SOLAR POWERED ELECTRIC BOAT

NORAZLAN BIN ISHAK

MAY 2009

i

”I hereby declared that I have read through this report and found that it has comply

the partial fulfillment for awarding the degree of Bachelor of Electrical Engineering

(Control, Instrumentation and Automation)”

Signature : ………………………………………………

Supervisor’s Name : EN. KYAIRUL AZMI BIN BAHARIN

Date : 13 MAY 2009

ii

SOLAR POWERED ELECTRIC BOAT

NORAZLAN BIN ISHAK

This Report Is Submitted In Partial Fulfillment Of Requirements For

The Degree of Bachelor In Electrical Engineering

(Control, Instrumentation and Automation)

Fakulti Kejuruteraan Elektrik

Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka

May 2009

iii

“I hereby declared that this report is a result of my own work except for the excerpts

that have been cited clearly in the references.”

Signature : ………………………………………………..

Student : NORAZLAN BIN ISHAK

Date : 13 MAY 2009

iv

To my beloved

Mother, Hjh Hasmah Binti Jahidin;

Brother, Nordin Bin Ishak

Brother, Norissham Bin Ishak

Sister, Norismaliza Binti Ishak

Sister, Norismawati Binti Ishak

Sister, Norismalaily Binti Ishak

Sister, Norismalina Binti Ishak

Sister, Norismalaila Binti Ishak

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Alhamdulillah, praise to be Allah S.W.T for the guidance and blessing

bestowed upon me, for without it I would not have been able to come this far.

I would like to convey my thousands of appreciation upon University

Teknikal Malaysia Melaka especially to my faculty for giving me the chance to do

my Final Year Project II here. My deepest gratitude to Mr. Kyairul Azmi Bin

Baharin, who was my Supervisor for all the advice an assist toward the progress of

this project, understanding, well guidance and help though out this project. Without

his valuable suggestion and encouragement, this project would not have been

successful. My handful thanks to the staffs, of Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka

(UTeM), for helping me in many ways. Thank you so much for your help and

cooperation during my Final Year Project II period.

A special thank to my beloved family especially my parent who encouraged

me in final year here and gives me lots of inspiration. Thank you so much for your

kind understanding and moral support given during this time being. Hopefully Allah

S.W.T blesses both of you. Not to forget, a warm gratitude to all my friends

especially Fahrulrazi, Khaldon and Amirul for their brilliant ideas and a lot of

encouragement, throughout the duration of this project.

Lastly, my heartfelt appreciation goes to all, who have directly or indirectly

helped me to make this project a success.

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ABSTRACT

This project is about the design and development of a solar boat that is

powered by an electric motor which gets its supply from photovoltaic (PV) panels

and utilizes solar energy. The PV panels must be mounted and installed on the boat

without compromising riding comfortability. This provides a cost-effective way for

leisure or moving around relatively short distances. To design the solar powered

electric boat, the system is using solar panel, rechargeable battery and electric motor.

A solar collector is connected to the rechargeable battery for collecting solar energy

and converting such energy to electrical power that is delivered to the rechargeable

battery for recharging thereof. A rechargeable battery is connected to an electric

motor for providing electrical power to drive the motor. Besides that, this solar boat

is developed to minimize and economize the electricity uses for its electric motor and

maximizes the usefulness of solar energy in our life without wasting it and then

extends the system for commercial market. For the conclusion, the solar powered

electric boat that obtains its supply from photovoltaic panels wills functional using

solar energy.

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ABSTRAK

Projek ini adalah bertujuan untuk menghasilkan dan merekabentuk sebuah

bot yang menggunakan kuasa solar bagi menggerakkan motor elektriknya. Bekalan

kuasa untuk menggerakkan motor elektrik diperolehi daripada photovoltaic (PV)

panel. Pemasangan panel PV pada bot dilakukan ditempat yang sesuai supaya ia

tidak mengganggu keselesaan penumpang bot. Untuk menghasilkan dan

merekabentuk sebuah bot yang menggunakan kuasa solar, ia memerlukan peralatan-

peralatan seperti panel solar, bateri yang boleh dicas dan motor elektrik. Panel solar

