New motor arrived today

[FLATHEAD]

After years of using regular trolling motors on electric only reservoirs I finally decided to go with an actual electric outboard. Mind you it’s not a monster, entry level only rated as a 3HP equivalent. It runs on 36 volts. I’m waiting on a 36 volt LiFeP04 to complete the set up. The separate battery is why I went with this motor. Most of the others have their own proprietary battery. I hoping this can push my alaumacraft 1542 at 7 MPH. Right now I get about 4.3 with a bow mount 24 volt terrova. Might not seem like much but at those low speeds on a sizable reservoir a couple more MPH is huge.
I’ll be testing it out next week and report how it does.

 

[airshot]

From what I have read, the electric actual outboard motors have more speed than an electric trolling motor, so your expectations might be about right. I think your getting a separate LifePo4 battery was the right choice and probably cheaper than a priority mfgrs battery.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Can do 3 12 volt batteries wired in series

 

[FLATHEAD]

Can do 3 12 volt batteries wired in series

I could, but in the interest of saving space and weight I decided to go with one unit.
I read where lithiums wired in series should be balanced occasionally. Not sure if there is anything to it. I have two 12 volt lithiums in series on my Crestliner going on 3 years never balanced and still work like they should.

 

[pgandw]

I believe the LiFePO balancing is aimed at parallel batteries, where getting a couple of millivolts apart can mean huge currents between the batteries. But I don't blame you for going with a single unit - I might in your situation.

I have an Epropulsion Spirit (3hp equivalent) that uses a 48v battery on my 19ft sailboat. There is a 12V to 48V DC converter for slowly recharging the outboard battery, but it also has some loss.

Fred W

 

[FLATHEAD]

I believe the LiFePO balancing is aimed at parallel batteries, where getting a couple of millivolts apart can mean huge currents between the batteries. But I don't blame you for going with a single unit - I might in your situation.

I have an Epropulsion Spirit (3hp equivalent) that uses a 48v battery on my 19ft sailboat. There is a 12V to 48V DC converter for slowly recharging the outboard battery, but it also has some loss.

Fred

I looked hard at the Epropulsion. Nice units.

 

[flashback]

I believe the LiFePO balancing is aimed at parallel batteries, where getting a couple of millivolts apart can mean huge currents between the batteries. But I don't blame you for going with a single unit - I might in your situation.

I have an Epropulsion Spirit (3hp equivalent) that uses a 48v battery on my 19ft sailboat. There is a 12V to 48V DC converter for slowly recharging the outboard battery, but it also has some loss.

Fred W

That probably works really well at getting in and out of the marina. :}

 

[FLATHEAD]

Well I didn’t get near 7 MPH, but did touch 5.8 with one grandson along. First impression are positive so far. I ran about 7 miles total at full throttle and only ate up 20% of the 36 v 105 amp hr lithium.