"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
07/07/2017 at 20:20 • Filed to: boatlopnik, electric, river
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28|
"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
07/07/2017 at 20:20 • Filed to: boatlopnik, electric, river | 1
| 28 |
The sketchy Chinese 4hp electric outboard I ordered just arrived. It is pretty much exactly as it was described, and even had some accessories and tools included that I didn’t expect.
It runs on 4 12v deep cycle batteries in series. 48v and 1000w puts it more in electric outboard territory than trolling motor but since I got it at a trolling motor price i think it counts.
Its basically a gas outboard body and lower unit with a huge brushless motor as the powerhead. It has fully variable throttle, a nice trim setup, and cruise control, which are all features you will rarely find on a cheaper trolling motor.
Here is the confusing ass battery pack that I put together for it. It will all be permanently mounted in a cooler which will double ass the seat mount.
I tested it today with it clamped onto my desk and I was scared to even go past half throttle because it was violently powerful. Ill take it out on the river tomorrow and see how it does.
XJDano
> awmaster10
07/07/2017 at 20:26 |
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I’d be interested in something like this.
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awmaster10
> XJDano
07/07/2017 at 20:28 |
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Its a game changer in a place with lots of electric only lakes and rivers. I can cover 10x the distance with lighter batteries than a traditional trolling motor.
HammerheadFistpunch
> awmaster10
07/07/2017 at 20:37 |
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10ahr (50% drain) doesn’t seem like it will get you very far drawing 21 amps. Full blast you’ll eat through batteries in less than half an hour. Still, at half power there is a good safe hour in it... Which is a lot of time at cruise in a small boat. How you charging them? In series? 4 at a time? One at a time?
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awmaster10
> HammerheadFistpunch
07/07/2017 at 20:42 |
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Theyre 22 ah so theoretically should be an hour at full throttle, but the documentation says with 500kg loaded (more than ill have) it runs 1.5hrs with a 20ah pack. I think since its 21 amps peak itll only draw that under acceleration load.
The reason it isnt a huge deal though is that quarter throttle is maybe even slightly higher than trolling speed and if I can run a couple hours trolling thatll be fine. I also actually have 4 35ah batteries, but the pack is ridiculously huge and heavy so Ill save that for full days on the lake and use this pack for motoring back upstream after floats.
Charging them in series with a nice 48v charger/maintainer. I would hate to have to do them separately since the terminals are nut and bolt and kind of a bitch.
A nice feature though is that it came with a 3 pin PC plug adapter for the terminals that I can leave permanently on the pack and just plug the 3 prong from the motor in and be good to go. Charger also uses the same port so it can all stay assembled.
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HammerheadFistpunch
> awmaster10
07/07/2017 at 20:45 |
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Just keep in mind that if you want your batteries to last you shouldn’t deep cycle past 50% very often even for deep cycle batteries
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awmaster10
> HammerheadFistpunch
07/07/2017 at 20:53 |
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For sure, It will get really light use on the river. Literally just to head back upstream to the car. On the lake ill just have to monitor my usage and maybe bring the bigger batteries. It has a nice voltage display on the top of the case too which is nice, but not really that helpful.
Michael
> awmaster10
07/07/2017 at 21:28 |
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You don’t have to take the leads off to charge batteries individually, FYI. If the circuit’s open, the other batteries won’t care what happens up or down stream
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awmaster10
> Michael
07/07/2017 at 21:31 |
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Ahh, didnt actually know that. Still best to not have 4 12v chargers though.
Sovande
> awmaster10
07/08/2017 at 07:02 |
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How much does the battery pack weigh?
