Special price on Torqeedo electric motors

baz · Mar 31, 2010

My requirement is to have a motor for my Portland Pudgy dinghy/tender and as such is not a requirement for pushing my R-25 along. So right now I'm concentrating on the older model 801L and the newer model 503L. The 1003L is simply a pricing issue and quite possibly an over-kill for my requirements. At this point the Defender.com site lists these model at

$1437 for the 801L
$1513 for the 503L
$1796 for the 1003L

The 503L is currently my sweet spot for a number of reasons as it's just $76 more than the 801L, packs more advanced and useful features and will be more than capable to service my Portland Pudgy dinghy, but lacks the foldability of the 801L.

The PP weighs about 130 lbs, 7'-8" long and some 4'-4" wide and 5" draft. It's approved capacity is around 560 lbs (motor, passengers and gear).

The 1003L is some $359 more than the 801L and some $283 more than the 503L. I think the 1003L for me is an overkill but does offer superior features to the 503L and the 801L and gives me pause as I try deciding between all three models.

I did contact Defender to see if they would grant me their Spring 4-day sale prices that ended this past Sunday -- but they indicated they could not on the basis the distributor gave them discounts only on orders placed during the 4-day sale period. Bummer. 🙁

KTP · Apr 1, 2010

Here is a link to a french video I just found that shows a 1003 setup and running on a small boat probably similar to your portaboat. A couple of key points:

Did you notice in the setup at the start that it looks like the tiller arm module can be taken off separately...sweet!

The part where he dunks the battery and electronics underwater and then immediatly hooks them back up and motors off...

Pretty decent looking wake and speed.

I haven't been this excited about a motor in awhile 🙂

http://www.horsbord-electrique.com/inde ... avel-1003/

baz · Apr 1, 2010

Rick: That was impressive to say the least -- and pushed me to make final decision. I only wish I could read and understand French. 🙂 I was impressed with the noise level of the motor when in operation. I've just ordered the 1003L from Defender, so now I'm excited as you are. 😉

...and yes, the video confirmed my suspicion that the tiller arm can be removed and that helped me with my decision for the newer model as the ability to stow the new Torqueedo model (503L or 1003L) in my R-25's cockpit locker was troubling me.

The water immersion trick was amusing and makes a strong selling point for the Torqeedo motor product.

Interestingly enough the Defender's S&H for the 503L was $182.05 yet for the 1003L it was only $70.35. It makes no sense to me and it was confirmed by Defender. Defender did not understand the S&H difference between the 503L and 1003L either. That's a $112 difference in S&H between these two models and I would have expected the 1003L to have a higher S&H cost. Maybe the packing box for the 1003L is smaller than for the 503L !!!!

Defender told me they had 6 1003Ls arriving Apr 15th and that they had orders for 4 of them. My order makes #5 so Defender said for sure my order would be shipped Apr 15/16 and take 5-6 business days to arrive.

I did enquire about having the 1003L shipped directly to my Marina in Edmonds but found that would only save approx $2, so waived that option.

I spoke with a lady named Tina (ext 137) who was extremely polite and friendly.

They will charge my CC at the time they ship and in the meantime they simply get pre-authorization from the CC company for the purchase cost.

KTP · Apr 1, 2010

Oh, you can run the website through the google translator and get a pretty good english version. Here, I just did it for you:

http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... el-1003%2F

While I wait on mine, I am building a little conversion device to bump 12V up to 24 volts so I can charge the 1003 battery from my sailboat's deep cycle battery or even my onboard 100 watt solar panel (which outputs about 15.5 volts under load). The spec sheet for the 1003 says it needs 24 to 60 volts at the charging input at up to 4 amps max, so the standard 12 volts from a battery or 15 volts from a solar panel will not cut it. I found some Vicor DC-DC converter modules on ebay (2 for $25) that will bump 10 to 20V up to 24V at 50 watts. I may use both in parallel to provice 24V at 4 amps, or just trickle charge it with one. I guess for those of you with 24V of onboard batteries this would not be an issue. The little Vicor modules are realy efficient though. I measured 12V at 4.3 amps input and was getting 24V at 2 amps output...a loss of a little under 4 watts. I think there are still some available if you like to tinker with this sort of thing...the output is adjustable with a resistor from -50% to +110% of 24V.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VICOR-DC-DC-Convert ... 2a05333ae5

baz · Apr 1, 2010

For me charging the battery can be done onboard my R-25 using 110v from any of my three 110v outlets off the 1800watt inverter or at home. I may consider a small solar panel for charging when using it on my PP and away from boat for extended periods.

ac holmes · Apr 1, 2010

I have another tidbit of info regarding the 1003. The tiller comes off and can be replaced by a standard looking remote control handle with cables that plug into the motor. I already have the control handle that I purchased through the North American office in Chicago, as it probably will not be available through distributors until after the motor itself is shipping.
I plan to lock the little devil dead ahead and let the rudder steer the boat. It cost $240 or so.

Best,

Andrew Holmes

baz · Apr 2, 2010

I'm trying to understand if the 1003L comes with a charging connector that allows me to simply plug into a 110v outlet and charge the battery. The docs/manual online I've reviewed say something about the charging connectors must be hooked to an appropriate sized inverter!

Any clues or advice from others? Thanks. 🙂

ac holmes · Apr 2, 2010

It is my understanding that The 1003 comes with one battery and one (110 volt plug in) charger. If you wish to charge a battery from your alternator on the Yanmar, you need an inverter for 12 volts to 110 volts...they are cheap and easy to find.

