ePropulsion’s 48V, 4.1-kWh battery (ePropulsion photo)
generation of their small SmartSolar MPPT controllers includes a Bluetooth connection and app so that it’s very easy to monitor the system operation, and even modify the charging parameters. Both of these manufacturers have free on-line design tools to correctly match the charge controller to specific solar modules and configurations, and to the battery type and storage capacity. Are there any safety concerns with us- ing Li-ion batteries on boats? Te Li-ion
To Look Deeper
Alex Borton’s Seattle Boat Show presentation on his solar cruise up the Inside Passage in “Wayward Sun” is at www.
youtube.com/watch?v=ycF7igStfA0. His blog is at www.
solarsaljourney.squarespace.com. And Solar Sal Boats (www.
solarsal.solar) is now offering turn-key solar cruising boats from 24 to 45 feet in length.
Joe Grez, builder of the EP Carry outboard, discusses electric propulsion design in “Powerplay,” Professional Boatbuilder #187 (Oct/Nov 2020). He wrote about his solar-powered Salish 100 cruise in “Swe’Pea” at
www.electricpaddle.com/
solar-sailing-epcarry.html.
Tom Hruby built a series of electrified St. Pierre dories, and he provides a good electric propulsion design primer in “25 Years of Electric Cruising,” Small Craſt Advisor #124 ( Jul/ Aug 2020).
Dave Gerr described the process of designing the solar-pow- ered launch “Solaris” and obtaining U.S. Coast Guard cer- tification for its commercial operation in “Under the Sun,“ Professional Boatbuilder #195 (Mar/Apr 2022).
battery’s integrated BMS is designed to shut down the battery if a fault condi- tion such as incorrect charging or a short circuit occurs. Once the problem is cor- rected, the battery BMS can usually be reset. Although as yet there is no specific standard for installation on boats, lithi- um-iron-phosphate is generally accepted as the safest of the Li-ion chemistries. And some batteries, from KiloVault, Li- thionics, and SimpliPhi, are certified to UL-1973 (“Batteries for Use in Station- ary, Vehicle Auxiliary Power, and Light Electric Rail Applications”). ReLion’s InSight batteries are certified to UL/ ULC-2271 (“Standard for Batteries for Use in Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) Applications”). Nevertheless, if you are insuring a high value boat, it may be pru- dent to check with your agent to make sure there are no issues with using Li-ion batteries. While a sudden loss of power is always challenging, a Li-ion battery bank shut-down could become danger-
ous. Terefore, having a backup power source for critical electrical loads (e.g., navigation lights and radio) is a good idea. One solution is to add a small, “dumb” 12V AGM battery for these loads, and to keep it fully charged using the primary 24V or 48V battery bank. “Power cruising,” when compared
to sailing, can be rightly criticized as boring. Describing his initial reaction in BoatSense, Doug Logan says, “We were level, shaded, and comfortable… Tere seemed to be nothing to do but steer and watch the gauges…” However, the reports from those who have pur- sued solar-based cruising suggest that following the sun and managing your battery power can be just as challenging as “playing the wind.” Just like the wind, the sun is free; and if you’re using it for power, you can never have too much of it. And even better than that, you’ll never have to find an open gas pump for your solar cruiser. •SCA•
SMALL CRAFT ADVISOR
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