Designing my second electric sailboat - Brainstorming

[HarryN]

Genasun – Sunforge LLC

sunforgellc.com

 

[jacky4566]

I think you are over estimating how much power you need for propulsion. Not a bad thing, but I suggest some thinking on this.

Using OceanVolts calculator https://oceanvolt.com/configurator/#power
They only recommend a 6 or 8kW motor, and cruising at 5knots requires 2kW.
Those old diesel motors never put out the nameplate horsepower unless you were running them at redline.

Also, as someone in a similar situation. We are doing an Oceanis 400, replacing the Perkins 50 with an ME1616.
I am design a custom boost charger for each panel to maximize MPPT.
Based on the LT8490 IC it will be well suited for 200-500W panels boosting 16S LFP system.
Ill have more information on this in a few months if you are interested.

 

[supersignman]

I would seriously do some more research into the durability of the exposed internal circuitry on whatever components you are putting into the boat. There's a reason almost all marine vessels use Victron equipment... they are filled with epoxy to seal all moisture from the circuitry. Even a little salt air on a circuit board combined with condensation from everyday temperature changes can wreak havoc on circuit boards. Just because a component says it's "waterproof" doesn't mean it's corrosion proof. Also, the constant movement and jarring from the waves is a big factor too. If the equipment is not engineered to stand up to that kind of beating, it's life may be measured in months, not years.

 

[wholybee]

I think you are over estimating how much power you need for propulsion. Not a bad thing, but I suggest some thinking on this.

Using OceanVolts calculator https://oceanvolt.com/configurator/#power
They only recommend a 6 or 8kW motor, and cruising at 5knots requires 2kW.
Those old diesel motors never put out the nameplate horsepower unless you were running them at redline.

Also, as someone in a similar situation. We are doing an Oceanis 400, replacing the Perkins 50 with an ME1616.
I am design a custom boost charger for each panel to maximize MPPT.
Based on the LT8490 IC it will be well suited for 200-500W panels boosting 16S LFP system.
Ill have more information on this in a few months if you are interested.

It depends on the needs/usage. Cruising at say, 75% of hull speed, in flat water takes very little power. But motor against a 4' chop and 20 kts of wind, and you need a lot more. A fair weather weekend sailor won't ever do that. A long distance full time cruiser may.