Elco AC propulsion: | DC propulsion | |
Direct drive motor | Yes | No |
Efficiency | 85% to 92% | 55% to 60% |
Periodic maintenance | 50,000 hours | 2,000 hours |
Only one moving part | Yes | No |
Integrated motor & controls | Yes | No |
Plug & Play | Yes | No |
Water resistant to IP-65 | Yes | No |
Cast Aluminum mount & enclosure | Yes | No |
Not all electric motors are created equal
Elco has developed a new, more efficient series of marine propulsion systems based upon the use of super reliable AC induction motors. The AC motor has unequaled reliability, simplicity of design, efficiency and ultimately lower cost.
The efficiency of the Elco AC Motor is 85-92%, which is over 30% more efficient than a DC motor and over 40-50% more efficient than a combustion motor. You really have to experience it to believe it; schedule a demo today.
The AC motor is rated for up to 50,000 hours. With only one moving part, there isn’t much that can go wrong and the motor requires virtually zero maintenance.
Elco AC Electric Motor Compared to a DC Motor
Elco Chief Engineer Joe Fleming explains the Elco AC three phase motor and how it differs from a DC motor.
The EP “All Electric” System uses only batteries so there is no gas, diesel, or oil aboard this vessel. The electric motor requires no maintenance and has an expected service life of 50,000 hours. The All Electric is perfect for sailboats and other displacement and semi-displacement hulls.
Torque
The Elco EP Motor is pure torque, unlike a diesel that uses belts, pulleys, and many other moving parts. The diesel motors moving parts create losses in torque and on average, only 40%-60% of the power created is actually used to propel your vessel. –Further, the motor only reaches full torque at one particular point in the torque curve.
An Elco EP Motor contains only one moving part and provides full torque throughout most of the torque curve. The EP motor provides full torque at 1RPM, all while operating in complete silence.
CHARGING OPTIONS
SHORE POWER
SOLAR PANELS
WIND GENERATOR
PROP REGENERATION
The EP Hybrid Electric Serial System consists of both our Patented Electric Motor and standard components, coupled with a marine generator. The generator will sip fuel while recharging the batteries. This system is perfect for sailboats, lobster boats, trawlers, yachts, and more.
Torque
The Elco EP Motor is pure torque, unlike a diesel that uses belts, pulleys, and many other moving parts. The diesel motors moving parts create losses in torque and on average, only 40%-60% of the power created is actually used to propel your vessel. –Further, the motor only reaches full torque at one particular point in the torque curve.
An Elco EP Motor contains only one moving part and provides full torque throughout most of the torque curve. The EP motor provides full torque at 1RPM, all while operating in complete silence.
CHARGING OPTIONS
AC GENERATOR
SHORE POWER
SOLAR PANELS
WIND GENERATOR
PROP REGENERATION
The EP Hybrid Electric Parallel System consists of both our patented motor and standard components, coupled with a combustion motor. Silently cruise or flip the switch and use the combustion motor, all while simultaneously re-charging the batteries. This system is perfect for all boats up to 85’ looking to take advantage of environmentally friendly propulsion.
Torque
The Elco EP Motor is pure torque, unlike a diesel that uses belts, pulleys, and many other moving parts. The diesel motors moving parts create losses in torque and on average, only 40%-60% of the power created is actually used to propel your vessel. –Further, the motor only reaches full torque at one particular point in the torque curve.
An Elco EP Motor contains only one moving part and provides full torque throughout most of the torque curve. The EP motor provides full torque at 1RPM, all while operating in complete silence.
CHARGING OPTIONS
COMBUSTION MOTOR
SHORE POWER
SOLAR PANELS
WIND GENERATOR
PROP REGENERATION
The EP Hybrid Electric Parallel and Serial System provides the best of all three EP combinations. Cruise silently for hours on the Elco electric motor, or quietly run the AC generator while keeping the batteries charged. You could also flip the switch and fire up the combustion motor, which charges the batteries from regeneration created by the Elco Electric Motor. This system is perfect for all inboard applications.
Torque
The Elco EP Motor is pure torque, unlike a diesel that uses belts, pulleys, and many other moving parts. The diesel motors moving parts create losses in torque and on average, only 40%-60% of the power created is actually used to propel your vessel. –Further, the motor only reaches full torque at one particular point in the torque curve.
