The transition to electric traction is not just a tribute to fashion or a requirement of environmental friendliness, but a real step towards comfort on the water. Silent work It allows you to sneak up on fish invisibly, and the absence of vibrations and the smell of exhaust fumes makes the walk more pleasant. primer equipment.
Many beginners make the mistake of thinking that it's enough to just screw the motor to a transom and throw the battery into the nose of the boat. connection It requires careful cross-sections, contact protection and weight distribution, and improper installation can cause the wiring to lose traction at the most inopportune time, or even fire up.
In this article, we will look at all the steps from the selection of the mounting site to the final tests under load, you will learn how to avoid common mistakes and provide your boat with a reliable source of energy. Remember that the quality of the connection terminals affects the efficiency of the whole system more than the declared power of the engine itself.
Choice of the mounting location and transom bracket
The first step is always to determine the optimal place to install. If you use an inflatable PVC boat or lightweight plastic, you probably need to use it. trannyIt allows you to anchor the motor above the waterline, which protects lower unit from impacts to the bottom when driving in shallow water.
Metal or heavy plastic boats often practice installation through a hole in the transom. It is a more time-consuming process requiring drilling of the hull, but it provides better aerodynamics And it's important to consider that the center of gravity will shift, and the boat can change its driving performance.
When choosing a bracket, pay attention to its load capacity. Cheap models of thin aluminum can deform under the weight of a powerful motor, especially on the wave.
⚠️ Warning: Never attach the bracket just to the soft side of an inflatable boat without using a rigid insert or a tray board. This can cause the cylinder to rupture and sink the vessel.
Necessary tools and components
Before you start, you need to prepare the entire arsenal of tools, and you need not only standard wrenches, but also specific devices for working with electricity. Quality of installation It depends on what you are using.
- 🔧 A set of carob and cape keys for tightening fasteners.
- 🔌 A tool for cleaning wires (stripper) and crimping mites.
- 🔋 Multimeter to check voltage and circuit integrity.
- ⚡ Thermal shrink tubes and a building hair dryer for insulating joints.
Pay special attention to wires. Electric motors are used. copper-core cable The use of a wire that is too thin will cause the voltage to drop and the insulation to heat up.
☑️ Installation readiness check
Connection scheme and calculation of the wire cross-section
The electrical circuit of the motor is the heart of your system, and the main mistake is to neglect the length of the wires. The longer the path from the battery to the motor, the greater the voltage loss. cable-section It should be taken out with a margin, especially if the battery is located in the nose and the engine is on the stern.
To connect, use only special sea terminals that are not oxidized by salt water. Conventional solder can open up with vibration over time, so mechanical soldering is preferable. pressing with subsequent soldering for reliability.
Below is a table of the length and strength of the wire section, which is averaged, but it will help you avoid critical errors in the design of the wiring.
| Current power (Ampere) | Wire length up to 2.5 m | Wire length up to 5 m | Wire length up to 7.5 m |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-15 AA | 1.5 mm2 | 2.5 mm2 | 4.0 mm2 |
| 20-30A | 2.5 mm2 | 4.0 mm2 | 6.0 mm2 |
| 40-50 A | 6.0 mm2 | 10.0 mm2 | 16.0 mm2 |
| 60+A | 10.0 mm2 | 16.0 mm2 | 25.0 mm2 |
Why are the wires warm?
If you notice the wires heating up, it means that the cable cross section is too small for current to flow, the resistance of the conductor increases, the energy goes into heat, not into the propeller movement, and this can also cause the voltage at the terminals of the motor to drop, causing it to lose power.
Battery installation and chain protection
The battery is the heaviest part of the system, and its proper placement is critical to the safety of the system. boat-balancingMost often, the battery is installed in the bow to compensate for the weight of the engine and passengers on the stern, but this increases the length of the power wires.
Be sure to use a special battery box. It protects the battery from splashes, impacts and, most importantly, prevents the leakage of electrolyte in the event of a boat tipping over. Inside the box should be a vent to remove gases if you use it. acidic (WET/GEL) batteries.
The circuit between the battery and the motor must be fuse or circuit breaker, which protects the wiring from short circuit, and the value of the fuse must be adjusted according to the maximum current consumption of the motor.
⚠️ Warning: Place the fuse as close to the battery plug as possible. If a short circuit occurs between the battery and the fuse, the protection will not work, which can lead to fire.
To extend the life of the battery on fishing, use lithium (LiFePO4) batteries. They are lighter than lead, do not fear deep discharge and give full capacity even at high load currents.
Installation of the motor and adjustment of the depth of immersion
After the electrical part is ready, we move to mechanical mounting. When you install the motor on the bracket, make sure that all the bolts are tightened securely and fixed by the growers or the thread locker. The vibration on the water is very strong and can unwind even tightly clamped joints.
The key is to adjust the depth of the propeller, and if the propeller is too close to the surface, it will cavitate, which will reduce thrust and cause the windings to overheat, and if it's too deep, it will increase the resistance of the water.
The optimal position is when the center of the screw is 15-20 cm below the surface of the water when moving. electric motors With a vertical shaft, this is especially important, since the cooling system is often tied to the flow of water around the lower unit.
The correct depth of the screw immersion increases the efficiency of the motor to 20% and prevents cavitation erosion of the blades.
First start-up and testing of the system
Before you set sail in the middle of the pond, do a thorough test in shallow water, turn the engine on at minimum speeds and check the reverse, make sure the control tube runs smoothly, without jamming.
During the test, be sure to check the temperature of the wires at the points of connection. If a section began to warm after 2-3 minutes of operation, then the contact is poor or the wire cross section is insufficient. Thermal imager Or just a hand to help you find the problem area.
Also, pay attention to the behavior of the boat. If the nose is heavily burrowed into the water or, conversely, it is difficult to move the battery or change the angle of the motor. differentiator It will provide maximum speed and economical energy consumption.
⚠️ Warning: Do not test the motor on land outside the water for longer than 10-15 seconds. Lack of water cooling can lead to rapid overheating of the lower unit and damage to the glands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does the electric motor last on a single charge?
The operating time depends on the battery capacity (Ah) and the mode of operation of the motor. For example, a traction battery 100 Ah when operating at 50% power (about 20-25 A) will provide approximately 3-4 hours of travel. At a minimum speed, the time can reach 8-10 hours.
Can I use a conventional car battery?
It's not recommended. Starter batteries are not designed to give off low-power current for long periods of time. They degrade rapidly at deep discharges. traction (Deep Cycle).
Do I need to lubricate the electric motor shaft?
Yes, regular maintenance is necessary. Usually, a special lubricant is laid in the gearbox, but the ossels and moving parts of the pump require periodic lubrication with silicone compounds to prevent corrosion and jamming.
What to do if the engine loses power?
Check the battery status (possibly it has run out), inspect the screw for coiled grass or fishing line, and check contacts for oxidation. Often the problem lies in poor terminal contact.