E-Volve or Torqeedo Ultralight 403

I read in a previous post that the E-Volve Version 2 will have a solar panel option available soon. Does anyone know if the testing stage for this product has been completed? And when will this product be on the market?
Another question I had: As this motor runs at 28.8 Volts, is there a way to use the E-Volve battery to also power a 12-20 Volt Chart/plotter sounder with a small stepdown transformer? (Running 2 sets of batteries seems redundant and 'heavy')

As an alternative I was looking at the Torqeedo Ultralight 403 which is 3 lbs lighter and $200 cheaper or so and has a solar option already available. (according to their website)

http://www.torqeedo.com/us/hn/products/ ... t-403.html

http://www.torqeedo.com/us/hn/products/ ... -45-w.html

Has anyone fitted the Ultralight 403 to their AI or TI?

I'd be pleased to hear your comments.

Thank you
Trinomite

_________________
Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

sounds like you need a variable voltage output switching regulator - one of my other hobbies is high performance electric remote control airplanes. A product I use is the Castle Creations BEC Pro

It can handle 50.4V in and output 20A at 4.8v-12.5v (adjustable). Im not saying this is what you should use as it is outside of its normal "environment" but I know the owner of this company personally and his products use the best components available and are usually under-rated. If you can not source something else, I personally would look to use this - I do in several of my planes.

Link to product user guide
http://www.castlecreations.com/support/ ... _guide.pdf

Link to company website for product
http://www.castlecreations.com/products/ccbec.html#

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In another thread about the torqeedo I briefly mentioned/asked if the system while not in drive mode (but left intact in the water) could charge the batteries ... i.e. under sail and cruising.

An electric motor is basically also a generator - if you spin its shaft while it is not under power you create electricity. I see no reason why the circuitry of the drive unit can not be made to back-feed the electricity generated while under sail into the batteries but Im not an engineer.

I will pose this question to my friend - he's "quirky" enough to design something for our use if it piques his interest !

_________________
Alan W.

Papaya AI2 to replace my well worn V1
TheTwins - His/Hers 2007 Papaya Hobie Adventure Island's (v1.00.01)
.. and a Hobie Outback SUV

Thanks for that reply
I'll check out what you mentioned.
You made a good point. No you made a great point: All a Generator is is an electric motor being spun backwards. Why not find a way to get the energy back into the battery when we're under sail or pedal power.

Funny, I was thinking before the other way around: a folding prop to cut drag, especially if the motor unit is used in the Mirage drive well.

http://www.martec-props.com/

These props are used on larger saiboats than ours to greatly reduce drag and decrease wear and tear on the stuffing box.

Personally, I think the addition of a solar panel will make the e-volve a far more practical solution for more users who do not want to be tied to an electric plug all the time. A double battery is another 'expensive' and weighty non-solution.
I'm a bit suspect of the price of the panel ($1000). The prices have dropped quite a bit on solar panels and Marine foldable products are rarely as efficient as the type you mount on your house (aluminum frame, type).
A friend who runs an Alternative energy company says right now in the States there are warehouses full of solar cells that are hard to sell because of the bad economy there.
I bought a 50 watt Sharp 24 x24" panel for $329. Putting a rubber foam frame around the outside will cost $8. Seems like a better deal to me.
Heck if we have tramps on our AI/TI, why not put down 1 or 2 cells. Sun power is free (too bad the means to collect that power is not)

Regards
Fred

_________________
Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'