Fischer Panda UK supplies Bellmarine electric drive system for new Elton Moss widebeam barge

Fischer Panda UK has supplied a Bellmarine electric drive system for Elton Moss Boatbuilders’ new 70ft x 12ft Kingsley boat for silent and emission free cruising.

The customised widebeam barge, which is installed with a complete power and propulsion system from Fischer Panda, will be available to view for the first time at this year’s Crick Boat Show.

Showcasing several special features, the Elton Moss vessel has a reverse layout, with master bedroom at the front of the boat, the galley towards the rear and the outside seating above the rear cabin, accessible from steps alongside the automatically collapsing wheelhouse.

The electric propulsion solution of a Bellmarine DriveMaster Ultimate 20kW system supported by a Fischer Panda PMS AGT 13000 48v DC generator is one of the outstanding aspects of the new barge, reflecting the increasing interest in alternatives to traditional petrol or diesel drive systems. The system is similar to the recent Fischer Panda installation onboard Elton Moss’s eco-boat Tulak.

Chris Fower, of Fischer Panda UK, said: “After collaborating with Elton Moss previously on another electric drive installation, we were really pleased to supply the system for their new barge and look forward to working with them to introduce more electric powered vessels on our waters in the future. These silent, environmentally friendly hybrid systems allow extremely low-cost cruising and are service free. They are now incredibly reliable and efficient following recent advances in technology, with prices becoming very competitive as demand increases.”

Electric power can provide all the power and manoeuvrability needed for cruising, with batteries charged through the on-board charger when connected to shore power. The Fischer Panda electric
propulsion systems dramatically reduce annual maintenance costs over standard petrol or diesel engines, with fuel costs plummeting.

The new liquid-cooled range of DriveMaster Ultimate systems allows for exact temperature management and improved efficiency. Developed to cope with the harsh maritime environment, all models include motor with integrated thrust bearing, mounting frames and smart controller for compact installations, less noise and vibrations and higher efficiency.

The Bellmarine system onboard the Elton Moss boat is supported by the compact Fischer Panda AGT DC generator. This range of battery-charging diesel generators work perfectly in conjunction with the fast-growing electric propulsion drives popular for canal and river boats, dramatically extending their cruising range.

Extremely efficient and exceptionally quiet running, the generators are ideal for inland waterway craft when the main focus is keeping the batteries well charged in the most efficient method possible. The charge output from the generator is directly controlled by the engine speed, leading to exceptionally high efficiency. Auto start is built-in as standard which enables the battery condition to control when, and for how long, the generator runs, ensuring the engine is always correctly loaded.

Fischer Panda UK is now the exclusive UK distributor for Bellmarine electric drive systems, designed in the Netherlands specifically for the marine market. The UK’s leading supplier of electric drive systems for a wide variety of vessels from ferries to sailboats to canal boats, Fischer Panda UK added the Bellmarine DriveMaster and SailMaster systems and accessories to its highly respected range of Fischer Panda ‘Easy Box’ Electric Drive Systems.

Fower added: “With our strengthened portfolio of technically advanced systems, we are well placed to meet the specific cruising needs of our customers. We have the capability to develop the right system for virtually any craft from basic low-cost power drives charged via shore power only, through to full Hybrid systems linked to our compact and efficient generators that can quickly recharge the batteries quieter and faster than any other generator of comparable size and weight. We have already fitted systems to sailboats, cruising boats, ferries and narrowboats.”

Fischer Panda UK supplies electric and hybrid drive systems to both commercial and private boat builders and owners for newly built vessels or retro-fitting. It can offer drive systems in the range from 2 kW to 100 kW, available with voltages ranging from 24V to 360V depending on the power requirements.

The electric propulsion systems from Fischer Panda UK will be presented at this year’s Crick Boat Show from 26th to 28th May on Stand WW62-63 and on the Elton Moss barge on Stand F22-24.

Visit www.fischerpanda.co.uk for more information.