Part 2: Integrating all components into Magayon II
After successful designing, constructing and testing of the prototype electric motor for Magayon II, the next step was to integrate all electric drive components into Magayon II. Specs for this were as follows:
- Motor easily detachable
- Batteries protected from seawater
- Joystick should be storable so that it is not in the way when sailing
- Emmergency cut off switch in the cockpit
- Each battery has it’s own ON/OFF switch
- Charger built into the boat and connected to land connection. On/OFF switch.
- For charging can select individual batteries or both together. Protection with Schottky diodes.
The batteries
Initially I planned to make two boxes for the batteries to be located in the cockpit where the gasoline tanks are right now. I spent some time to think about how to make the boxes waterproof and prevent sea and rainwater entering them. One of the boxes would also accommodate the joystick and the emergency cut of switch. The downside of this idea was that it would have required intensive construction work of the two boxes, and it was not clear whether a solution for a tropical downpour could be found for the protection of the batteries. So then I decided to place the batteries in the cabins, under the center bed area, in a space that was underutilized in the past.
Made two battery floor boards, sealed them with epoxy and protected the upper side on which the battery would sit with a fiberglass layers. Glued the two battery floor boards in place with marine epoxy.
The Joystick Box
The Motor
The electrical bits of the motor are already done. I just disassembled and cleaned the bracket that connects the motor to the boat. I had to order some spare parts for it since heavy corrosion happened at some of the parts.