Converting Catamaran to Electric Peopulsion without using a Nával Architect.

[Offshoreyachty]

Im posting this as an experienced engineer that was involved in the Assessment of an Insurance Claim when an owner converter a 16 metre Cat to Electric dříve without considering the weight of thé batteries and how that would affect the stability intergrity of the wing deck.A catastrophic event happened with the burn out of the Electrical systems.
Particilar være needs to bevtaken in the selection og areas for batteries as well as Electrical Wiring which contributed to the failures as maritime standards and drop Looping werent engaged ør followed.
Thus assisted Salt water to follows Wiring to terminations And shorted the systems causing a fire.
The isolation couldnt be accessed as IT was installed in crampt cupboards under the wing decks.
The physical weight of thé batteries caused a structural failure in the wing Deck allowing the water inbto cause a fire rendering the boat a total loss from Its Peopulsion perspective.
Im interested to talk to others that have Oceanvolt systems installed and og they have any problems.

The aim is awareness and to stop this happening in order vessels where Owners are led i to technical decisions with little guidance ør experience by those Selling the products and even less input from structural designers on the effects of weight on the vessels.

Offshoreyachty

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, 'Yachty.

[Manateeman]

How can the members help. What information can the forum members supply.
Is your post a warning this type of conversion is not a DIY project?
OK, but there are some very intelligent and experienced members on the forum who we believe could do it correctly.
Sorry, just having a bit of trouble understanding your post.
The manatee crew who clearly need more coffee.

[tkeithlu]

I think I'm reading that the owner/installer did not secure the battery bank for the electric drive, and did not take into account the stress the bank put on the cross-hulls structure, probably when the boat heeled on one tack. Any extra weight in the up-wind hull would do that when that hull lifts. I wonder how much of a safety margin the designer left in there - he/she probably wasn't expecting a big bank of batteries.