Electric Boat History, Technology and The Future
The basic concept is pretty simple – an electric motor powered by a battery bank turns the propeller. The boat’s speed is adjusted with a controller that can be used to vary the motor speed. The efficiency of the motor can be improved by using gears between the motor and the propeller. There are many more variations, but this is the basic system used by all electric boats.
The battery bank is mostly made up of the usual lead acid batteries. Lithium ion batteries and fuel cells are also being used on an experimental basis, but have yet to be made commercially viable on a mass-scale. Whatever the battery type, every electric boat always has a charger and charge regulator to ensure the battery doesn’t overcharge.
The electric motor is usually a DC motor. It can be field-wound or the permanent magnet type. The advantage of using DC motors is that they don’t require high voltages, so it is a lot safer and needs less insulation. Also, DC motors offer a choice between electronic and mechanical controllers, while AC motors necessarily need electronic controllers.
The simplest setup has the motor using a propeller shaft to power the propeller. If gears are required, it can be a common gear box or coaxial gears. In order to reduce noise, transmission belts are often used instead. The whole setup, including the motor and propeller, are often part of a system at the back of the boat. In this case, it is known as an outboard motor.
There are no carbon emissions or exhaust to speak of. Unlike an internal combustion engine that runs on diesel, an electric boat is not harmful to the environment. Another big advantage is that an electric powered boat makes comparatively very little noise. Even this little amount of noise can be reduced to almost nothing by using sound-proofed boxes and anti-vibration mountings.
The eco-friendly advantage can be further enhanced by using renewable shore energy or solar power. The only difference is that onboard solar panels mounted strategically on the boat charge the batteries, instead of having them charged using shore power. To be noted that commercial boats that have a daily schedule cannot depend solely on solar power, so these are hybrids called ‘solar-assisted’ which combine solar power and fuel.
While electric boats are still mostly restricted to inland waterways, there is a huge amount of ongoing research in this field. Solar and wind turbine powered boats are being built to cross the oceans. Batteries are being developed that need less charging and do not have to be refilled. The day is not far when large ships with thousands of passengers and crew will run entirely on clean electric power.
Rob Kerrigan is an electric boating enthusiast dedicated to helping boat owners make the switch from petrol to electric boats. You can find out more about the range of electric boats and accessories available on the market by visiting http://www.boatsplus.com.au.
New Electric Car Technology
With the future catching up to us quickly, it is likely that we will see the gasoline driven vehicle disappear. Replacing them is a new species of transportation. Electric and hybrid cars are hitting the streets in every neighborhood and town. These new aged electric breed are not only saving money in the tanks, but they are being given all new futuristic designs and tastes. Hopefully in the near future, there will be talks of cars that you can just plug in when you get home and they will be all charged up the next time you’re ready to go. GM is hard at work at just such a project. The new Chevy Volt should be coming out of the factory with all sorts of top of the line gadgetry. From the new Flex Fuel System to the range extending onboard fuel system. The new Volt should be able to accommodate just about anyone’s needs for it. Whether it is just your grocery getter or your everything car. This car will run purely off the sole power of a lithium battery for at least 40 miles, and has E85 ethanol to recharge it when needed. With one swift motion the car can also run from the gasoline to extend your mileage. That sounds like a sweet ride! Having a battery that recharges itself and gasoline would protect you from many of those moments when you ‘run out of gas’. From what their site ([http://www.chevrolet] dot com/electriccar/) says, the only thing you should have to do is plug it into a 110 volt plug at your home. That’s the same plug you use for your dryer! Dodge is also catching up the new electric car technology trend. With aggressive and impressive styling, Dodge is throwing out the new ZEO, which stands for Zero Emissions. This car not only looks good but should get an impressive 250 miles a charge, and take the breath out of anyone who sees you driving it. Even in the United Kingdom they are raving about new electric car technology. From new Lexus’s that do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds to Acura’s that are sleek and designed for the future that is now. Nobody is going to get left behind on this new age venture.