Discover our range of batteries that are suitable for your boat!
Discover our range of batteries that are suitable for your boat!
There are 10 products.
Showing 1-10 of 10 item(s)
The battery for an electric boat is a crucial component of the equipment as it directly affects the autonomy. It is therefore crucial to match the battery to the motor in terms of capacity and power. A powerful electric motor will provide sustained speed but for a shorter duration. It is up to each individual to target the specific usage they want for their vessel.
The electric boat, which has the advantage of being quiet and environmentally friendly, is increasingly attracting enthusiasts of gentle boating such as river navigation. Any boater wishing to opt for this alternative to traditional motorized boats should assess their intended usage before choosing an electric motor. The battery for the electric boat motor is a key component. Regardless of the battery type, two characteristics should be considered: voltage, expressed in volts, and capacity, measured in ampere-hours (Ah). Simply multiply the voltage by the capacity to obtain the amount of electricity in kilowatt-hours (kWh). For example, a 12V battery with a capacity of 100 Ah contains 1.2 kWh: 12 x 100 = 1,200 Wh.
Before choosing a battery for an electric boat, it is important to be aware of the existing technologies. Starting batteries are used solely for starting the motor or activating elements such as navigation lights, depth finders, or bilge pumps. On the other hand, deep cycle or leisure batteries are perfectly suited for an electric boat as they are designed to power electrical systems subjected to constant heavy demands.
To determine the battery bank capacity, which refers to the number of batteries needed to power the boat's electric outboard motor, it is advisable to conduct a comprehensive energy assessment. For example, for the Ruban Bleu 7-seat electric boat named SCOOP, equipped with a 1.6 kW motor for 7 hours of autonomy and a maximum speed of 8 km/h, a battery bank consisting of four 6V batteries with a capacity of 320 ampere-hours is required.
They each have their own specificities and advantages. The open lead-acid battery, designed with a diluted sulfuric acid electrolyte and distilled water, is cost-effective but requires regular maintenance. The gel battery is easy to handle but has a limited lifespan, approximately 400 cycles at 80% discharge. The lithium-ion battery, a recent and promising technology, is more expensive but offers the advantage of being not only convenient and lightweight but also guarantees an average of 1,300 cycles at 100% discharge.
For a boat rental company operating electric boats from a marina, it will be necessary to recharge the batteries each evening after use to be able to reuse the boats the next day. To do this, simply connect the battery to the electric charging terminals installed on the pontoon. These chargers are designed to match the battery's specifications. Generally, for optimal charging, a constant current is applied at the beginning of the cycle. At around 80% charge, the charger switches to an absorption voltage. During this phase, the current decreases as the internal resistance increases. Once the current stabilizes, the charger switches to floating voltage.
A battery is not eternal. Its deterioration can be caused by several factors. The most common ones are overcharging and deep discharges. Intensive discharging and recharging of the battery lead to a loss of mass that deteriorates the material. Corrosion occurs when the voltage is high at the end of the charging cycle, causing the positive plates to degrade.
To minimize these phenomena, it is advisable to use a boat battery charger that can constantly adapt the voltage and current. Also, make sure to grease the battery terminals well to limit sulfation. Sulfation can be observed when white powder appears and crystallizes on the electrodes. The formation of this insulating layer prevents recharging.
Keep in mind that a battery discharges even when it is not in use. The lower the temperature, the less significant this loss will be. During the boat's winter storage, it is highly recommended to remove the batteries (even maintenance-free batteries) and store them in a dry, cool, and ventilated place. To keep a lead-acid battery in good condition for as long as possible, it is necessary to regularly check and refill the levels. The battery performs better when the plates are fully immersed in the water/acid mixture. In summer, the water inside the battery evaporates, and the levels decrease dangerously. In such cases, you will need to fill your battery with demineralized water. An automatic fill cap container is ideal for this purpose. Remember, the levels should always be checked after a recharge.