An Elco EP Motor contains only one moving part and provides full torque throughout most of the torque curve. The EP motor provides full torque at 1RPM, all while operating in complete silence.
CHARGING OPTIONS
COMBUSTION MOTOR
AC GENERATOR
SHORE POWER
SOLAR PANELS
WIND GENERATOR
PROP REGENERATION
Elco Electric & Diesel Torque Curve
At Elco, we work closely with our customers to develop eco-friendly, value adding solutions that will fully meet specific requirements. Our award winning design team has over 100 years of combined experience. Furthermore, we partner with best of breed industry engineers and Electric Vehicle (EV) innovators to make sure every aspect of these highly confidential projects are covered. We utilize our existing market leading technologies from our highly efficient electric propulsion system, with products adapted and integrated to meet design and performance requirements.
Our role covers all major activities – design, project management, procurement, testing, and safety assessment. We are currently working with numerous manufacturers throughout the world, so their customers can experience the undeniable benefits of going electric. Read more about our award winning electric and hybrid designs below.
Hunter 27e with E-Power Electric System
The Hunter 27e with the E-Power Electric System remains entirely the same as the company’s very popular standard H-27 except for the diesel motor which has been substituted with the Elco EP-12, an electric inboard boat motor that offers the same amount of thrust as the H-27′s normal 14hp diesel motor.
The electric inboard boat motor offers the advantages of being truly “green” in that it does not emit any emissions, noise, vibrations, heat, or fumes as it operates solely on battery power. The batteries offer 6 to 8 hours of power to the motor before they will need to be recharged. The batteries can be charged either traditionally by connecting to shore power or by the use of the “Energy” option that incorporates an arch that holds 3 high efficiency solar panels incorporated into the bimini and a wind power generator. The environmentally friendly 27e affords its captain and crew the same great sailing performance as that of a standard H-27 with the added benefit of being truly a green sailing vessel.
Hunter 36h with E-Power Electric Hybrid System
The Elco E-Power Electric Hybrid System is a game changer for sailboat propulsion. Hunter and Elco developed the boat as part of a shared commitment to green technology solutions and innovation that improves the overall sailing experience. The Elco E-Power Hybrid System offers sailors more than just environmentally conscious cruising. The AC motor lowers motor operating and maintenance costs, eliminates the carbon monoxide and fumes present with traditional motors, runs cooler, quieter and weighs far less than gas or diesel motors. In addition, AC electric motors offer an advantage over DC models due to the lack of brushes and moving parts, which require regular maintenance and can wear out. The EP-40 has only one moving part and is completely sealed, making it highly water resistant to guard against moisture damage, or corrosion.
According to Steve Lamando, CEO of Elco, “Hunter is a well-known brand with a global reputation for customer-driven innovation. The Hunter team’s input into the development and integration of the E-Power System has been invaluable.
New York State Tug Repowered with Electric
The boat’s new electric motor was designed by Elco Motor Yachts, LLC, of Athens, New York.“By partnering with the private sector, New York State is transforming an 86-year old tug boat into a cleaner, greener and more modern zero-emission vehicle,” Governor Cuomo said. “Projects like this demonstrate our commitment to protecting the environment and show how this continued dedication is laying the groundwork for a clean energy economy of tomorrow.”The project makes use of a 1928 tug boat, now used as a dredge tender, for removing buoys and other canal work. Previously running off a 1980s-era diesel motor, the boat is now powered by a battery-powered all-electric power-train system. The all-electric system eliminates exhaust emissions and the potential for fuel spills, while lowering maintenance costs and reducing noise. The result is a more environmentally- and economically-sustainable solution.
Most Significant Boat of the Year by Workboat Magazine
Tender 4, the first electrically powered workboat in the New York State Canal System, has been selected as one of the Significant Boats of the Year by WorkBoat Magazine for advances in technology and design. The vessel was repowered earlier this year with twin Elco EP-10000 electric motors through a project conducted by the New York State Canal Corporation (“Canal Corporation”), the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), New West Technologies, and Elco Motor Yachts, a leader in electric and hybrid marine propulsion for more than 120 years.