at 12 volt. Thes can take even deeper discharge/ charge
Beta Marine 1500 rev 12.3kva diesel backup generator.
240 Volt Victron 5 kw inverter charger and switch gear and isolating transfoomer
18 off (for example) Sunpower solar panels 170 watt each 29 volt at 5.8 amps size 1153x810
69ft x 13 FCN Fineshape with large roof area ready for solar panels
Choice of the batteries goes hand in hand with this as does the number and design of the solar panels.
It is a mistake to undersize the batteries. We recommend lead carbon batteries which are designed to discharge to a maximum of 30% before the life of the battery is unduly compromised. Lithium ion are a possibility and they allow eaven deeper discharging
Modern solar panels take energy not just on a sunny day but in all hours of daylight and at all times of the year.
The size and configuration of the panels can be matched to each individual installation and requirement.
It is a mistake to undersize the batteries. We recommend lead carbon batteries which are designed to discharge to a maximum of 30% before the life of the battery is unduly compromised. Lithium ion are a possibility and they allow eaven deeper discharging
Modern solar panels take energy not just on a sunny day but in all hours of daylight and at all times of the year.
The size and configuration of the panels can be matched to each individual installation and requirement.
Alternatively if you may be considering a hybrid installation :
Hybrid Marine offer their parallel hybrid concept allows you to drive the propeller with the engine in the normal way or alternatively to use an efficient electric motor. When moving under engine power the motor automatically reconfigures itself as a 5kW generator. At standard canal speeds, for every hour of engine propulsion, you generate enough electrical energy to go for a further hour under clean/quiet electric drive.
The hybrid route is not our favourite. We feel the whole point of electric propulsion is to set your boat up predominantly to be independent of fossil fuels and/or mains electricity with only a diesel generator for back up. This can be achieved making use of the large roof area availiable on a barge and the recent advances in battery technology which allow the batteries to be more fully discharged without damage, This based on a Peter Nicholls FCN barge that slips easily through the water
https://www.bellmarine.tech/en/products-page/marine-products-page/
https://betamarine.co.uk/portfolio-item/betaset-10-betagen-10/
Hybrid Marine offer their parallel hybrid concept allows you to drive the propeller with the engine in the normal way or alternatively to use an efficient electric motor. When moving under engine power the motor automatically reconfigures itself as a 5kW generator. At standard canal speeds, for every hour of engine propulsion, you generate enough electrical energy to go for a further hour under clean/quiet electric drive.
The hybrid route is not our favourite. We feel the whole point of electric propulsion is to set your boat up predominantly to be independent of fossil fuels and/or mains electricity with only a diesel generator for back up. This can be achieved making use of the large roof area availiable on a barge and the recent advances in battery technology which allow the batteries to be more fully discharged without damage, This based on a Peter Nicholls FCN barge that slips easily through the water
https://www.bellmarine.tech/en/products-page/marine-products-page/
https://betamarine.co.uk/portfolio-item/betaset-10-betagen-10/
| leoch_170_battery.pdf |
http://www.hybrid-marine.co.uk/12.html
http://barden-uk.com/product/sunpower-spr-e-flex-170 for solar panels
We recommend making use of the huge area for solar panels with a straight installation with battery and solar panels, shore power charging and diesel generator backup. Or, if you prefer, a hybrid installation with diesel engine propulsion and with an electric motor that can run the boat when the diesel engine is turned off. It also recharges the traction batteries with surplus power when the diesel is pushing the boat.
Whatever system you use you can rely on us at Peter Nicholls to build you a boat that slips through the water easily. Only then will you have a successful electric boat, with power requirements kept low due to the design of the hull. Without this your electric boat will not be the success that you had hoped. The right boat is the key to it all.
http://barden-uk.com/product/sunpower-spr-e-flex-170 for solar panels
We recommend making use of the huge area for solar panels with a straight installation with battery and solar panels, shore power charging and diesel generator backup. Or, if you prefer, a hybrid installation with diesel engine propulsion and with an electric motor that can run the boat when the diesel engine is turned off. It also recharges the traction batteries with surplus power when the diesel is pushing the boat.
Whatever system you use you can rely on us at Peter Nicholls to build you a boat that slips through the water easily. Only then will you have a successful electric boat, with power requirements kept low due to the design of the hull. Without this your electric boat will not be the success that you had hoped. The right boat is the key to it all.
69ftx 13ft FCN Fineshape designed to minimise power requirements. Before gritblasting and epoxy priming.
Whatever your power source, diesel or electric or a combination it makes sense to invest in a Peter Nicholls boat that needs less power to propel it through the water.