memerangkap tenaga cahaya dari matahari dan menukarkan tenaga tersebut kepada

tenaga elektrik seterusnya tenaga tersebut disimpan di dalam bateri. Bateri

disambungkan pada motor elektrik untuk membekalkan tenaga elektrik apabila

diperlukan bagi menggerakkan motor. Bot yang menggunakan kuasa solar ini

dihasilkan bertujuan untuk meminimumkan dan menjimatkan penggunaan tenaga

elektrik bagi menggerakkan motor elektriknya serta memaksimumkan penggunaan

tenaga solar dalam kehidupan harian kita. Ia juga bertujuan untuk memanfaatkan

tenaga solar dan memperkembangkan penggunaannya kepada pasaran yang lebih

meluas. Sebagai kesimpulannya, bot yang menggunakan kuasa solar ini dapat

direalisasikan dengan jayanya.

viii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER TOPIC PAGE

SUPERVISOR’S VERIFICATION i

TITLE ii

CONFESSION iii

DEDICATION iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v

ABSTRACT vi-vii

CONTENTS viii-xi

LIST OF TABLES xii

LIST OF FIGURES xiii-xiv

I INTRODUCTION 1-6

1.1 Solar Powered Electric Boat Definiton 1

1.2 Problem Statement 2

1.3 Project Objectives 3

1.4 Scope of Project 3-5

1.5 Expected Results 5

1.6 Thesis Outline 5-6

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CHAPTER TOPIC PAGE

II LITERATURE REVIEW 7-29

2.1 Introduction 7

2.2 On-Board Sensors 7-8

2.3 IMS Mobile Station 9-10

2.3.1 SIF Main 10

2.3.2 SIF Battery 10-11

2.3.3 SIF Motor 11

2.3.4 SIF Cabin 11

2.3.5 Black Box 11-12

2.3.6 Autopilot 12-13

2.3.7 On-Board Computer and Display 13

2.3.8 CAN-Bus 14

2.4 Design Features 14-17

2.5 Details of the Boat Landing System 17-20

2.6 Theory of Solar Energy 21

2.7 Solar Energy 22

2.8 Sizing the System of Solar Electric Boat 22

2.9 Main Equipments 23-29

2.9.1 Boat 23

2.9.2 Solar Panel 23-25

2.9.3 DC Motor 25-26

2.9.4 Propeller 27

2.9.5 Rechargeable Battery 27-28

2.9.5.1 Battery Ampere/Hour Capacity 28-29

2.10 Summary 29

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CHAPTER TOPIC PAGE

III METHODOLOGY 30-35

3.1 Introduction 30

3.2 Project Methodology 31

3.2.1 Explanation of Project Methodology 32-33

3.3 Project Planning Schedule 33-34

3.4 Summary 35

IV PROJECT DESIGN 36-53

4.1 Introduction 36

4.2 Circuit Design 36-37

4.2.1 Circuit Operation 37

4.3 Specification of Equipments 38-46

4.3.1 Remote Control Boat 38

4.3.2 DC Motor 39

4.3.3 Rechargeable Battery 40

4.3.2.1 Define Size of Battery 40-43

4.3.4 Solar Panel 44

4.3.5 Radio Controller with Antenna 45

4.3.6 Wall Battery Charger 46

4.4 Hardware Design 47-53

4.4.1 Overview of Solar Electric Boat Design 48-49

4.4.2 Overview of Solar Panel Base 50

4.4.3 Overview of Complete Project 51-53

xi

CHAPTER TOPIC PAGE

V ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION 54-68

5.1 Introduction 54

5.2 Project Analysis 54-55

5.3 Analysis of Battery and Speed of Boat 56-68

5.3.1 Analysis for Battery Charge using Battery 56-61

Charger and Charge using Solar Panel

5.3.2 Analysis for Battery Charge using Battery 60-67

Charger (with motor run direct charge

from solar energy) and Charge using Solar

Panel (with motor run direct charge from

solar energy)

