Smart Drives used as solar driven BLDC motors on a boat.

If you need a Smart Drive BLCD to run directly from PV or a battery we can help.

What the boat makers had to say:

Fellow builder Chris & I launched on 13th April at Clayton Bay with all systems working pretty much on spec. Took it back up the hill to the shed on the block for a final fit out over Easter. Began a trip on Easter Monday to spend 4 nights on the river up around the Big Bend at Morgan. Did about 80km up and down river, camping on the boat, over 3 days and ended with the batteries full. Turns out the motors only draw ~150watts each at 6kph cruise (hull speed is about 7kph) - panels are 2 x 250W per motor, so even in less than perfect conditions we have a bit up the sleeve. We should be able to run the fridge to keep the beer cold! We then put the boat back on the trailer and moved down to Goolwa for the SA wooden boat festival where we won the "Most Interesting Boat" prize!

Not exactly sure about the “Most Interesting Boat” prize – lots of connotations possible there – but nice to be noticed - all good fun and we got lots of great comments and amazed looks. The picture is one that appeared on a “paddle boat news” Facebook page – Chris & I and another engineer friend, in the final “Grand Parade” of the festival. Chris commented that it isn’t often 3 engineers get waves and cheers!