Electric outboards....

[James Laraway]

So i recently inherited an electric outboard that will be getting its first outing this weekend - so thought how can i test it when :
a) i don't have a boat
b) i don't live near any water

the answer - use a garden chair

[John Wastle]

Good motors James. Do yourself a favour and ditch the lead acid battery for a Lithium one. A fraction of the weight and more usable output per Ah. . Makes a huge difference if you park more than about 10yds from the boat and makes accessing lochs a bit off the track feasible.

[James Laraway]

interesting, i had no idea you could get lithium leisure batteries and that they are lighter then led-acid batteries ! What 'size' do you run and what usage do you get ?

[John Wastle]

Hi James, a 50 Ah Li battery will give you all day most days on typical electric outboard waters. It basically does what a 100Ah lead battery will do. On bigger waters and windy days we take 2 x 50Ah.

I am happy with this one and it is now comparable cost to that a top of the range Halfords or Bosch 100Ah lead leisure battery and will last many more charging cycles.

https://uk.eco-worthy.com/products/lifepo4-12v-50ah-lithium-iron-phosphate-battery

Why 2 x 50Ah rather than 1 x100Ah. Portabilty for one, and because on proper big lochs we often just used the electic for manouvring alongside a petrol.

 

[James Laraway]

so i had a look at the weight differences - and it looks like the lithium ones are about 1/3 of the weight ? That is very significant so will be an excellent idea for anyone who is either a bit older or who needs a carry a battery any distance to a boat. You learn something new every day....

At the moment i am in neither of those camps fortunately but it certainly is something i will revisit - thanks John...

[John Wastle]

Yes James, my old back takes every gain it can get. My 50Ah Li weighs only 5.75kg, versus over 20kg for the 100Ah Pb it replaced.

[Robert MacDonald-Lewis]

Neat idea for testing the motor.

I have a 100Ah lithium battery of the same make as in the link above. Bought it on recommendation of a friend. Great but of kit, I can carry motor and battery to and from the boat comfortably in a single trip now. Also makes it a lot easier getting the battery into the boat.

I have found the battery to have exceptional life. Have use it on some biggish lochs like Calder in a decent enough wave and could probably have repeated the day without charging the battery.


You also need a charger which is suitable for Li batteries.


If you are happy with your current battery then little point in changing. But if in the market for a new battery I would recommend looking into Li.