5.4 Problem Encountered 68

VI CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION 69

6.1 Conclusion 69

6.2 Suggestion 69

VII REFERENCES 70-75

VIII APPENDICES 76-85

Appendix A: Research Solar Power Boat – Data 77-80

Management and Online Visualization

Appendix B: Technobots.co.uk 81-82

Robotics, Models and Technology

Supplies

Appendix C: The Solarserver 83-85

xii

LIST OF TABLES

NUM TITLE PAGE

2.1 Main Particulars of the Boat 17

2.2 BLS Pipe Section Details 18

2.3 Typical Ah Ratings for Some Common Batteries 29

3.1 Gantt chart of Project Planning 34

5.1 Analysis for Battery Charge using Battery Charger and Charge 56-57

using Solar Panel

5.2 Analysis for Battery Charge using Battery Charger (with 62-63

motor run direct charge from solar energy) and Charge using

Solar Panel (with motor run direct charge from solar energy)

xiii

LIST OF FIGURES

NUM TITLE PAGE

2.1 Block diagram of energy chain and additional Inputs to the IMS 8

2.2 Block diagram of on-board IMS 9

2.3 Battery voltage display 11

2.4 Block diagram of Black Box 12

2.5 Example of on-board computer display 13

2.6 General Arrangement plan of boat 15

2.7 Front and aft view of the boat 16

2.8 General View of a Boat Landing System 19

2.9 Position Details of the Energy Cells and Torque Rings 20

2.10 Solar Energy Illustration 21

2.11 Solar Panel Array 21

2.12 Boat Prototype 23

2.13 Solar Panel 24

2.14 DC Motor 25

2.15 Propeller 27

2.16 Rechargeable Battery 28

3.1 Project Flowchart 31

4.1 Block Diagram of Solar System Connection 37

4.2 Remote Control Boat 38

4.3 DC Motor 39

4.4 Rechargeable Battery 40

4.5 Daily Load Calculator 42

4.6 Solar Array Calculator 42

4.7 Battery Capacity Calculator 43

4.8 Solar Panel 44

4.9 Radio Controller 45

xiv

NUM TITLE PAGE

4.10 Battery Charger 46

4.11 Design of Project Prototype 48

4.12 Dimension of Project Prototype 49

4.13 Rear View of Solar Panel Base 50

4.14 Side View of Solar Panel Base 50

4.15 Side view of Project Prototype 51

4.16 Side view of Project Prototype 51

4.17 Rear View of Project Prototype 52

4.18 Rear View of Project Prototype 52

4.19 Front View of Project Prototype 53

5.1 Graph of Voltage versus Condition of Battery 58

5.2 Graph of Voltage versus Condition of Motor 59

5.3 Graph of Speed versus Running Motor 60

5.4 Graph of Time Period versus Running Motor 61

5.5 Graph of Voltage versus Condition of Battery 64

5.6 Graph of Voltage versus Condition of Motor 65

5.7 Graph of Speed versus Running Motor 66

5.8 Graph of Time Period versus Running Motor 67

1

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Solar Powered Electric Boat Definition

While most boats on the water today are powered by diesel engines, sail power

and gasoline engines, it is perfectly feasible to power boats by electricity too. Electric

boats were very popular from the 1880s until the 1920s, when the internal combustion

engine took dominance. Since the energy crises of the 1970s, interest in this quiet and

potentially renewable marine energy source has been increasing steadily again,

especially as solar cells became available, for the first time making possible motorboats

with an infinite range like sailboats. The first practical solar boat was probably

constructed in 1975 in England.

Solar electric boat is powered by an electric motor which gets its supply from

photovoltaic (PV) panels and utilizes solar energy. The photovoltaic panels mounted and

installed on the boat without compromising riding comfortability. This provides a cost-

effective way for leisure or moving around relatively short distances. To design the solar

powered electric boat, the system is using solar panel, converter, rechargeable battery

and electric motor. Solar electric boat can minimize and economical the electricity uses

for its electric motor. It is also can maximizes the usefulness of solar energy in our life

without wasting it and then extends the system for commercial market.

2

1.2 Problem Statement

This project is designed and developed because there are a lot of problem with

the ordinary boat that use electric power which gets its supply from the generator. For

example, the ordinary boat uses diesel fuel to run the generator of the boat, and then

supply electric power to run the electric motor. The increasing impact of fuel price in the

global market is one of the factors that motivate people now to try and find the use of

new alternative energy to substitute the usefulness of fuel. The solar electric boat is one

of the alternative energy that can possibly solve this problem. This solar electric motor

that is powered by an electric motor which gets its supply from photovoltaic (PV) panels

has economical fuel and electric uses added to its electric motor usefulness. So, to keep

this solar boat more popular and broaden its scope for commercial uses, the quality of

the solar boat must be increased.

