electric motors
ByMathew FUpdated On:
Embarking on a quest for an electric outboard can be daunting, yet here you are, weighing up ePropulsion vs Torqeedo.
Today I’m looking at a duel between the E-Propulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus and the Torqeedo Travel 1103C, both flexing an equivalent muscle of 3 HP.
Kilowatts to horsepoweris an important aspect to know when talking about electric propulsion. Three ponies is equal to about 2.2 kW.
3 HP = 2.2 kW
Venturing deeper, I unpack the cost-effectiveness and performance intricacies, including power specifications and battery capacities that unmask each outboard’s value.
The focus is not only on the motors themselves but on the subtleties from usage in the real world.
Specifications Comparison
| Spirit 1.0 Plus | $2001.99 | 1 kilowatt | 48 volts |
| Travel 1103C | $2699.00 | 1.1 kilowatts | 29.6 volts |
| Spirit 1.0 Plus | 1276 watt-hours (40% more) | Floating battery | 75 minutes (50% more) – full throttle | 6 mph |
| Travel 1103C | 915 watt-hours | – | 50 minutes – – full throttle | 5.9 mph |
| Spirit 1.0 Plus | charging time: 8.5 hours | 180 watts Solar charging |
| Travel 1103C | charging time: 10.5 hours | 50 watts Solar charging |
| Spirit 1.0 Plus | shows battery in block format, real-time power, voltage, and run time in minutes | power connectors are stainless steel with PVD treatment |
| Travel 1103C | displays information in real-time, including power, range, and speed | connectors are plastic |
User Interface and Display
Travel 1103C Display Features
- Battery Indicator: Provides real-time battery level monitoring.
- Power Output: Shows the current power usage in watts.
- Range Indicator: Projects remaining operational distance.
- Speedometer: Offers real-time speed feedback.
Spirit 1.0 Plus Display Features
- Battery Indicator: Displays your battery level in a block format.
- Power Consumption: Real-time power usage displayed in watts.
- Voltage Display: Presents the current operating voltage.
- Estimated Runtime: Informs you of the remaining run time in minutes.
- Both motors are brushless, maintenance-free, and very quiet.
- The Spirit can run an external battery for extended runtime (increase the total full-throttle runtime to over four hours).
- Installation of both outboards is straightforward.
- The Torqeedo has a separate tiller handle and requires a pin to secure the battery.
- The Spirit has an integrated tiller (no pin needed), and quicker battery cable connection.
- Both feature magnetic kill switches.
Comparing Additional Features
The ePropulsion direct drive range of outboard motors was launched in 2014 and has gradually been refined in the 7 years in the interim. Torqeedo only installed direct drive technology in 2019.
ePropulsion’s direct drive system is more compact than the Torqeedo (14% narrower), resulting in a lower drag coefficient in the water.
| Torqeedo Travel 1103C | EPropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus | |
| Recommended Retail Price | $2,948.00 | $1,450.00 |
| Horsepower | 3 hp | 3 hp |
| Battery time to empty at full throttle | 50 minutes | 75 minutes |
| Tiller | Detachable | Integrated and Foldable |
| Tiller Angle | 70 degrees | 48 degrees |
| Battery Capacity | 0.915KW/h | 1.276kW/h |
| Does the battery float if dropped overboard? | No | Yes |
| Supports external battery | No | Yes |
| Weight | 38.1 lbs (17.3 kg) | 42.5 lbs (19.3 kg) |
| Size (length and diameter) of the outboard motor lower unit | Length: 12.7 Inches (323 mm)Diameter: 4.9 Inches (124 mm) | Length: 10 inches (254 mm)Diameter: 4.3Inches (108 mm) |
| Solar Charging Power | 50W | 180W |
| Cost of Solar Charger | $749 | $99 |
| Time to charge on AC | 10 ½ hours | 8 ½ hours |
| Noise level | Nosier than Spirit 1.0 Plus | The quietest motor of the two |
| GPS Features | Yes | No |
| Smart Phone App | Yes | No |
| Power cable connector | Plastic | Stainless Steel |
Durability
Another way to influence gas-powered outboard motor owners to switch to electric motors is to demonstrate buyers’ perceptions of the product’s durability. Three factors affect this.
The Torqeedo utilizes plastic connectors which, during the connection process, can feel fragile and might lead to concerns over potential breakage. You must be cautious and avoid excessive force to prevent damaging the plastic.
The Spirit 1.0 Plus features a stainless steel connector with Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating, enhancing its durability and wear resistance—similar technology is used by Apple in their recent iPhone models.
The ePropulsion electric engine uses more composite aluminum in its construction than Torqeedo.
This is particularly relevant in the outboard motor’s lower unit, where the Spirit is completely made from composite aluminum.
The lower unit on the Torqeedo is made from a combination of hardened plastic and aluminum.
This will affect the motor’s durability, particularly with anglers who fish in shallow waters and risk scraping the lower unit.
The Spirit 1.0 Plus EPropulsion system has fewer moving parts, which bodes well for the durability and longevity of the motor.
WarrantyConditions
| Torqeedo Travel 1103C | ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Length of warranty | Twenty-four months after the date on which the product was delivered | Two years from the date of purchase |
| Extended Warranty Period | No | Additional one year free of charge if purchased in 2022 |
| Is warranty transferable | Warranty is transferable | The warranty is not transferable |
| Warranty on commercial operations | No | No |
Removal And Reinstallation
There are several factors to consider in this regard.
At 38.1 lbs. (17.3 kg), the Torqeedo Travel 1103C is 4.4 lbs. lighter than the EPropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus, which has a total weight of a hefty 42.5 lbs. (19.3 kg.)
One of the benefits of small electric outboard motors is that they are easy to remove from the boat and can be packed away. They have no messy gas tanks with dangling pipes, which must be transported.
While the EPropulsion motors and the equivalent Torqeedo units have foldable tillers, the EPropulsion units only fold to a 38-degree angle. The tiller on Torqeedo motors is also removable making them easier to store.
When reinstalling the motors, the ePropulsion only requires three steps.
- Attach the electric outboard to the transom.
- Unfold the hand tiller.
- Clip on the battery.
The Torqeedo system requires two additional steps.
- Attach the electric outboard to the transom.
- Reattach the hand tiller to the motor.
- Plug in the tiller communication cable to the motor.
- Clip on the battery.
- Secure the battery with a lock pin.
The Winner of ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus vs Torqeedo Travel 1103C
The winner in almost all categories is the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus. This is the recommended option if you are looking for a low-cost unit to power a small tender or fishing boat.
If the intended use requires a higher-powered engine, the Torqeedo range makes a compelling choice.