ILLUMINAUGHTIES
> awmaster10
07/08/2017 at 08:34 |
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Is there a link to purchase this? Thank you in advance for your response.!,,
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awmaster10
> ILLUMINAUGHTIES
07/08/2017 at 09:53 |
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First water test today so ill let you know how it goes
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awmaster10
> Sovande
07/08/2017 at 09:54 |
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13lbs per battery so 52lbs total
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Sovande
> awmaster10
07/08/2017 at 11:04 |
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Wow, that’s a lot lighter than I would have guessed. Seems like a fun set up! Got a link to the motor? I am curious since I have never seen an electric outboard like this before. Sure looks like a fun way to get around!
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awmaster10
> Sovande
07/08/2017 at 11:51 |
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Yeah its really not that bad and I found a cooler that fits the batteries snugly and fits perfectly in the boat. You can get larger batteries thatll give you crazy range but they would be about 23lbs each which is reaaally pushing it.
The inflatable raft its going on is really light and streamlined too so im thinking itll move pretty well.
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awmaster10
> Sovande
07/08/2017 at 11:53 |
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The accepted brands that make electric outboards in this style (not just a trolling motor) are torqueedo and Epropulsion. Both of those systems run $3000 or more. The one I got is a cheap chinese one but for $300 if it even gets close to the performance of the big names its still a great value.
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Sovande
> awmaster10
07/08/2017 at 11:57 |
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Nice! When I was a kid we had a canoe with a Minn Kota trolling motor on it. It was a blast. This will be a heck of a lot more fun than that. I have seem the Torqueedo motors, that price tag is pretty hard to swallow though.
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awmaster10
> Sovande
07/08/2017 at 12:27 |
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Taking it out in about an hour im very excited. Water is near flood level though so if it can travel upstream in that then it definitely passes the test. I would never get a torqueedo though. If you have the money to get one of them, just get a faster gas motor and drive a little to a gas lake. For me this is perfect and is very affordable
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Sovande
> awmaster10
07/08/2017 at 15:04 |
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My boat gas a diesel. All the fun at half the fuel burn. Be safe out there.
benjrblant
> awmaster10
07/08/2017 at 18:38 |
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Woah, a 4hp brushless motor? If you don’t mind me asking, how costly was this or can you share a link? I can think of several applications where a 4hp BL motor would be killer!
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awmaster10
> benjrblant
07/08/2017 at 20:03 |
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And about another $200 for the batteries. It is not quite 4hp but it is definitely strong.
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awmaster10
> Sovande
07/08/2017 at 20:03 |
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Diesel and propane outboards are really cool
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Sovande
> awmaster10
07/08/2017 at 20:15 |
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Mine is actually a Yanmar inboard. Turbo Diesel.
Did you get to take a test ride?
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awmaster10
> Sovande
07/08/2017 at 20:23 |
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Yeah just got back it was great. It can head upstream pretty quick and the battery wasnt even close to dead when I got back
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Sovande
> awmaster10
07/08/2017 at 20:52 |
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Nice!
Badpapaw
> awmaster10
07/09/2017 at 23:06 |
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How long was the estimated travel?
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awmaster10
> Badpapaw
07/09/2017 at 23:08 |
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6-7 miles but the motor doesnt get much use since its shallow in a lot of places
Mitchell Hay
> awmaster10
10/04/2017 at 18:11 |
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Would a 30AH 48V Li-Ion battery give the same range with a lot less weight? ($350 is a lot more money on batteries, of course, especially for a $350 motor. But 15 lbs beats 52 lbs on a small boat.)
Also, now that the season is winding down, how would you rate the motor’s reliability?
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awmaster10
> Mitchell Hay
10/04/2017 at 19:11 |
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Yeah a lithium pack will work just fine according to the manufacturer. Eventually I will end up getting a nice 50ah or maybe less lithium pack for weight savings. For now though the pack I have has worked great and even though it is heavy and large it doubles as my seat so its not a big deal.
I have taken it out a TON since I got it, about 2-3 times a week weather permitting. The motor has been dead reliable. Zero maintenance, just plug the battery in and go. Having a motor thats “always idling” is amazing while fishing and it really beats the maintenance and upkeep of a 4hp gas motor.
Any other questions let me know