As we know, the solar electric boat cannot be use at night because there is no

sunlight to produce energy. However, this problem can be solved by using rechargeable

batteries that can supply current to the electric motor of the solar boat at night. Besides

that, the solar electric boat also has an electric motor to move it’s easily and efficiently

on water. So, the selection of electric motor must be exact and applicable to the solar

electric boat. The aspects that must be stressed to choose an applicable electric motor are

the types of motor either AC motor or DC motor and the horsepower of motor to move

the solar electric boat. A lot of calculation must be done for the electric motor in order to

determine the required horsepower to support the weight, size and burden and then move

the solar boat easily and efficiently. Lastly, we must consider whether the use of either

generator or solar energy is more cost-effective for the boat.

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1.3 Project Objectives

The main objective for this project is to design and develop a solar boat that is

powered by an electric motor which gets its supply from photovoltaic (PV) panels and

partially uses solar energy. Besides that, the objective is to develop a solar powered

electric boat that can minimize and economical the electricity uses for its electric motor

and maximizes the usefulness of solar energy in our life economically and efficiently,

and then extends the system for commercial market. Another objective is to study the

relationship between electric propulsion and solar energy and wiring connection

between solar panel, converter, rechargeable battery and electric motor in developing a

solar boat. The last objective is to study the characteristics of solar energy to produce

alternative renewable energy and make analysis about the appropriate method to use the

solar energy as an alternative source of energy.

1.4 Scope of Project

The scope of this project is to design and develop a solar boat that is powered by

an electric motor which gets its supply from photovoltaic (PV) panels and partially uses

solar energy. This project will focuses on how to design and develop circuit for solar

electric boat and how to choose the suitable motor for this project, which can improve

the speed of boat for more efficient to support the boat weight, size and burden and then

move the solar boat easily on water. The focuses of this project also is to design and

develop the hardware of boat for more safe and applicable to used on water. This solar

boat is proposed for recreation activities used. It is also applicable for one or two person.

Because of the high-cost to develop an actual size of ordinary boat, the size of

the boat will be scale-down to (1: 16). I will use the remote control boat as my main

equipment. The prototype dimensions of the boat is about length (0.81 meter) x width

(0.27 meter) x height (0.19 meter). The unladen weight about 1 kg (2.2 lbs) and the load

4

that can be support is about 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs). Below are the full characteristics and

specifications of the solar powered electric boat project:

Theory Specification

Actual size specification of solar electric boat:

Boat dimensions : 3.66 meter – 4.88 meter (12ft- 16ft)

Unladen weight : 27kg – 59kg (60 lbs – 130 lbs)

Load : 114kg – 273kg (250 lbs - 600 lbs)

Battery weight : 27kg – 55kg (60 lbs– 120 lbs)

Motor type : Trolling motor (outboard/submersible)

Motor horsepower : 373 W - 746 W

Speed : 0.45 m/s – 1.34 m/s

Range : 3 – 4 hours, depending on speed and current/wind

1. Essentially this type of craft is the one and two man powered boat.

2. Small enough to be carried to the water’s edge, but large and strong enough to

support a trolling motor, one 12 volt battery and the picnic hamper.

Calculation Specification

Scale-down size (Actual size : Project size) = (1: 16)

Scale-down size specification of solar electric boat prototype (1: 16):

Boat dimensions : 0.61 meter – 0.81 meter

Unladen weight : 1.7kg – 3.7kg

Load : 7.1kg – 17kg

Battery weight : 1.7kg – 3.4kg

Motor horsepower : 23.3 W – 46.6 W

Speed : 0.45 m/s – 1.34 m/s

Range : (11 minutes – 15 minutes), depending on speed and current/wind

5

Prototype specification of solar electric boat

Boat dimensions : Length (0.81 meter) x Width (0.27 meter) x Height (0.19 meter)

Unladen weight : 2.2 kg (With solar panel and solar panel base)

