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.
Recommendation from Lynch `Motors for a 65ft x 13ft Peter Nicholls FCN motor barge
2off Swordfish 26 Assemblies
Motor 2 off Lem 200-D135
Motor Frame 1 off Motor mounting with Drive Gearing Assembly (40 mm output shaft)
Controller 2 off Large motor Assembly
Battery Display 1 off Sigma Display
Throttle 1 off ZF Throttle
Cable Set 1 off Cable
1 off Installation Manual
2off Swordfish 26 Assemblies
Motor 2 off Lem 200-D135
Motor Frame 1 off Motor mounting with Drive Gearing Assembly (40 mm output shaft)
Controller 2 off Large motor Assembly
Battery Display 1 off Sigma Display
Throttle 1 off ZF Throttle
Cable Set 1 off Cable
1 off Installation Manual
The marine drive above equates to 52 kw Electric Marine Drive System an internal combustion engine of approximately 156-170 Hp.
Propeller:
Characteristics of the Axiom Propeller
- Symmetrical blade… improves vessels' handling with stopping distances improved and equal thrust ahead and astern
- Improved energy consumption
- Reduced cavitation, vibration and noise from 'singing'
- Vessels able to maintain faster average speeds
- Reduction in rudder and tiller vibration
- Suitable for displacement vessel
- Props are cast in the UK and manufactured specifically for individual vessel, engine and gearbox setup.
Solar panels:
36x 300w solar panels 1640mmx 990mm = 10.8 kw
Solar controller, inverter 5 KVA Shore power charger 200amps.
Batteries:
48 x1000amp to give 96KWH battery weighing 2328 kg . true deep cycle traction batteries rated 500 cycles at 80% discharge or 5000 cycles at 20% discharge. Usable power 7.8 Kwh To cruise for 8 hours.
Standby diesel generator (if required) to charge the batteries if and when required Beta Marine Super Silent cocooned Pole 220/230/240v 50Hz and operating @ 1,500 rpm to keep noise levels low.
Propeller:
Characteristics of the Axiom Propeller
- Symmetrical blade… improves vessels' handling with stopping distances improved and equal thrust ahead and astern
- Improved energy consumption
- Reduced cavitation, vibration and noise from 'singing'
- Vessels able to maintain faster average speeds
- Reduction in rudder and tiller vibration
- Suitable for displacement vessel
- Props are cast in the UK and manufactured specifically for individual vessel, engine and gearbox setup.
Solar panels:
36x 300w solar panels 1640mmx 990mm = 10.8 kw
Solar controller, inverter 5 KVA Shore power charger 200amps.
Batteries:
48 x1000amp to give 96KWH battery weighing 2328 kg . true deep cycle traction batteries rated 500 cycles at 80% discharge or 5000 cycles at 20% discharge. Usable power 7.8 Kwh To cruise for 8 hours.
Standby diesel generator (if required) to charge the batteries if and when required Beta Marine Super Silent cocooned Pole 220/230/240v 50Hz and operating @ 1,500 rpm to keep noise levels low.
LYNCH MOTOR
Lynch swordfish motors in twin configuration
Visit the Lynch website:
www.lynchmotors.co.uk/index.html
www.lynchmotors.co.uk/index.html
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 industrial deep cycling batteries which are designed to discharge to a maximum of 50% before the life of the battery is unduly compromised. These fork lift truck type batteries would typically be in a bank of a metre square and 90cm high have an automatic water top up system. They fit neatly in a vented cabinet in front of the motors. At 2 ½ tonnes they add to the ballast of the boat, any trim considerations can easily be addressed with trim ballast further forward.
The lead content of the battery is easily recycled in later years at the end of their life and the scrap value can be put towards their replacement.
Lithium Ion batteries in their present form are not recommended, are some 3 times dearer and are designed for cars where weight is a serious consideration. Scrap value when they need replacing is minimal.
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 can be matched to each individual installation and requirement.
It is a mistake to undersize the batteries. We recommend industrial deep cycling batteries which are designed to discharge to a maximum of 50% before the life of the battery is unduly compromised. These fork lift truck type batteries would typically be in a bank of a metre square and 90cm high have an automatic water top up system. They fit neatly in a vented cabinet in front of the motors. At 2 ½ tonnes they add to the ballast of the boat, any trim considerations can easily be addressed with trim ballast further forward.
The lead content of the battery is easily recycled in later years at the end of their life and the scrap value can be put towards their replacement.
Lithium Ion batteries in their present form are not recommended, are some 3 times dearer and are designed for cars where weight is a serious consideration. Scrap value when they need replacing is minimal.
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 can be matched to each individual installation and requirement.
Alternatively if you would like us to fit hybrid propulsion in your boat:
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.
In general our Hybrid canal boats see a 50% reduction in engine hours.
More details can be found on their webpage:
http://www.hybrid-marine.co.uk/13.html
For further details refer to their website and their wide beam package:
http://www.hybrid-marine.co.uk/12.html
Further links:
https://lynchmotors.co.uk/index.html
https://betamarine.co.uk/portfolio-item/betaset-10-betagen-10/
http://thamessolarelectric.co.uk/
https://www.fischerpanda.co.uk/electric_propulsion.html
https://www.electricboatassociation.org
You can decide on a straight installation with battery and solar panels, shore power charging and diesel generator backup. Or 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.
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.
In general our Hybrid canal boats see a 50% reduction in engine hours.
More details can be found on their webpage:
http://www.hybrid-marine.co.uk/13.html
For further details refer to their website and their wide beam package:
http://www.hybrid-marine.co.uk/12.html
Further links:
https://lynchmotors.co.uk/index.html
https://betamarine.co.uk/portfolio-item/betaset-10-betagen-10/
http://thamessolarelectric.co.uk/
https://www.fischerpanda.co.uk/electric_propulsion.html
https://www.electricboatassociation.org
You can decide on a straight installation with battery and solar panels, shore power charging and diesel generator backup. Or 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.