AC Holmes

KTP · Apr 2, 2010

Ya, it comes with a AC charger that puts out 40V at 2 amps. The reason they sell separate chargers I guess is in case you buy an extra battery and want to charge both at the same time (or if you lose your charger?).

One way of charging it from your boat alternator would be as suggested, boost the 12V up to 120VAC then use the AC charger to bring it back down to 40V at 2 amps. You lose efficiency with each conversion though, which is why I plan on boosting from 12V straight to 40V with a VICOR module. (actually I will probably boost to somewhere between the 24V and 60V input range of the battery module, not neccessarily 40V). Efficiency is only really important for us sailing types who don't depend on a lot of extra fuel.

ac holmes · Apr 2, 2010

I do not understand the details of volts and amps, etc., but I am totally bat **** over the possibility of the new motor because it is rather quiet. I think the motor noise (gas or diesel) scares fish, especially atlantic salmon and lake trout. I recently got my captain's license (called a six pack) from the USCG (it is hard to get now because of 9-11 etc ; it used to be easy), and will try for my 100 ton license soon, as well. I have hooked up with another captain who has 25 years experience on Lake Ontario for big salmon and he is very eager to run my boat (EC21) with electric trolling power on Seneca Lake for salmon and lakers. It is all good and most real fishermen are quite insane afterall. If my wife had any idea what I spend on fishing stuff she would have a serious tantrum, or worse.

Best,

Andrew

baz · Apr 3, 2010

OK so I ordered the 1003L. This has a 28" long shaft vs. 23" short shaft for the 1003S model.

I selected the 1003L as my Portland Pudgy has a transom 26.2" dimension from top to bottom.

Was I correct in ordering the 1003L model ?

ac holmes · Apr 3, 2010

Hi Laxey,

I think you made the right decision, not just because I choose the same motor, but because I think this is the newest technology from Torqeedo and probably the prototype for the future of this already advanced technology.

Regards,

Andrew Holmes

KTP · Apr 4, 2010

I think baz was asking if he was correct in ordering the long shaft vs the short shaft.

I also ordered the long shaft version.

Stella Maris · Apr 4, 2010

With the 26" transom, you would need to the long shaft model.

baz · May 3, 2010

Has anyone received their Torqeedo motor from Defender yet ? My 1003L was to have shipped Apr 15th but so far I've not received any shipping notice! :cry:

[Edit - May 5th, 2010]

Call Defender today and was told they expect delivery May 15th. 🙁 😀

baz · May 15, 2010

My 1003L Torqeedo motor was shipped May 13th and should be in my hot little hands May 20th. I will provide a review of this product later on once I have it installed and used on my Portland Pudgy.

baz · May 17, 2010

baz":1inrm60n said:
My 1003L Torqeedo motor was shipped May 13th and should be in my hot little hands May 20th. I will provide a review of this product later on once I have it installed and used on my Portland Pudgy.

Any words of advice out there related to the first/trial use of my new Torqeedo motor that I'll be installing this coming weekend ?

As with any new spendy product, I want to prove to myself the device is living up to its Press release etc and to ensure it has no infant mortality issues etc -- so a small sea trial will be in the works.

Thanks....

KTP · May 20, 2010

Mine arrives today too!

I have to decide if I am going to take the gas outboard with me also for the first daytrip in case I have issues with the Torqeedo (not expected). The problem is you can easily store the Torqeedo, the gas motor is messy and smelly and can't be put on it's side....I don't have a spot for it in my small sailboat.

KTP · May 20, 2010

Yay my Torqeedo 1003 arrived safely.

Battery was at 13% so I am charging it before testing the unit.

A couple of questions about yours when you get it:

Is the long tapered aluminum extrusion connecting the motor to the upper control section a bit loose on yours? I looked at each end of this extrusion and it seems to have a loosly fitting rubber gasket between the motor/extrusion at the lower end and between the top section/extrusion at the upper end...certainly nothing that would keep out water. The motor seems rigid though in relation to the upper housing so I think there is a solid shaft connecting the two hiding inside the extrusion. I am assuming it is *ok* for water to get in the extrusion.

Does your AC-DC power adapter output 12V like mine? For some reason I thought this battery was going to need 24 to 60 volts at the charging input but the adapter that came with it is clearly marked 12V (and does seem to be charging it, it is already at 17%). This is great news since it means the Torqeedo can take a charge directly from a 12V deep cycle or from a 12V solar panel. I was thinking I would have to bump up the voltage to the 24 to 60V range.

baz · May 20, 2010

KTP: My UPS delivery hasn't arrived yet -- UPS is always late in the day at my house. 🙁

When I do have it in my hot little hands I'll post back...

I wonder if the 13% charge level is purposely set to allow shipping without any fear of hazards such as heat and fire etc...

I'll check the looseness issue and post what I observe/find concerning what you've described.

Yes -- I was under impression the charge level was 12vdc and the included adapter can be connected to 110v outlet.

[Edit]

Mine arrive at 3pm today. I set it up in my hallway using the plastic box the propeller was housed in to hold it ion the vertical position -- very handy. 🙂

I connect tiller and battery and my battery charge level was also at 13%. I immediately connected the charger at 3:16pm and will observe just how long it takes to get up to 100%. 😉

I'm not sure about the looseness issue you described. Can you elaborate for me so I can check my Toorqeedo assembly ?

On the face of it the motor looks well constructed in typical German style. 😉