Green Macgregor/solar

[mikelinmon]

Green Macgregor

The only thing for the 26M on table at moment is green power. Tested so far was some of the Torqeedo product. This is a German made newcomer. Easy way to start this was the 801, clamed to be “Comparable gas outboard propulsive power “ to two hp. Chosen because of my years long usage of Honda 2hp. That is, I know how fast it goes tested on V-23, how it pushes, etc. Exactly the same, 4.7 mph on gps. Also it seemed similar against or with wind as with the Honda. So, the Germans told the truth in their technical data, what a surprise. Note; the 801 has been replaced now with the 1003, same weight but compares to 3hp gas.
Next was some new info. The cruise 2.0RS model claimed to be equal to 5hp on a 26M, empty boat, no ballast. The cruise 4.0 equal to 8hp. More testing needed before results are published “this is publishing”. But, surprise, surprise, very little diff!. What the heck. $500 dollars more for the 4.0. There are also some funny data not fully understood. Comparable outboards thrust is one number and comparable gas outboards propulsive power is another number.
Also in the package is a solar charger sunshade to replace the Macgregor sunshade! This is going to be an option very soon. If their claims are right, dual battery system might not be needed. We need to be able to start the 60hp after one day of charging a low battery!
Most of this is real, some might just not cut it for us. Thinking the top speed of just about 6mph. Not my personal cup of tea, but we do have a lot of customers who chose 10hp motors.
If you have any real published data to share? By the way, anyone know where to get a light 3kw electric motor and just how much do the batteries weigh for it? Guess why it is 3kw in the above question. Some of the info following this line won't be complete only because its not that reliable.
Mike Inmon.

[The Mutt]

G'day Mike, I been looking at electric power since before we got the boat, I'm looking at ripping out the power head from the outboard when it roars no more and putting in a Mars (10KW peak) or ET Motor (Etek) brushless on top of the leg for direct power, Lithium batteries or such would be secured midship both sides of the boat as low in the bilge as possible either side of the ballast.

I know we won't have the ability to get "Imagine" to plane across the water .... we don't do that now, we use the motor to get in and out from the dock or shore, throwing money and technology at a boat to get back to nature for some reason works for me.

Going full electric .... does that mean we would be adding Green hull to the Macgregor range?

An engineer mate of mine has been keeping tabs on a European company's work dealing with battery development for electric vehicles, they are perfecting a 20+ Year battery life span with much higher power/torque capability from the battery, I'll get on to him for an update.

Glenn

[Russ]

You should talk to Duane Dunn. Seriously.



--Russ

[James V]

It really depends on what you want to do with your boat. If you have shore power every night to top off your batteries then go for it. If you intend to go a thousand or more miles on a vacation without shore power then you may have cloudy days or in the shadow not charging your batteries.

Also if you need to get to shore due to weather and time, 6 hp will not be enough for the high profile Mac.

I hope the solar option becomes more viable sooner than latter. Getting tired of hearing my 50 hp.

[Catigale]

I found this link one night in an airport waiting for a connex...

There is a whole pHp forum on electric boats (nothing to do with subs, Ed... )

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=39

[Gypsy]

I have written before that we plan to mount two 80watt solar panels on our
Ours won't be as much for propulsion as it will be for refridgeration , although I do plan to hang a MinnKota on the stern .

My plan is to build out of 1" SS tubing , storebought mounts and 1/4" plywood , a hardtop over the helm and transom , behind the boom , to lay the panels on . The panels are aprroximately 4 ' long

Has anyone built a hardtop on thier Mac ?
Looking for advice on design . I need something that will hold up to a storm.

[Love MACs]

Some one did build a hard top...but darn if I can remember who It looked nice but not practical in IMWOT. U might try a search. I think he had the same idea, to use it for mounting diff things.


Allan

[nedmiller]

If you Google:
building a hardtop for a boat
You will get some interesting reading and some quality advice in the discussions.

I would like to build an arch that attaches to a folding hardtop that I could stand under and had solar panels on it...but I'm at a loss of how to start! The size would be limited to about the size of the top of the Dowsar bimini (part of their full enclosure--however big that is--since it is tall enough and stays up while sailing). I was going to just make my bimini taller, but then thought about how it would be such a perfect place for the solar panel! The panels with frames are themselves are pretty rigid but I think either plywood or foam core with fiberglass would be needed to create the right size and strength. The arch could provide enough support strength on the aft end, but what about forward?

SILK

[Sumner]

........Has anyone built a hardtop on thier Mac ?
Looking for advice on design . I need something that will hold up to a storm.

I just finished mounting our panels today. I have a 60 and 80 across the stern above the lazarette on our S. I moved the.....



.... 40 in the picture above that was down lower off the rear rail above the outboard up higher behind the 60 and 80 on the port side. They are all up just below the level of the mast roller on the rear crutch in the picture. They are high enough that we can board up the stern ladder and go forward under them. I'm hoping they might also complement the bimini and add to sun shade back there. The boat is looking crowed back there, but looks aren't high on our priorities, cruising for long periods is.

c ya,

Sum

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[Gypsy]

Do you have anymore pictures of your solar cell mounts ?

Thanks !
Glenn