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25-09-2016, 11:49
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 2
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Boat conversions with Prius
Could i take the electric motor, controls, battery from a prius and used it for my convertion on a 17 foot boat
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25-09-2016, 14:40
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: virginia
Boat: islandpacket
Posts: 1,967
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Re: Boat conversions with Prius
Sure, do it. Just post photos and results.
Sent from my SM-G920P using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app
__________________
That derelict boat was another dream for somebody else, don't let it be your nightmare and a waste of your life.
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25-09-2016, 20:09
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 669
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Re: Boat conversions with Prius
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.
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26-09-2016, 08:07
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#5
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: California
Boat: Alerion Express 38 Yawl (former)
Posts: 468
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Re: Boat conversions with Prius
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
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26-09-2016, 08:12
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: North Charleston, SC
Boat: Camano Troll
Posts: 5,098
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Re: Boat conversions with Prius
Sure, why not?
__________________
Ron
HIGH COTTON
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26-09-2016, 08:15
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus

Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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Re: Boat conversions with Prius
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?
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26-09-2016, 08:28
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus

Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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Re: Boat conversions with Prius
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.
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26-09-2016, 08:44
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 24,959
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Re: Boat conversions with Prius
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.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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26-09-2016, 09:19
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Boston's North Shore
Boat: Pearson 10M
Posts: 839
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Re: Boat conversions with Prius
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.
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26-09-2016, 09:30
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SC
Boat: None,build the one shown of glass, had many from 6' to 48'.
Posts: 10,210
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Re: Boat conversions with Prius
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.
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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.
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26-09-2016, 11:54
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Redding, CA
Boat: Sea Ray Weekender 230
Posts: 4
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Re: Boat conversions with Prius
How about a gas powered leaf blower aimed at the main sail?
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26-09-2016, 15:58
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 523
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Re: Boat conversions with Prius
What about two prius electric powered leaf blowers. One pointed at the jib and the other pointed at the mainsail. You gotta do it right !
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26-09-2016, 16:15
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: DFW
Boat: wanting a cat
Posts: 509
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Re: Boat conversions with Prius
Quote:
Originally Posted by uboat
How about a gas powered leaf blower aimed at the main sail?
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Your first post! Priceless...
meatservo
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26-09-2016, 16:22
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Reno / Bodega Harbor
Boat: Bruce Roberts Offshore 44
Posts: 304
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Re: Boat conversions with Prius
The Original Prius had a 40 hp electric motor, the next release was 44 hp, and the next was 57 hp.
__________________
Rick
S/V Blind Faith
Bodega Bay, CA USA
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