The Electric Tige

[NICKYPOO]

The dream boat thread has got me thinking. Actually I've been thinking about converting to electric. Not that I have the cubic $$$ to make this happen but, I sure would like to. The technologies are already in place and they are a perfect fit for wakeboats. Super high torque, zero emissions and minimal maintenance. The R/C world is the hotbed of electric right now and if you are running anything other than a brushless motor set-up now days, you are running a dinosaur. So, I have to ask, when do we see a brushless Tige. The Epic 21se does exist (however rare and ugly it is) and I''d be willing to bet a 100% 23se is in the works. I would absolutely go electric in my next boat if I could and I sure would like to it be a Tige.

[Ewok]

Word, but I would like to have a generator onboard to spend all day on the lake, unless there is enough juice to do it on batteries alone.

[chpthril]

zero emissions .

Except for the pollution and toxic run-off created in making the batteries and shipping them half way around the world to get here, and then all the coal that's burned to generate all the electricity needed to recharge the batteries.

[jwanck11]

Not to mention the danger involved (as you are aware that brushless is really nothing to write home about without the significantly dangerous LiPo set up.) Powering a boat motor reliably would require something radical in terms of a worthy battery set up. What about the extra wear and tear on towing vehicles in pulling around the extra weight, the disposal of dead batteries, etc, etc, etc.

[Oklahoma Breakdown]

I'm gonna need some extra batteries for my new (in dreams) kicker system in one of these

[kmac]

Me and my boys have a few RC toys (planes and buggies)and yes electrics are the way to go, for RC. But if you have purchased, charged and replaced the small LiPos used in RC you might rethink your desire for an electric boat. $$$$$ for the batts and if you are smart you charge them in a firebag or clay pot to protect from fire. One thing for sure you won't need any fatsacs, might be a problem getting the weight where you want it. At least for the next ten plus years I will stick with good old gas.

[tktige']

your electric Tige' would be as small as these crappy electric cars. Forget a 24V more like a 14V you and that would probably cost you 100K

[dogbert]

The dream boat thread has got me thinking. Actually I've been thinking about converting to electric. Not that I have the cubic $$$ to make this happen but, I sure would like to. The technologies are already in place and they are a perfect fit for wakeboats. Super high torque, zero emissions and minimal maintenance. The R/C world is the hotbed of electric right now and if you are running anything other than a brushless motor set-up now days, you are running a dinosaur. So, I have to ask, when do we see a brushless Tige. The Epic 21se does exist (however rare and ugly it is) and I''d be willing to bet a 100% 23se is in the works. I would absolutely go electric in my next boat if I could and I sure would like to it be a Tige.

I like the way you think. Been thinkin' about it myself. Get a few solar panels to recharge the boat and go totally green!

[dom w. forte]

The dream boat thread has got me thinking. Actually I've been thinking about converting to electric. Not that I have the cubic $$$ to make this happen but, I sure would like to. The technologies are already in place and they are a perfect fit for wakeboats. Super high torque, zero emissions and minimal maintenance. The R/C world is the hotbed of electric right now and if you are running anything other than a brushless motor set-up now days, you are running a dinosaur. So, I have to ask, when do we see a brushless Tige. The Epic 21se does exist (however rare and ugly it is) and I''d be willing to bet a 100% 23se is in the works. I would absolutely go electric in my next boat if I could and I sure would like to it be a Tige.

The use of the words 0 emmissions is bogus, all data that I have studyed thus far shows all hybrid cars , cradle to grave create more pollution then current normal cars, the only improvement is in lower hyracarbons, im not saying its a bad idea , just the totting of 0 emmisions.

[Ewok]

Yup, 0 emissions is not reality and should not be the focus of an electric boat. Here is why I think it makes sense on a boat vs car:

You want torque, you got 100% torque at 0 rpm

You want to weight the boat, you got the heavy batteries

The downside to the weight of the batteries is towing as jwank11 said above. I hope the major auto manufacturers are going to develop stronger and lighter batteries and develop ways to recycle the batteries when they are toast. We also need to start building more nuclear plants to help produce a cleaner form of electricity as well as solar and wind. I am way more willing to buy an electric or electric hybrid boat than an electric car. An electric boat has personality, and personality goes a long way. An electric car has no personality (yet, that I can afford). Well, we'd have to be talkin' about one charming MF car. I mean, it'd have to be ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres, you know what I'm saying?

I was just thinking that in 5-10 years when I might be looking at getting a new boat, and if electric or hybrid electric is in the same price range as gas engines, I would be inclined to get one over a gas engine, if the batteries are lighter and have been safely tested and proven (thank you epic for being our guinea pig).

[ragboy]

I think the next step would be something like the audi clean diesel TDI engines, before electric. I have heard some boat manuf. are toying with them. I have no idea about Tige, but have heard.

[RubberDucky]

You know just get rid of the batteries, and use a small gasoline motor to generate electricy for the electric motor. A motor couple with gears transmission is only around 20% effecient while getting rid of all the gears and using a small motor to generate electricty for the electric motor you are now looking at the system to be 80% efficient which means for us is fewer runs to the gas station!

[dogbert]

I think the next step would be something like the audi clean diesel TDI engines, before electric. I have heard some boat manuf. are toying with them. I have no idea about Tige, but have heard.

Too bad they dorked up the emissions process or you could run biodiesel.

[NICKYPOO]

Good discussion!

The zero emissions I was referring to was in the actual running of the boat, not the "carbon footprint" of the entire process, although it is important to bring that up. Battery technology is coming along at rapid pace and it won't be long before the volatility factor is a moot point. I think the biggest bone of contention is the manufacture of them needing to be "green", as stated above. LiPo batteries are already nearly a dead technology IMO. Your right, too dangerous. The LiFe batteries are much more stable and user friendly but, the storage capacities and power output still leave something to be desired. Some thing new will come along soon and and it will solve the power problem.

I've always liked the generator idea for powering an electric motor but, what do you use to power it. Yes a gas generator would work but, the point of this is to have zero emissions while running. So, hydrogen? How about that set up from back to the future, "Mr. Fusion." Dump some banana peals and some beer cans in and your good to go!

[chpthril]

I think a gas engine large enough and powerful enough to spin a generator that is large enough to keep up with the demands of a giant electric motor and massive battery bank would spit out as much emissions as the current ECM controlled, CAT equipped gas engine we are currently powering our boats with where would we put it all It would be 10K lb 35ft boat with the room of a 15ft run-a-bout.