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Trolling Motor Propellers (was: propulsion Navy 3.0 Propeller Dimensions)

 

The early Electric Paddle outboards used model airplane propellers, and the current models use props very like those on model airplanes:



Company founder Joe Grez did the entire 2019 Salish 100 using nothing but solar power:





The trouble with putting better props on trolling motors is that the submerged motor blocks a big part of the center of the prop...

A friend of mine got a couple of these plastic emergency props to try on his twin 80 lb. thrust trolling motor drive, but the clearance under his boat is so small he'll have to trim the diameter quite a bit:



I think Merc has discontinues these...

On 1/24/2020 6:13 AM, Myles T wrote:
I¡¯d recommend looking at what has been done for propeller-driven pedal-power drives.? Model airplane style propellers have been used effectively for these to drive kayaks at around 10kts.
...
--
John <jkohnen@...>
Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour. (John Boswell)
 

Thanks for sharing the EP Carry Video.? A close look at that prop compares with the same material as the Model Airplane Props I am purchasing from APC Propeller for our electric trolling motors.


  • 10 inch diameter
  • 4" Pitch
  • "Pusher"
  • Left Hand Pitch.
Make sure the prop pitch matches the rotation of your particular electric motor.
  • When using the stock Minn-Kota prop 3.5 mph costs me 40 amps at 12.8 volts.
  • When using the 10x4P-LH prop I get 5.1 mph at 31 amps
I am pushing a 17' Alumacraft CO-17 Square Stern Canoe with a battery/solar panel/pilot 350 Pound payload.


The props are consumable, meaning if you drag them across a gravel bar or hit a snag with them, most likely you will nick/warp/chip the prop.? But at $3.95 + shipping each, you can keep a tackle box full of them with you.? It takes me 4 minutes to swap a prop.

Thanks,

Ken







On Fri, Jan 24, 2020 at 4:40 PM John Kohnen <jkohnen@...> wrote:
The early Electric Paddle outboards used model airplane propellers, and
the current models use props very like those on model airplanes:



Company founder Joe Grez did the entire 2019 Salish 100 using nothing
but solar power:





The trouble with putting better props on trolling motors is that the
submerged motor blocks a big part of the center of the prop...

A friend of mine got a couple of these plastic emergency props to try on
his twin 80 lb. thrust trolling motor drive, but the clearance under his
boat is so small he'll have to trim the diameter quite a bit:



I think Merc has discontinues these...


On 1/24/2020 6:13 AM, Myles T wrote:
> I¡¯d recommend looking at what has been done for propeller-driven
> pedal-power drives.? Model airplane style propellers have been used
> effectively for these to drive kayaks at around 10kts.
?> ...

--
John <jkohnen@...>
Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark
upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour. (John Boswell)
 

The marine robotics group where I work use model aeroplane props on their robot sub. Mostly because they are cheap and readily available. Commercial ROV props are quite expensive and while more efficient as they are designed especially for the job, the extra efficiency wasn't worth the extra cost.

They just borrowed props off the aerial robotics guys till they found one that worked well :-)
 

John - I second the feedback EP Carry video.? The emergency props are interesting, but the 19" pitch is very high.

Ken - Great info on the plane props.? I actually ordered the Master Screw 15x7 3 blade pusher propeller a couple of days ago.? Do you have any details or advice on how to mount the propeller?? I plan to turn an aluminum backplate that accepts the drive pin through the shaft, but I am not certain of how to best get adequate friction between the backplate and propeller.? I bought the larger diameter prop with the intent to reduce the diameter to match the motor capability and to also have a slightly heavier blade cross-section.? Perhaps it will be less of a consumable item, but then again I am sure it will still be vulnerable...
 

Lots of great info has been shared already. Thanks!

I've been using APC 11x6 tractor props with Haswing trolling motors. I found I could disassemble the motor handle and mount it facing the other direction, so the prop faces forward. Then, I'm running the (brushed) motor as intended. Or, if brushless, I still can use the finer speed control provided in the forward direction. I also mounted a nose cone around the prop to reduce drag.
 

Kieth,? you have the right idea. I started going down that path and would have liked a slow spinning direct drive. For sake of time and money, I just gutted the Honda which wasn't running anyway. Another not so apparent benefit of an underwater direct drive unit is the lack of any sound. The Golden motor 3 KW BLDC I used is a noisy little bugger.? My use case is also different, I generally only use my dinghy to get to my mooring and back.?


Here's a few random specs

-Honda 2.3BF donor?
-Golden motor 3kw water cooled
- 52 volt 1.5 kwh (usable) Lifep04?
-4600 RPM no load at motor, 1,865 prop RPM (2.42:1) reduction
-original prop hand bent for increased pitch (higher top end)?

- 11 mile range at 3 knots?
- 5.5 mile range? 4 knots??

I have only tested this setup on my west marine RU 250 roll up dinghy which is probably the least efficient hull out there.? ?



Matt Foley?
Sunlight Conversions
Perpetual Energy, LLC
201-914-0466




On Saturday, January 25, 2020, 10:09:02 AM EST, cpcanoesailor via Groups.Io <cpcanoesailor@...> wrote:


Lots of great info has been shared already. Thanks!

I've been using APC 11x6 tractor props with Haswing trolling motors. I found I could disassemble the motor handle and mount it facing the other direction, so the prop faces forward. Then, I'm running the (brushed) motor as intended. Or, if brushless, I still can use the finer speed control provided in the forward direction. I also mounted a nose cone around the prop to reduce drag.
 

Nice, thanks for the info on your retrofit.? There is just not a lot of options for the big slow propeller.? The lower half of an outboard can be purchased very cheaply for some of the Chinese outboard brands, but again the cavitation plate is in the way.? I also investigated various right-angle gearboxes, such as the Andantex R3200, but they are not cheap or optimal.
Dan
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

i was going to use a later 60 hp chrysler lower unit bigger prop no tru prop ex? parts from early force same .lots of them around? and cheap.?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Keith M <kmerranko@...>
Sent: February 2, 2020 9:50 AM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [electricboats] Trolling Motor Propellers (was: propulsion Navy 3.0 Propeller Dimensions)
?
Nice, thanks for the info on your retrofit.? There is just not a lot of options for the big slow propeller.? The lower half of an outboard can be purchased very cheaply for some of the Chinese outboard brands, but again the cavitation plate is in the way.? I also investigated various right-angle gearboxes, such as the Andantex R3200, but they are not cheap or optimal.

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