Electric motor options for inflatable dinghy

[Peregrine1983]

These guys are using an unmodified minn kota 55 in a very similar dink to mine -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W83aPehiJ9E

[malbert73]

I've driven an aluminum boat (12 foot) with a minn Kota 55 and it's got plenty of power. Battery is limiting step but I imagine a Li ion battery + minn Kota is still prob cheaper than torqeedo


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[BigBeakie]

Here is a credible choice. Seems on paper they have better engineering and execution than others, but I have not had the chance to try one yet, but hopefully soon.

NAVY | ePropulsion

[BigBeakie]

oops, sent the last post before I was finished

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlQL...w#t=175.777928

Here is a Youtube showing the noise level difference between the Epropulsion and Torqeedo. Small indicator of quality, but still....

I suspect the dramatic noise level difference may be due to the hub of the Epropulsion being fluid filled, as it should be.

The Torqeedo is not fluid filled, but the more important difference IMO is not the effect on noise level, it is that once the Torqeedo hub heats up ( and they certainly do) water gets sucked back past the seals by the negative pressure as the space cools down. Then bad things happen, as many unhappy Torqeedo owners will attest.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by Peregrine1983

Hah. That's amazing.

A panel of that size would need a charge controller. With the small amount I use my dink and the short distances I travel on it I am nearly positive I'd be happy with a Minn Kota Riptide with a swapped prop, a cheap West Marine deep cycle battery, and a 6w Ganz solar panel keeping it topped off. I had great luck with the Ganz 6w on my old sailboat's start battery.

The picture is not my dinghy, it is a friend's.

My solar panel is 50 watts and the controller (currently a Morningstar Sunsaver) is installed inside the battery box.

When trolling there is a net gain in current. The Riptide 55 consumes about 1 amp at trolling speed.

[jibstay]

Originally Posted by BigBeakie

oops, sent the last post before I was finished

Here is a Youtube showing the noise level difference between the Epropulsion and Torqeedo. Small indicator of quality, but still....



I suspect the dramatic noise level difference may be due to the hub of the Epropulsion being fluid filled, as it should be.



The Torqeedo is not fluid filled, but the more important difference IMO is not the effect on noise level, it is that once the Torqeedo hub heats up ( and they certainly do) water gets sucked back past the seals by the negative pressure as the space cools down. Then bad things happen, as many unhappy Torqeedo owners will attest.

How do the prices of the epropulsion units compare to the Torqueedo?

Thanks

[44'cruisingcat]

Torqueedo must be feeling sincerely flattered!

[sparrowhawk1]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

The picture is not my dinghy, it is a friend's.

My solar panel is 50 watts and the controller (currently a Morningstar Sunsaver) is installed inside the battery box.

When trolling there is a net gain in current. The Riptide 55 consumes about 1 amp at trolling speed.

How did you measure that? I had a 35 pound thrust I believe it used 10 amps at Full Throttle pushing an 8-foot Walker Bay at reasonable speed.

[Adelie]

Rule of thumb is 1amp per 1 lb thrust.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by sparrowhawk1

How did you measure that? I had a 35 pound thrust I believe it used 10 amps at Full Throttle pushing an 8-foot Walker Bay at reasonable speed.

With a clamp multimeter.

10 amps at full throttle doesn't make sense for a 35 lb thrust motor.

[sparrowhawk1]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

With a clamp multimeter.

10 amps at full throttle doesn't make sense for a 35 lb thrust motor.

Well I guess I was only going halfThrottle.

And this coincides pretty accurately with running time on a fully charged battery.

[sparrowhawk1]

Originally Posted by Adelie

Rule of thumb is 1amp per 1 lb thrust.

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

And by the chart it looks like the 80lb thrust is using two batteries(24v) when you double the voltage, half the amperage

[liquidice]

I use that exact minnkota you put up on my inflatable tender and it feels great. Use 12v marine battery to power and pop battery and motor into boat. If it were real windy in your face idk but i like it. Definitely better with a robustly charged battery. I got my motor at walmart for 99 bucks in waukegan il.

[Vasana]

I have one on my inflatable and use AGM deap. Cycle wheel chair batteries which hold there power better in cold temperature and they're sealed and EZ to move about. Im very happy with the whole setup. Good luck I think it's a good idea

[jibstay]

I recently purchased an Avon Compact RIB and an ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 electric outboard to use as our backup dinghy. So far, I’m very happy with both.