Cabin Cruiser Converted To Electric
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Despite a lot of naysayers telling him that it couldn’t be done, Brian Edmond converted his gas-powered boat engine into a clean, quiet, and convenient way to enjoy the water. Edmond is the owner of Edmond Electric Co. in Amherstview, Ontario, where he spends most of his time converting lawn tractors to electric power. After first experimenting with smaller boats, Edmund decided to try converting a larger 22-ft. cabin cruiser with a 4-cycle engine, because he says “noise and exhaust can often get in the way of trying to relax on the water.” He named his new electric boat “My Way.”
Edmond first removed the 4-cylinder 37 hp. gas inboard engine, the transmission, and fuel tank. He replaced those components with his own custom-built electric system that includes batteries and motors. To make room for the batteries he opened the floor and created a holding area for a bank of a dozen 6-volt batteries supported by metal framing. Ten batteries run a 6 kW motor for the prop, and 2 are used for accessories including the lights, microwave and refrigerator. The larger motor puts out about 8 hp, which Edmond says will run the boat close to the same speed as the original, more powerful gas motor. Running continuously at this top speed the batteries last about an hour. Reducing the motor speed so it puts out only 3 hp. allows it to run at about 6 mph for about 4 hrs.
“I like to run it at the lower speed, which is really nice for cruising,” says Edmond. “There isn’t any noise or any exhaust. Where we live in Kingston, we can cruise the islands peacefully with friends.” Edmond says one charge of the batteries gives him a range of about 25 miles, which is “enough for day trips around the islands.” For re-charging he uses a slip at a local marina with an electric hookup. It takes about 5 hrs. to charge the batteries. If a converter is used the batteries can also be operated with solar power.
With normal use Edmond says the batteries should last about 8 years. Maintenance includes checking the distilled water twice a year and keeping the batteries on a “smart” charger over the cold winter months.
The 15-in., 3-blade bronze propeller on Edmond’s boat has a one-inch steel shaft. The electric motor, which can handle 100% torque at startup, is connected to the propeller shaft. Because the motor starts under a full load it doesn’t need a gearbox and transmission. To move the boat in reverse the motor simply runs backwards. Steering is done with cables connected to the rudder.
Edmond has been in the electric business since 1975 and has been working on small engines since 1990. He developed the electric conversions using his own ideas and perfected them through trial and error. He says after many hours of testing that he feels the concepts are perfected. He hopes to have plans for the average handyman later in 2017.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Brian Edmond, Amherstview, Ontario Canada (website: www.electrictractor.net; email: bedmond1968@gmail.com).
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Cabin Cruiser Converted To Electric FARM HOME recreation Despite a lot of naysayers telling him that it couldn’t be done Brian Edmond converted his gas-powered boat engine into a clean quiet and convenient way to enjoy the water Edmond is the owner of Edmond Electric Co in Amherstview Ontario where he spends most of his time converting lawn tractors to electric power After first experimenting with smaller boats Edmund decided to try converting a larger 22-ft cabin cruiser with a 4-cycle engine because he says “noise and exhaust can often get in the way of trying to relax on the water ” He named his new electric boat “My Way ” Edmond first removed the 4-cylinder 37 hp gas inboard engine the transmission and fuel tank He replaced those components with his own custom-built electric system that includes batteries and motors To make room for the batteries he opened the floor and created a holding area for a bank of a dozen 6-volt batteries supported by metal framing Ten batteries run a 6 kW motor for the prop and 2 are used for accessories including the lights microwave and refrigerator The larger motor puts out about 8 hp which Edmond says will run the boat close to the same speed as the original more powerful gas motor Running continuously at this top speed the batteries last about an hour Reducing the motor speed so it puts out only 3 hp allows it to run at about 6 mph for about 4 hrs “I like to run it at the lower speed which is really nice for cruising ” says Edmond “There isn’t any noise or any exhaust Where we live in Kingston we can cruise the islands peacefully with friends ” Edmond says one charge of the batteries gives him a range of about 25 miles which is “enough for day trips around the islands ” For re-charging he uses a slip at a local marina with an electric hookup It takes about 5 hrs to charge the batteries If a converter is used the batteries can also be operated with solar power With normal use Edmond says the batteries should last about 8 years Maintenance includes checking the distilled water twice a year and keeping the batteries on a “smart” charger over the cold winter months The 15-in 3-blade bronze propeller on Edmond’s boat has a one-inch steel shaft The electric motor which can handle 100% torque at startup is connected to the propeller shaft Because the motor starts under a full load it doesn’t need a gearbox and transmission To move the boat in reverse the motor simply runs backwards Steering is done with cables connected to the rudder Edmond has been in the electric business since 1975 and has been working on small engines since 1990 He developed the electric conversions using his own ideas and perfected them through trial and error He says after many hours of testing that he feels the concepts are perfected He hopes to have plans for the average handyman later in 2017 Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Brian Edmond Amherstview Ontario Canada website: www electrictractor net; email: bedmond1968@gmail com
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