Saturday, June 27, 2009

GOING ELECTRIC PART 18: Tools of the electric sailor.

The motor is in place. The batteries are in place. Now comes the time where buying the ASMO MARINE THOOSA 9000 system really comes in handy. One of the reasons I went with the ASMO system was that it is relatively turn key product. Which is good because I am fast approaching deadlines to head off to a rendevous in Newport Rhode Island.

The Thoosa 9000 system provided by NGC Marine provided a controller that was prewired with about 15 feet of 2 AWG guage battery wires. They also provide an industrial type of throttle control and optional battery monitor both prewired with connectors that simply plug into the controller.

The only thing I need to do is to run the motor and battery cables cut them to length and put connectors on them and also interconnect the batteries to make the 48 volt bank. In order to do this properly I needed to buy two tools I did not already have:


The photo above shows a nasty looking piece of technology called the CACTUS CC-325 ratchting cable cutter. It cuts the big 2 AWG cables nice and flush and does it very easy too. If you are going electric it is a good thing to have onboard. You never know when you might have to replace a jumper between batteries or replace a connector. Another item you should buy and have available is this:

An industrial heavy duty crimper. This is needed to make secure crimps on the battery and motor cable lugs. Now the only thing remaining to do is to mount the controller and wire it to the battery bank and motor. Then plug in the throttle control, key switch and battery monitor and BIANKA will become the world's first electric Nonsuch 30.
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4 comments:

storm said...

There is also a hammer operated crimper that only costs around $20. You do have to have a solid surface to put it on so it is not as handy.

Capt. Mike said...

I'm not real crazy about the hammer operated crimp tools. Too many varibles like impact force. I prefer the crimp tool. If you are going to install an electric propulsion system you will be making a number of crimps now and in the future. I think it is a worthwhile investment to go that route. But, that's my two cents.

JB said...

I'm with you Mike. Owning a ratcheting crimper is a no-brainer for those of us with electric drives. Yes, it's an expensive, specialized tool, but the thought of trying to hammering 34 connections (Sine Metu is powered by 12 LiFePo4 batteries wired in series and parallel to add up to a 48v, 120 Ah system) made the cost more than reasonable.

Good sailing!

JB
SailingSineMetu.com

Capt. Mike said...

JB:
Yep. The right tool really helps. I'm keeping an eye on LiFePo4 battery technology for future replacements of the EP battery bank. But, so far my 8A4D AGM's seem to be holding up fine after six years so far.