[CARPDIGGER]

Kinda sounds like they guys running a genny to a converter to a set of batteries to run DC LEDs

I've often thought of this as well and think it would be a great idea. Again its going to take MK or MG to pony up for a small market. Maybe time for a new player to move in!

 

[Delawareriver]

Don't know about other areas in the country but here in Pennsylvania and new Jersey we sure have a bunch of electric only lakes ranging in size from 20 acres right up to over 1000 acres. Could see some of trout trolling guys would be interested in it as well as bowfishing guys.

 

[stevencarter88]

if it was an electric only lake they couldn't use a gas generator to power their trolling motor!

 

[jdrockin]

I've been working on this as a side project for a little while now. Between work, wife, new kid, jet jon, etc etc, there is a reason its been a side project for quite a while.... I also decided to go with a fan on the new boat so it got pushed to low priority. That being said, its something I still really want to do and I've put work into it already. Its actually going to be relatively simple to make, and it tentatively looks like it won't be disgustingly expensive either. I'm hoping I can get around to building it this summer.

 

[schaff]

It would be annoyingly loud but I think someone should put a prop on a weed eater and use that as a trolling motor :laugh:

 

[jdrockin]

And here you go!

 

[glassbow201]

Don't know about other areas in the country but here in Pennsylvania and new Jersey we sure have a bunch of electric only lakes ranging in size from 20 acres right up to over 1000 acres. Could see some of trout trolling guys would be interested in it as well as bowfishing guys.

Yeah I don't think that would fly, running a genny on an electric only lake.

 

[Delawareriver]

if it was an electric only lake they couldn't use a gas generator to power their trolling motor!

Yeah I don't think that would fly, running a genny on an electric only lake.

I've called and asked it only has to do with the boat motors. Most of the lakes it's to do with safety with speed and creating wakes causing erosion . I used a genny to run my lights with zero issues on these lakes and know one trout guy that is using a converter after I told him how to keep his troller charged for those all day trips

 

[zimboydevon]

I've always ran my genny on electric only lakes with no issues... And I would def be interested in a electric troller!

 

[glassbow201]

Wow, I was told just the opposite. That is pretty typical, of course. I guess you get it in writing?

 

[Delawareriver]

Wow, I was told just the opposite. That is pretty typical, of course. I guess you get it in writing?

Nope it was a verbal conversation but I'll see if I can track down and get it in an email

 

[garpwacker]

My experience with electric motor only waters, or no gas motors has mainly to do with the water in the lake or reservoir is for drinking water and they don't want the gas outboards with exhaust underwater running on there or polluting the water, or as said to keep it a no wake type piece of water due to its size with houses and such around shoreline. Don't see where gennie in boat above water would violate that.... But as we all know it's all open to interpretation

 

[Texas Two Guns]

I would buy one.

 

[Istickem]

I wouldn't buy one. Having to run gen all the time, no thanks, I do too much day bow and fly fishin

AC motors cost more $, AC motor controllers cost more $, AC motors produce less torque especially at lower rpm's and lower HP.

 

[CARPDIGGER]

I had a conversation with a very intelligent person on this subject. He said the size of AC motor we would have to run out on the end of the shaft would be way to big to produce the same torque as the standard DC motors we are currently running. Of course i asked why and after 10 minutes my head was spinning i was sorry to even ask the question. I think its a better pipe dream than a reality. :headbang:

 

[jdrockin]

I had a conversation with a very intelligent person on this subject. He said the size of AC motor we would have to run out on the end of the shaft would be way to big to produce the same torque as the standard DC motors we are currently running. Of course i asked why and after 10 minutes my head was spinning i was sorry to even ask the question. I think its a better pipe dream than a reality. :headbang:

A debate that goes back to Edison vs Tesla.

There are certainly differences between AC and DC, but there are also advantages and disadvantages to both. We are still using both types today because of this. Primary reason (I think) AC motors would be great for bowfishing are because

a) you can run directly from the generator and are therefore more efficiently using your power with no loss from conversion and
b) ac motors you can modulate the frequency and safely run them far past what they spin at 60 hz. This would allow for a huge range of rotational speeds. With proper gearing, the torque and hp losses in using AC vs DC could be completely negated.

Also, AC motors aren't more expensive than DC. I put together a partial parts list and the motor is only $150 for 1.5 HP, a full $80 cheaper than the comparable DC motor. The AC motor weighs .8 lbs more than the equivalent DC motor. Admittedly the controls are slightly more costly, since I now need a frequency drive to modulate my motor speed rather than voltage control, but still only an extra $50-$100 depending on how fancy I want to get. The vast majority of the remaining parts list remains common between AC and DC motors.

Edit: The reason I'm capping at 1.5 - 2 HP is due to current limitations of most generators. I want to be under the 15A mark = 1800 Watts

Also, the frequency drive would be for a 3 phase motor. For single phase you'd need to use something with pulse width modulation

 

[Istickem]

VFDs for AC motors running on single phase AC power that our generators supply are more complex and costly unless you want to replace the motor often(which I have done many many times at work). The issue of shaft currents produced in AC motors controlled with VFDs and the resultant shortening of motor bearing life is a proven and real problem only solved by expensive, complex, and large VFDs.
Any sort of gearing to try to equal low end torque will only add cost and bulk to the system and likely not even available for this application.
Until there is demand supplying money for serious R&D AC trollers will continue to look like the homemade electric outboard in the youtube video.

 

[kawicat]

I had the "ac" troller at Worlds last year. It's a 90 volt dc motor being feed from a 2400watt generator. It does work and pushes like a bulldozer through just about anything, weeds, muck can't slow it down. I actually could not stop the prop from turning, ever. There are some problems with my design. First, is weight. The motor alone is 40lbs. The complete motor is close to 180lbs. It's like having another person on the deck. Second, is the amps the motor can take. Where this thing makes crazy torque is beyond what the current brush setup can take. In the sweet spot I had it pulling a 2060 boat at 5 mph against a fast river current! Definately not perfect, but for a first attempt it was very promising. The Yamaha 2400 would only come off idle at start up. I did get greedy with the over amping of the motor, and burned some of the windings. It still runs, but smells like burnt plastic really bad. I tried a direct AC motor first, and it didn't have enough torque to even start the prop in water. I am no engineer, but with a purpose built motor and a lighter aluminum body it would kick ass. I should start a different thread about this.

 

[Payphone Jones]

Stories are better with pictures. Please.

 

[kawicat]

I need to figure out how to post them...