Load : 0.3 kg

Battery weight : 0.2 kg

Motor type : DC Motor (High speed 540 racing motor with cooling system)

Motor horsepower : 36 W

Speed : 0.56 m/s – 1.11 m/s

Range : (10 -12) minutes, depending on speed and current/wind

1.5 Expected Results

By the end of this project, the expected results that can be obtained are the solar

powered electric boat that is supply from photovoltaic panel will be function by using

solar energy. The wiring connection between solar panel, converter, rechargeable battery

and electric motor are functioning as we need. Then, the electric motor will support the

weight, size and burden of the solar electric boat. Besides that, the rechargeable battery

will supply current at night to the solar boat when there is no sunlight. The photovoltaic

panel is mounted and installed on the boat without compromising riding comfortability.

Lastly, the solar boat has a cost-effective way for leisure or moving around relatively

short distances.

1.6 Thesis Outline

This thesis is divided into 7 chapters. The first chapter is the introduction of the

project, followed by Chapter 2 for literature review. Chapter 3 will covers about the

methodology of project. Chapter 4 will describe about the project design, while Chapter

5 shows the analysis and discussion of project. Chapter 6 will cover the conclusion and

6

suggestion, while Chapter 7 will shows the references of project. Lastly is Chapter 8 that

will cover the appendices.

7

CHAPTER II

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

This chapter will be stressed on the literature review of related system. The main

purpose of this chapter is to analyze, identify and make conclusion based on the

research. A literature review means a collecting related data, analyzed business process,

identify underlying patterns and create the conclusion. Another description of the

literature review is a systematic, explicit and reproducible method to identifying,

evaluating and synthesizing the existing body of completed and recorded work produced

by researcher, scholars and practitioners.

In order to develop a successful project, the current systems are identified. The

system of conventional electric boat, solar system and its connection have been

analyzed. Studies of these systems are significant to develop a valid, reliable and

efficient upgrade project. The Literature Review part acts as a mean to discover which

methodology should be chosen in developing this system.

2.2 On-Board Sensors

In the figure 2.1, all sensor connections to the on-board IMS are shown in

simplified view. The lower part represents the energy chain, starting from the left with

8

the photovoltaic cells (PV-Generator) as energy source. A DC-DC-Converter adjusts the

voltage of the cells, about 450 V, to the voltage of the battery pack, consisting of ten

conventional car batteries. The batteries function as energy storage medium. A special

photovoltaic cell gives reference values for irradiation and cell temperature. Energy user

is the asynchronous 3-phase motor with attached propeller. A DC-AC-Converter

provides the necessary adaptation of the battery voltage to the motor electronics [1].

Figure 2.1 shows a block diagram of energy chain and additional input to the IMS.

Figure 2.1: Block diagram of energy chain and additional Inputs to the IMS [1]

The upper part of Figure shows from the left the GSM antenna which provides

connection to the server at the institute via internet. To prevent misuse by cell phones,

only data transmission is allowed. GPS provides time and date as well as the location of

the boat, from which speed above ground, course and distance to destination is

extracted. Since the speed above ground is not very meaningful for moving water like

e.g. a river or in a condition of wind drift, speed above water is given by a sum log, a

speedometer typical in marine application. Water- and air-temperature sensors complete

the upper part [1].

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2.3 IMS Mobile Station

Figure 2.2 shows the block diagram of the on-board IMS. It consists of Sensor

Interface Modules (SIFs), which function to convert the sensor information into CAN

protocol. Then, it consists of black box, which functions to store the actual data till it is

sent to the main store. Besides that, it consists of auto pilot, which function to provide

the connection to the internet respectively to the main server at the institute. Next, it also

consist an on-board computer which processes the data and provides visual information

via display. Lastly, it consist a CAN-Bus as communication medium within the IMS,

with a protocol adapted to the specific needs [1]. Figure 2.2 shows a block diagram of

on-board IMS.

Figure 2.2: Block diagram of on-board IMS [1]

All SIFs consist of three functions. The first function is to adjust the voltage of

the sensors to the input range of the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of the

microcontroller. Then, the second function is to convert the analog sensor signal into

digital form. Lastly, the function is to send the data to the CAN-Bus with the appropriate

protocol. The SIFs differ only in function one. It would theoretically be possible to use