RobBob
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2020
- Messages
- 8
So according to my family I'm ruining my life, I was just under the impression I got myself a boat.
Anyway, I had the clever idea to make it solar and completely electric.
Here's my plan, I've divided it into 3 stages. All the low voltage electronics will be run through POE. With POE over Cat6 it gives you 35 watts per cable, you can efficiently pick from 18v 12v or 5v and with a POE splitter you get a standard power plug with 100mb standard ethernet connection. This will let me run android tablets through the POE with wifi turned off and ethernet connection only. You can run smart TVs this way as well. All the lights and bilge pump systems will also be run through POE. Each system will have its own battery pack which I am already building and testing. With each system like the bilge pumps on independant batteries, I'll have over a day of runtime on my systems even with the main batteries drained. POE will also give me short circuit protection along with usage statistics through the smart POE switches. You can also turn off individual ports through an API so eventually I'll make touchscreen controls. My main battery pack will be at 48v since the POE switches run on 52v this will give me the best efficiency keeping everything at 48v.
STAGE 1
My goal is to have 2-3000 watts of solar along the flybridge and extended main deck covered in solar panels. The main deck I plan to embed heated floor tubing in order to test pulling off heat and using thermoelectric modules to generate additional power. For this I plan on using two 11.5kw 48v DC hydraulic motors which have very close RPM and torque curves which match the old motors. Just 1 pair of DC motors would only give me tolling speed up to 10 knots but for stage 1 that would be fine. The problem is getting the 48v capacity I need. Was looking at trying to get some old LG 48v Server backup racks. Anything I can get cheap in bulk. Weight is not an problem since I'll be removing 12,000lbs of engine from the hold.
STAGE 2
For stage two I plan on adding solar panels on top of the flybridge and enclose the entire cabin. I hope this will give me enough surface area for another 3000 watts of panels. I can hang them off the end of the boat if I need to extend my wattage. I will then add 2-3 more 48v DC motors using a T 1:1 gearbox.
STAGE 3
I plan on adding wing like masts with solar panels. These will be at least 25ft tall and can extend out almost like a wing. The goal would be to add a minimum of 8000watts and using these wings with hydraulics they can be positioned to act as basic sails.
This is going to be my full-time project starting in February when I will also be living on the boat.
Would love any help or advice.
I'm looking for any 48v DC electronics like heating elements, a dometic 24v microwave, 48v AC units... Trying to save money wherever I can. Already have spent more than I anticipated but I also guess that's par for the course of having a boat. Also any charge controllers, solar panels or batteries. Only looking for 48v completed battery packs. My goal is to try and get as close to 8000ah at 48v. I'm removing 12,000lb of engine so I need to fill that with something. Would love to get a few commercial lithium battery backup units....
Anyway, I had the clever idea to make it solar and completely electric.
Here's my plan, I've divided it into 3 stages. All the low voltage electronics will be run through POE. With POE over Cat6 it gives you 35 watts per cable, you can efficiently pick from 18v 12v or 5v and with a POE splitter you get a standard power plug with 100mb standard ethernet connection. This will let me run android tablets through the POE with wifi turned off and ethernet connection only. You can run smart TVs this way as well. All the lights and bilge pump systems will also be run through POE. Each system will have its own battery pack which I am already building and testing. With each system like the bilge pumps on independant batteries, I'll have over a day of runtime on my systems even with the main batteries drained. POE will also give me short circuit protection along with usage statistics through the smart POE switches. You can also turn off individual ports through an API so eventually I'll make touchscreen controls. My main battery pack will be at 48v since the POE switches run on 52v this will give me the best efficiency keeping everything at 48v.
STAGE 1
My goal is to have 2-3000 watts of solar along the flybridge and extended main deck covered in solar panels. The main deck I plan to embed heated floor tubing in order to test pulling off heat and using thermoelectric modules to generate additional power. For this I plan on using two 11.5kw 48v DC hydraulic motors which have very close RPM and torque curves which match the old motors. Just 1 pair of DC motors would only give me tolling speed up to 10 knots but for stage 1 that would be fine. The problem is getting the 48v capacity I need. Was looking at trying to get some old LG 48v Server backup racks. Anything I can get cheap in bulk. Weight is not an problem since I'll be removing 12,000lbs of engine from the hold.
STAGE 2
For stage two I plan on adding solar panels on top of the flybridge and enclose the entire cabin. I hope this will give me enough surface area for another 3000 watts of panels. I can hang them off the end of the boat if I need to extend my wattage. I will then add 2-3 more 48v DC motors using a T 1:1 gearbox.
STAGE 3
I plan on adding wing like masts with solar panels. These will be at least 25ft tall and can extend out almost like a wing. The goal would be to add a minimum of 8000watts and using these wings with hydraulics they can be positioned to act as basic sails.
This is going to be my full-time project starting in February when I will also be living on the boat.
Would love any help or advice.
I'm looking for any 48v DC electronics like heating elements, a dometic 24v microwave, 48v AC units... Trying to save money wherever I can. Already have spent more than I anticipated but I also guess that's par for the course of having a boat. Also any charge controllers, solar panels or batteries. Only looking for 48v completed battery packs. My goal is to try and get as close to 8000ah at 48v. I'm removing 12,000lb of engine so I need to fill that with something. Would love to get a few commercial lithium battery backup units....