Fischer Panda GmbH

Fischer Panda's highly efficient podded electric drive is suited for installation as an original equipment for sailing yachts with a saildrive engine bed. Alternatively, an existing diesel saildrive can be replaced by the electric motor. The installation of an electric drive means the yacht owner no longer needs to worry about diesel fumes or diesel or oil in the bilge.

Compared to the traditional saildrive with combustion engine, the complete electric motor of the Fischer Panda podded drive is submerged beneath the vessel. The direct drive eliminate the gearbox and vertical power transmission through the hull. This minimises noise and vibration.

The Fischer Panda podded motor simplifies the installation and offers new possibilities for the interior design. Maintenance is kept at a minimum.

Only the battery bank and motor controller are installed within the hull. Cooling for the motor is achieved using the surrounding water. The electrical connections to the motor controller and the battery bank are routed through the drive’s centre post.

Fischer Panda also offers additional engineering services for custom manufacturing to match the sail drive form to the hull’s adapter plate for customer-specific applications.

Fischer Panda also recommends the installation of a generator for charging the battery banks if shore power is not available or solar/wind are not sufficient for charging. The generator can also enhance the system as a range extender.

https://www.fischerpanda.de/fischer-panda-podded-electric-drive-an-alternative-to-the-traditional-saildrive.htm

One electric motor can be switched on or off depending on the individual power requirements.

To further enhance the redundancy within the system, the motors can be powered via separate battery banks as required. This is of interest for commercial applications.

Each electric drive motor is designed with two separate electric windings, each with its own control and throttle. The motors are connected by a drive belt.

Both motors are water-cooled. They can also be cooled with seawater using a heat exchanger.

The main electrical components and the motor controller are housed within the Fischer Panda “EasyBox” unit which simplifies the installation.

Fischer Panda also recommends to install a generator for charging the battery banks in the event that shore power is not available or solar/wind are not sufficient for charging. The generator can also enhance the system as a range extender.

https://www.fischerpanda.de/new-dual-motor-for-electric-drive-systems-from-fischer-panda.htm

This means that two generators with a constant speed and different size can be connected in parallel.

An electrical cabinet containing a parallel module is available from Fischer Panda to connect the two generators. The power output cables of the generators are connected within. The parallel module controls the synchronization and switching.

The parallel connection is particularly suitable for the connection of the normally larger day generator with the night generator during peak periods. In the evening or at night, when power demands are lower, the smaller night generator can operate on its own. The advantage of the second smaller generator means considerable reduction in operating sound and fuel consumption. This significantly improves comfort onboard.

Installing two generators is interesting for yacht owners who require a redundant power system. This means that they can switch the power supply from one generator to the other without interrupting the system’s power supply during maintenance schedules.

Besides, commercial vessels can benefit from the parallel operation of two generators to form a backup power system. One generator is always available in reserve.

The use of a single smaller generator may also reduce the use of load banks required to prevent light load operation on a larger unit.

The parallel connection might be an interesting option with regard to exhaust emission standards (e.g. on inland waterways or in the USA). It is generally easier to meet such standards by using two generators with a lower output than one generator with a high performance.

For owners who require three generators to be connected in parallel, Fischer Panda recommends their variable speed iSeries generators.