Hobie Cat Forums

Has anyone tried to install a solar panel to help recharge the eVolve Lithium Battery? I have been thinking about buying an eVolve motor. The 2011 Hobie catalog mentions that there is a solar charging port, but no solar panel available yet. There are several fairly robust flexible water proof solar panels on the market. Has anyone calculated how long it would take to recharge the battery using solar panels...and the area covered?
My winter project is to construct a couple of teak platforms for the akas. I could install one or more solar panels on the platforms.

We are still testing the solar option. Would need special connectors and I am sure voltage is critical to the system. I wouldn't try to do that on my own and risk damaging the system.

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Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

We've done it with our FF batteries and the thing is, you'll never have enough surface area in solar mats on a kayak to even power a FF directly. Best you can do is add just a little extra battery life during the day.

To charge a battery such as the EVolve uses, you'd be talking at least a couple days or more of total sunlight.

Actually... the larger cell we are testing (3x4) can run the motor at 3 MPH... as long as there is sun or charge the battery in about one one day. We are also looking at a smaller 2x3. Both are soft and can roll up for storage.

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Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

If you can completely charge the battery in 8 to 10 hours (that's a day's sunlight in most places) then that's a pretty decent solar mat. Of course, they continue to get better each year.

Matt - how many volts are the battery packs ... and how many watts is the motor drawing at full tilt as well as at the 3mph "solar cruise" speed ?

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Alan W.
'07 Hobie Adventure Island #1
'07 Hobie Adventure Island #2 Golden Papaya AI LadyJane
... both in Golden Papaya
'06? Hobie Outback SUV

if i remember correctly, the battery is 28 or 32 volts. reasonably efficient solar panels produce ~12 watts per square foot. so 3x4 should produce about 144 watts

j

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2011 Golden Papaya TI with a 250 square foot spinnaker!
also a more manageable 100 square foot spinny...
&
the TI3 rear ama mod

Maybe on a home rooftop system. I think you'll be very lucky to get a practical, portable system over 90W/15V for a kayak trip. The best ones I have seen need to be at least 6x4ft long opened.

These guys have some cool looking foldable 30/60/90W choices.



The way things are progressing, it may be possible to get higher voltages, any day though.

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"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand

I actually am more excited about small marine wind turbines, like those seen on sailboats around here.



Those things can put out enough power to cook a car battery, so an AI sized version on the bow or rear deck might be sufficient to run an eVolve or charge its battery while you sail (or sit still).

Having one onboard doing 300 rpm could also make things pretty exciting.

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"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PtbE9m7 ... re=related
This solar powered Torqeedo looks good even without a battery.

I love the idea of that Torqueedo for a Getaway! With a solar option? Can't go wrong!

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Funny, a cloud came over and they never actually showed the guy making it back to the dock.
(Should have brought the oars with him?)

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"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand

While contemplating buying the Torqeeto, I found an alternate waterproof electric motor called the WaterSnake on Amazon.com. $90 versus $2000! But it has to be hung rather than inserted into a Mirage well. Required voltages are about the same. A lot of solar powered kayaks being put together in Australia. They are using 60 watt panels for direct drive rather than just battery charging.
I first thought about clamping the motor to the rear aka...but worried about damaging the aka. Would it work to secure a rectangular hollow aluminum tube to the rear cross-brace rather than the aka and then clamp the motor to the tube? Any suggestions on how to side mount a small motor to a TI?

Bob "fusioneng" has a small trolling motor mounted on his ultimate TI.

viewtopic.php?t=33720

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The Watersnake motors are identical to the Sevylor and MotorGuide brands. They all use the same Chinese motor. I have a small one and used it on a jon boat for a couple years. It worked fine.

On another note, a 2x3 foot solar panel/mat that can power any electric trolling motor, under load, pushing any watercraft the size of a kayak at 3MPH is a technological marvel. I'd buy one in an instant.