Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, e.g. solar energy, wind energy and onshore power supply. This requires the use of their related inverters and charge regulators.
Mechanical output data = shaft power. (This is the output actually available for the drive system).
No, one battery bank is sufficient for two drive chains.
Yes, nearly every combination is possible.
In compliance with the installation regulations at any place in the boat. However, cable lengths and cross sections must be designed by Fischer Panda in advance.
Yes. As we would have to custom-build, this would require a surcharge.
Yes, it is easy to vertically mount the shaft motor on the Saildrive. However, the great power development of the electric motor must be taken into consideration and, should the occasion arise, the Sail drive or the mounting of the Sail drive has to be reinforced in a suitable manner. In case that the load changes rapidly the high torque of the electric motor may lead to a damage to the Sail drive if this has not been designed in a stable manner. Moreover, the Sail drive is quite loud so that it is not possible to enjoy silent cruising with the electric drive. Therefore, Fischer Panda does not advise skippers to use a Sail drive in combination with our motors. Please contact us if you have any further questions.
Yes, this is possible. However, this reduces the continuous output of the drive to the output of the generator. Nevertheless, it is possible to make use of the full performance temporarily. In this case the energy difference between the system and the generator will be taken from the batteries.
Not exactly. You can continue to use your AC generator for the onboard power supply (230 V / 400 V). Additionally, you can use your 230 V AC generator as power supply for the charging devices which charge the battery bank of the drive.
Surely the drive shaft. It is possible that the existing propeller, batteries or the control can be used.
“Hybrid” of Fischer Panda products is a combination of an electric drive motor and a diesel generator. The electric motor is supplied by a battery bank and the generator (DC) charges the battery bank. If the output of the generator is optimally adapted to the output of the motor a continuous operation at maximum performance is possible.
Rule of thumb:
1 kW per ton of displacement is sufficient for inland waters without current.
2.5 kW per ton of displacement should be installed if the boat is driven on waters with current or in the open sea.
Yes, on request we can supply the whole package including batteries, charging devices and propellers. Fischer Panda works out the best-suited propeller individually depending on the respective boat and application. The costs are borne by Fischer Panda.
Fischer Panda offers a complete system including the generator. You will only require one contact for the installation and the service and we will assist you with
all questions that may occur. Fischer Panda can look back on 35 years of experience building generators. Fischer Panda has got more than 20 years of experience in manufacturing electric drive systems. Our latest drives are the 4th generation of Fischer Panda electric drives which stands out thanks to its advanced technology.
For commercial operation 1 year, for private use 2 years
Yes, our shaft motors can be installed parallelly to the main drive, too. This requires various measures. Fischer Panda will be pleased to assist you if you would like to install a parallel hybrid drive.
In case of a “serial hybrid drive” the diesel generator supplies the electric motor directly. The electric motor is the main propulsion of the boat. In case of a “parallel hybrid drive” the electric motor is parallel switched to the drive shaft of the diesel drive engine. This means that the electric motor “works” as a generator when the boat is running with its diesel engine. When the diesel engine is turned off the vessel can be driven with the electric motor only. As, generally, the output of the diesel engine and the output of the electric motor are very different it is important to choose a suitable reduction and clutch. Please contact us. We will be glad to assist you.
- Currently (April 2020): 3.8 kW up to 20 kW (48V DC safety extra-low voltage)
- 20 kW up to 100 kW (100V / 360V / 400 V DC high-voltage)
- Special motors (e.g. motors for submarines, motors for special vessels)
- Shaft motors (for a direct installation at an existing propeller shaft)
- POD Motors (“Aziprops”) for an installation under the hull. It is possible to mount them either fixed or turnable (please see drawing)
In case of a system running on batteries only the components 1 – 6 are required.
