Narrowboat Envy | Solar Electric Narrowboat Helius powers up the River Thames. 2

[@SpLiC3]

Great presentation. That is also one of the cleanest narrow boats i have seen design and fiinish wise. Wiring is on point, everything is just so, wonderful.

[@mothership_marine]

Really kind of you to take the time to compliment me and the guys. Cheers Tim

[@simontuffen8243]

Beautiful boat. Thank you for the tour. Just a little tip for the cameraman: point the camera down a bit.

[@mothership_marine]

Thanks Simon - I'll pass on the tip to my trusted assistant😁

[@PhilipPress-l8m]

Top notch work, as always. Having been a systems designer on US Navy ships, I admire your selection and integration of appropriate cutting edge tech into a vessel, while paying attention to the art and beauty of the design. Congratulations on another success.

[@mothership_marine]

That’s my favourite comment ever. You really do get what I’m trying to do. Thanks so much. Tim

[@keithmeadowcroft1331]

What an excellent presentation

[@mothership_marine]

Thank you kindly Keith!

[@SLOWLYdoesit1]

Fantastic specifications and excellent detailing on this boat. I found your previous argument about the electric torque combined with a large prop being most efficient really interesting and is clearly being proven correct. I will be commissioning a boat in the next couple of years and will want air conditioning on board- I saw the 2 vents here and wondered if that was part of a MHRV system? There looks to be space enough to fit a MHRVAC system (which I have put in my last 2 homes). I wonder if it could be connected to a Kensa Shoebox water source heat pump?

[@mothership_marine]

Hi there - thanks for your kind comments. The 2 high vents are the high level vents we need to have from a regulatory point of view. Regards your boat. Anything is possible. Cheers Tim

[@jameswatters9592]

Beautiful boat

[@mothership_marine]

Thank you very much!

[@flibbertigibbet6324]

I also have some specific technical questions. 1 - Given that hybrid narrowboats often have a primary voltage circuit of 48v, when total amp hour lithium capacity is quoted is this at 48 volts or is capacity normalized to 12v to produce a comparable cross industry number? 2 - Does Helius have two black water holding tanks to avoid a long pipe to the aft tank? 3 - Do you foresee received wisdom on electric motor KW power sizing changing as the narrowboat industry gains more field experience with serial hybrids? Your previous video showed your Mothership engine producing nearly a 1/4 ton pulling force at 10KW. Anything more seems excessive unless a hydrofoil equipped planning narrowboat will be your Crick 2025 exhibit.

[@mothership_marine]

Answer below - 1) at 48V 2) 1 tank at the back but we hard pipe in ABS plastic and put the pipe in before we foam 3) I agree with you about the motor - you don't need the power for running but it's essential for manovering and feeling good about you boat. I'm not intending to do Crick - it cost me £15,000 all in all last time. I will concerntate on this sort of thing - do you have a project in mind?

[@flibbertigibbet6324]

@@mothership_marine Thank you for responding. I have a project in mind but at present not the bank balance to begin that project. Maybe in two years... Until then I will firm up my plan for that future project. At this point I believe Mothership has the definitive implementation of a narrowboat hybrid powertrain. I will be following your newly announced vlog series about the conversion of an older narrowboat to hybrid power.

[@flibbertigibbet6324]

It is good to see more narrowboat builders exploring the option of a full-width bed right up forward. Is the split bed lift-up mechanism required to meet emergency egress regulations in the RCD (if any are specified)? I can see a tend in narrowboat design in future years with the welldeck function switching to a mini GenSet engine room, thus the argument for a full sized bed right forward becomes more persuasive.

[@mothership_marine]

No emergency requirement, just easy of access forward. You might be right about the well deck but equally I'd like to see gernrators gone, but I can't see it for a while - Tim

[@johnmurray9833]

Love it

[@mothership_marine]

Thanks John

[@paulbauswellsr3296]

Excellent tour, lovely boat. How much travel can you get on a full charge or half charge? And if the weather turns off gray for a few days with rain, and you are not near anyplace to get shore power, what then? I love the concept, but what are the contendgucies?

[@mothership_marine]

Hi Paul - It depends on how fast you go and how much sun is around. Normal boat speed takes 1kW and the sun can produce that. Helius has 38kWh in her battery. I have a feeling you didn't pick that there was a large marine generator on board. However on our boats generators tend to be the most expense and least used item on board. Cheers Tim

[@paulbauswellsr3296]

@@mothership_marine no I am sorry I didn't see the generator. I am 66yrs old and I see the world trying to get away from fossil fuel. Any time I see something new, like your boat, I find myself submerged in questions. Solar is a great alternative and I was just looking for a better understanding. Thank you for your response.

[@mothership_marine]

@@paulbauswellsr3296 You're welcome

[@namelm]

What kWh are the solar panels? What size batteries? You kindly showed me this one at Electrika. Very nice.

[@mothership_marine]

1.8 kW batteries, 38.4kWh batteries - cheers Tim

[@waynegardella2589]

At normal speed how many hours will the batteries last? And using the GenSet how many hours to recharge them?

[@mothership_marine]

Hi Wayne. A loaded question. Much depends on the sun. Normal speed uses about 1kw an hour. You can easily get that from the sun on a sunny day. The batteries have 32kwh of usable power so that’s 32 hrs. The generator will charge a 6kw so that’s 4 hours too recharge. With the generator on you also get hot water. Cheers Tim

[@kencast4478]

My my, this is a beautiful boat but boy the owner can talk your legs off!!

[@mothership_marine]

It's not the owner, its the boat builder and he's proud! Thanks for the kind comments

[@Remote-Key-Repair]

I'd like to buy one of these however I'd need a LOT of power would it be possible to be solar panels on the sides too? Due to it being on the sides I think protective slides covering them would be a good idea... Would you entertain the idea of sorting that out if I was to buy one?

[@mothership_marine]

I’ve thought about putting solar on the sides. In fact in polar latitudes they point the panels at the ice because it reflects light so well. Same for water. The issue is making it look nice. All of our solar panels are custom made. We would design something for the sides. It will be expensive.

[@Remote-Key-Repair]

@@mothership_marine I have had a thought about it and I don't think I'd need as much power as I thought... My soldering equipment auto turns off and would maybe use 1200w at max power however am usually below 50% of that... With all the equipment computers, screens and printers and so on I'd want to have 2500w - 3000w so I know I can safely run my gear and use electric ovens etc? Do you refurbish narrowboats or is it new only?

[@mothership_marine]

That level of power is fine - but you'll struggle in the winter. You'll need another electric supply, genny or shore charge. Yes we do do conversion. Please call if you'd like a chat. It's not cheep though. 07496 574434 Tim

[@Remote-Key-Repair]

@@mothership_marine 57ft by 10ft wide... roof and sides full of solar panels what would be the out put on a avg winters day? I think a genny would be a good idea for backup if it's horrific weather I agree... What would a full refit cost for 57ft by 10ft with quality insides? I've got some saving up to do hopefully buy before winter don't want to take up too much time on calls deal with that myself customers calling for info and not buying lol

[@mothership_marine]

I really need do more detail - would you like to call me. 07496 574434

[@trofamify]

Great boat but nothing about price

[@mothership_marine]

Sorry but we can’t put prices on KZbin. Please call if you are interested. Tim