Category: Electrical & Engines

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Seakeeper Ride, on the water

It’s been almost six months since Seakeeper completed the installation of their new Ride attitude control system on Panbo(at). Since then, I’ve spent quite a few hours on the water using the new system and getting a feel for what it can and can’t do. So, please, read on and see what I’ve discovered about the system, how it’s improved the ride of Panbo(at) and how it might pair with a stabilizing gyro as well.

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Epoch’s new 460 amp-hour, external communicating battery arrives and testing begins

In a short time, Epoch has made a name for itself producing high-quality batteries at a remarkable value. I first tested their 100 amp-hour batteries and thought they were the best blend of value, features, and quality I have encountered. In fact, there were only two areas I thought Epoch could improve upon. First, higher density, and second, external communications. Epoch seems to have addressed both those issues and more.

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Boat Building School Enhances Hands-on Program with Nigel Calder’s BoatHowTo Electrical Courses 

The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding (NWSWB) and the online course platform BoatHowTo.com announce a strategic partnership for technical education. All students of the NWSWB Marine Systems program get free access to the marine electrical online courses and resources at BoatHowTo. The BoatHowTo team and Ritz share a commitment to technical accuracy and keeping abreast of the rapid changes shaping the boating industry. According to Ritz, the BoatHowTo courses offer…

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METS 2023: EPT Technologies solid-state battery destruction demo

You can bet that when a company puts out word that they’re going to destroy a new battery technology on the show floor, both Panbo Bens will be there. Ben Ellison even had the honor of playing Vanna White for the demonstration. EPT Technologies, with permission from show management, pierced a solid-state battery cell with a screwdriver. Not once, but twice. Want to know what happened? Read on, but, spoiler alert, both Bens are fine.

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Victron’s new Orion Smart DC-to-DC converter, exciting developments

DC-to-DC converters might not be the most exciting component you will find on a boat, but they play an important role in many modern power systems. Perhaps in part because of their lack of sex appeal, the selection and features of DC-to-DC converters have, until now, been limited. Fortunately, that seems to be changing. I’ll dig into a few other developments in the category later, but first, let’s take a look at what’s new from Victron.

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Torqeedo reveals next-generation electric outboards: the all-new Travel family

With more than 250,000 Torqeedo drive systems in the field, Torqeedo today introduces their latest product innovation. The iconic Travel motor has been delighting boaters with its outstanding efficiency, useful technology, and easy-to-use design since 2005 and more than 100,000 Travel motors have already been sold worldwide. Now, Torqeedo has taken the original to the next level…

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Dockmate And Hinckley Cooperate On Integration With The JetStick 4

Dockmate, manufacturer of advanced wireless remote controls for yachts, announced today the integration of Dockmate wireless joystick docking technology with the JetStick 4, the proprietary joystick controller from Hinckley Yachts. Dockmate’s VECTOR remote will be able to seamlessly emulate the JetStick 4’s operation, allowing boaters to have identical experiences when using either. Boaters will even be able to use their Dockmate VECTOR remote to engage and disengage the JetStick 4’s quality of life features – Dockhold and G-Lock. Dockmate and…

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Scania Showcases New Marine Hybrid Solution

A new innovation in alternative propulsion, the E-Machine is a compact, modular, yet powerful solution with propulsion, inverter and power control unit integrated into a single system. Depending on the application, the E-Machine can be mated to a Scania combustion engine for hybrid propulsion or directly to a gearbox for a fully electric system. The modular design allows for Scania to supply the necessary system components to meet the needs of almost any sized vessel…

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ePropulsion Launches X40 Outboard Engine

ePropulsion, a global leader and market challenger in marine electric propulsion systems and services, announced today the launch of their all-new X40 Electric Outboard, the future of clean, quiet and powerful marine propulsion, at this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show from October 25th – 29th, 2023. Weighing 20% less than traditional motors, the X40 offers 40 kW of power with 88.2% total powertrain efficiency. Using a proprietary algorithm, ePropulsion has also optimized over 20 key variables to achieve…

VoltSafe's pedestal and shore power box 30

Voltsafe aims to revolutionize shore power connectivity

Recently, I participated in judging the NMMA’s Innovation Awards at IBEX. Participating in the awards affords me a sneak peek at new products and technology. This year’s IBEX was full of interesting and compelling new products. But, if I had to pick one product that I’m most excited about, VoltSafe’s managed shore power system is a strong contender. Let’s take a look at the system and why I’m excited about it.