The main components are:
1. Electric drive motor (shaft, POD or parallel drive)
2. Easy Box (motor controller, fuses, power supply for cooling etc.)
3. Battery bank (up to 20 kW: 48V DC system, >20kW – 100 kW: 360 / 400 V DC
4. Control unit including display (monitoring, setting and control of all functions)
5. Throttle (single or double, depending on number of drive motors)
6. Optional: battery charger
7. Optional: generator to charge the batteries and to supply onboard power
A direct comparison is not possible. Because of the double benefit of the hybrid drive system (drive and onboard power supply) only one standard diesel drive plus onboard power supply via the generator should be compared with the cost for a hybrid drive system. Furthermore, the installation cost for the drives (much lower than for an electric drive) should be taken into consideration.
Yes, this is possible via an additional inverter. E.g. the VICTRON Quattro multi-functional inverter: battery charging, 230 V onboard power and onshore charging in one device. The Quattro can accept two AC inputs and automatically connect to the active source (e.g. generator, onshore power).
There is no weight advantage as the weight saving due to the light electric drive is generally offset by the weight of the batteries required.
The installation of the system should be carried out by specialized electricians or an authorized Fischer Panda dealer / technician. A faulty installation may lead to errors in the system which then may lead to safety issues. Fischer Panda can support the person carrying out the installation by means of detailed installation instructions or, should the occasion arise, by a technician. A high-voltage system MUST be installed by a trained electrician or a specialized company.
An “exhaust gas/water separator” avoids that cooling water drips from the exhaust. This means that the generator can also be used in harbors without disturbing your neighbors.
GRP (glass reinforced plastic capsule) and MPL (stainless steel capsule). There are three different insulation reinforcements to choose from.
Fischer Panda cooperates with different engineers who are specialized in working out the correct propellers. Based on all boat’s and drive data the optimum propeller is chosen for the configuration and the boat. Fischer Panda takes over these costs (when an electric drive system is purchased).
No, we urgently advise you not to. Consumers such as capstan, bow thruster or stern thruster that require very high currents for a short period of time should have their own battery bank and charging electronics.
The DC/DC inverter supplies max. 50 A which can be used to charge the starter batteries or for the power supply onboard (light, navigation electronics etc.).
Yes, via a DC/DC inverter (integrated in the system).
As high discharge currents negatively affect the battery life the maximum discharge power of our systems should not exceed approx. 250 A (in case of 20 kW Systems 400 A). Therefore, the more powerful drive systems (> 20 kW … 80 kW) are operated between 96 V and 360 V DC. From 100 kW 400 V DC are necessary.
e.g. VICTRON Quattro or VICTRON Multiplus combined charger/inverter. The output depends on the requirements of the skipper.
This depends on the generator model and its output. Please ask your Fischer Panda contact partner.
At approx. 5 – 10% of the motor output when the speed of the boat is high enough (> 6 kn).
Yes, an AGT-DC generator with the matching voltage. This is also suited for many lithium batteries types.
We recommend NOT TO USE THESE BATTERIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEM, as the battery bank for the drive system should contain batteries of the same type and age. Of course, you can continue to use your existing service and starter batteries for your onboard power supply.
It is possible to use each traction battery. In case of lithium batteries, we recommend batteries that do not require ACTIVE cooling (lithium-iron Phosphate LiFePO4 batteries of the brand SUPER-B). In case of lead-based batteries AGM batteries are very well-suited, e.g. of the brand HOPPECKE.
At least 60 Ah as a buffer. Otherwise depending on the requested driving time.
From a technical point of view this is possible but we urgently advise you not to. The battery bank is, at least, required as a buffer to keep peak loads of the
propeller away from the generator. As a mechanical system a generator cannot react as quickly as required. If you do not have a battery bank, this might lead to voltage dips or spikes which may lead to an automatic shutdown of the system.
The systems only require little maintenance. Please see chapter “maintenance intervals” in the manual.
Simple diesel maintenance such as oil change, change of oil filter, control of diesel filter and change when necessary, check of V belt and change when necessary, check of impeller of impeller pump and change if necessary. The necessary maintenance works can be gathered from the manual.
Fischer Panda has worldwide service stations in more than 80 countries. Our Global Service Directory (which you can find on our website) contains a list of all stations and their contact details.
You can purchase spare parts at any authorized Fischer Panda dealer or directly at Fischer Panda in Pompano Beach, Florida.