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Nextlevel25 · 25-09-2016, 11:49

Could i take the electric motor, controls, battery from a prius and used it for my convertion on a 17 foot boat

Steadman Uhlich · 25-09-2016, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nextlevel25

Could i take the electric motor, controls, battery from a prius and used it for my convertion on a 17 foot boat

Howdy.

There have been numerous previous discussions of the possibilities of Electric Propulsion of sailboats, including using a Prius motor.

https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=011403...ius&gsc.page=1

Here is a link to a quick search of the forum archives. You will need to do some digging, but Prius motors were mentioned in one of the threads.

https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=011403...ric&gsc.page=1

More tips sent via PM. Good luck.

Badsanta · 25-09-2016, 14:40

Sure, do it. Just post photos and results.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

dlymn · 25-09-2016, 20:09

Don't forget to take the petrol engine and generator and install that too. Batteries alone might let you motor for 1-2 hours or less per charge. The standard battery provides 20 kw of energy. That will drive the 50kw prius motor for 40 minutes at full load assuming that the lithium batteries are OK to be discharged 100%. The Prius only uses the electric system for starting off from rest and a little city driving. The petrol motor soon kicks in to recharge the battery and is also use for all non-city high speed driving.

Chuck Hawley · 26-09-2016, 08:07

I think the normal Prius battery holds about 1kwh of energy, which is about the same as a normal 12V lead-acid battery. Sure, there are lots of reasons why the Prius battery is different, but from a energy capacity standpoint, it's pretty tiny.

While there may be some pieces of Prius hardware that might be helpful, it's intended to be in a start-stop-start-stop world, quite unlike the use that a boat gets.

Cheers, and good luck,

Chuck

rwidman · 26-09-2016, 08:12

Sure, why not?

**a64pilot** · 26-09-2016, 08:15

Prius battery specs
Toyota Prius Battery Specs - EAA-PHEV

First, very high voltage and not that big as in energy storage really, major use for it is it's ability to be very rapidly charged and discharged, as in regenerative braking and then getting the car back up to speed.
Prius drive train is actually very sophisticated and very much optimized for use in land vehicle propulsion, enough time and money and you can make anything work.

What is the goal here?

**a64pilot** · 26-09-2016, 08:28

I have not done it and won't, but if I were to try electric propulsion on a smaller boat, I'd look for a junk golf cart and harvest the motor and controls out of that.

Prius is very complicated, I believe it's motor/ generators are actually AC motors driven by high voltage DC? Plus I believe they are integral to the PSD or Power Split Device and are not bolt on motors, but I also believe the drive train would be more suited to at least a 40+ ft boat.

Cheechako · 26-09-2016, 08:44

There's a big difference in Hybrid for cars and for water. For one, once the car is up to speed the energy required to keep it moving is low. For a boat that is not so, it just keeps needing energy.

guyrj33 · 26-09-2016, 09:19

The propulsion system from a 2017 BMW i3 with range extender would be a much better match than a Pious. But yes you could use one in a boat.
The naivety of your question impels me to add a cautionary statement advising you to seek professional help.

Cadence · 26-09-2016, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako

There's a big difference in Hybrid for cars and for water. For one, once the car is up to speed the energy required to keep it moving is low. For a boat that is not so, it just keeps needing energy.

To Quote my father, " A boat is like driving a truck up hill all the time."

The OP's idea may work if the intention is only making a berth.

Using a Prius battery bank with a DC motor.