Vlog 332: Charging Ahead
An event named “Electrika” was held on 3rd and 4th May 2024, for people to get together and discuss electric propulsion on canal boats and narrowboats.
The event comprised a mixture of boat owners chatting amongst themselves about their experiences of electric boating with many hints and tips being exchanged, along with stalls from manufacturers plus talks on a variety of subjects.
Topics included the variety of electric motors now available for marine use, different drive configurations (belt / direct etc), power outputs, propeller sizes, battery banks, charging methodologies, and battery technologies (lead carbon vs lithium iron phosphate and so on).
It’s hoped the event might become an annual gathering though this depends on the reaction of the visitors and exhibitors.
More info at https://electrika.uk/
*of their house I mean (if they had one instead of a boat…or as well!)
A lot of that technical jargon went over my head lol but it was really neat to see how their electrical power is configured. As always, it’s lovely to be invited into people’s boats/homes to see how things are arranged. Some great ideas! Wouldn’t that canal wall map look equally splendid in a canal enthusiasts bathroom?! ;-)
Yes, absolutely! I must try to get one.
Very interesting David. But I believe that electric narrow boats will only be affordable to the ‘better off’. And a diesel generator is still needed to boost the batteries. While I support any system that uses clean energy I’m not really convinced that, in this instance, we will see a time when only electric is seen on the waters, unless of course diesel narrow boats are forced off.
One point here though. Narrow boats going all electric, cars and other means of transport going all electric. What means is going to be used to generate this vast amount of electricity to keep them all running? Nuclear, coal or oil power stations? Surely that goes against what climate change protesters are after? Going completely ‘green’ isn’t really achievable. in my opinion. Yes, we could have acre upon acre upon acre of solar panels throughout our once green and pleasent country side – nice! Or thoiusands of wind turbines ‘humming’ happily away. Time will tell.