Design and Development of DC Motor Boat

Powered by Solar Panels

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A Research Proposal

Presented to

The Faculty of the College of Technology,

University of Northern Philippines

Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

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In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology

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Adajar, Ejay
Lubera, John Jr.
Solis, Deveen
Tabudlo, Ariel
Trinidad, Randy Jr.
Viernes, Ryan Jay

S.Y. 2021-2022
 Design and Development of DC Motor Boat Powered by Solar Panels

Introduction

Fishing communities in many places around the world are facing significant challenges

due to new policies, environmental concern and high cost of labor and production. Although

technology by itself cannot solve the global fishing crisis, it can be a catalytic element for the

transformation of fisheries practices and policies. Under a sustainable approach — where we

satisfy the needs of the present without compromising the resources of future generations —

technological innovations offer an opportunity to improve fisheries management practices and

seafood business, while empowering fishers and providing more information to consumers so

that they can make more responsible seafood choices. (Ortiz, 2019)

For instance, Alaska’s cod fishery is an example of how new technologies are helping the

fishing industry become more efficient and sustainable. The cod fishery is testing an electronic

monitoring system, combined with computer vision technology and machine learning (an

application of artificial intelligence that allows systems to learn from their own feedback), to

help avoid overfishing Pacific halibut, a high-value species in the region often found with cod.

Taking a look at the national setting, Philippines is known to be one of the poor countries

around the world in terms of economic aspect despite of the availability of resources such as land

and water resources. It is indeed undeniable that one of the sources of people here in the country

is fishing, wherein they use some ordinary man-made boats, mostly are powered by engine fuels.

Either diesel or gasoline are commonly used, but taking a look at the current situation in the

country where the price of fuels continues to fluctuate like the price increases more than it

decreases. As time or years passes by, it seems that all of the common needs of the people are

becoming more expensive such as those aforementioned fuels. Because of these instances,

fishermen are having a hard time because of the high price of fuel and as a result, they spend a

lot of money for fishing but in dismay, there are tendencies wherein they only catch fish which

can suffice their expenses in gasoline they used and sometimes, they even lose.

As an example, within the province of Ilocos Sur, fishing is one of the major sources of

living. Since pandemic brought down the economy, living expenses became higher and income

for each family becomes lower. In coastal areas, even they can go fishing, they cannot sell them
to the market due to quarantine restrictions and they cannot even go to poblacion areas to buy

gasoline for their boats so that they can even have some fish to eat. Provided with these

unexpected incidences, what if there will come a time wherein sources of fuels or other gasoline

resources will be gone? Now this will be the time where technology will be utilized.

With the help of this experimental research, a new alternative way to help in fishing can

be discovered. This aims to create a technology which can substitute gasoline needed for making

the boats work. One of each element is an electrical-motors that converts direct current electrical

energy into mechanical energy. There's a lot of kinds of DC motor but within this study, a

brushless DC motor will be used which can have a feedback control to monitor and control the

speed and torque, resulting in accurate torque and speed control providing higher efficiency, low

power consumption, and long battery life in the case where the motor is operating using some

batteries. This will not be costly as this will become a budget-friendly one. Another significant

purpose of this study is to develop a machinery manipulated solely by solar panels wherein its

energy can be accumulated by just the heat of the sun. The solar panels will be the source of

energy of the motor because it will be designed to absorb the sun's rays as a source of energy for

generating electricity or heating.

Review of Related Literature

This section presents a review of the following theories, concepts and principles which

will provide the researchers a better understanding about the research on hand.

Global fisheries face two major challenges: climate change, which results in fish stocks

moving away from historical grounds; and feeding millions of people a healthy source of protein

in a sustainable way. However, a new era of technological innovations presents great

opportunities to protect our oceans, maintain healthy fish populations, feed 3 billion people and

protect the livelihoods of more than 260 million, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Although cod is the target species, the fishery has strict Pacific halibut bycatch limits and

exceeding these limits may trigger a closure of the cod fishery. To help comply with the Pacific

halibut bycatch quota and keep cod fishermen on the water, some vessels are testing new

electronic monitoring systems that automatically count and measure halibut and other species as

they are brought on board or discarded. Estimates can be made quickly, meaning fish spend less

time out of the water, increasing their survival rate according to Ortiz (2019).
 As stated by Shems et.al (2021), while technology drives sweeping changes in virtually
every economic sector, the $130 billion global fishing industry is still largely in the dark. There’s
vast potential to shift the trajectory. Equipping boats with powerful digital tools could help stem
industry losses while targeting the biggest threat to our oceans. As technology advances, it’s
possible to envision a future where fleets of smart boats are equipped with advanced cameras,
trackers, sensors and other data-gathering instruments.

With the situation of today where there is a high cost of living, people are seeking for

alternative ways which could have a lower cost. One is the solar panels, according to the US

Department of Energy, the amount of sunlight that strikes the earth's surface in an hour and a

half is enough to handle the entire world's energy consumption for a full year. Solar technologies

convert sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors

that concentrate solar radiation. This energy can be used to generate electricity or be stored in

batteries or thermal storage.

To make a solar panels work, as stated by Kondracki et.al. (2014), a solar

powered charging station is designed so that devices can be charged outdoors and in an

environmentally friendly way. This system converts solar energy to electricity and stores it in a

battery bank. A microcontroller prevents the batteries from being overcharged and prevents the

system from being used when the batteries need charging. This project further aims to reduce our

dependence on fossil fuels as a means to generate electricity. If our system can charge several

devices without having external power from the national grid, it will be able to reduce the

demand for energy. As a result, electricity consumption lessened. On the one hand, ongoing

researches in the enhancement and improvement of the solar energy as an alternative source of

energy should be pursued. This project will aid global research efforts in helping protect our

environment. The use of oil and natural gas as a source of energy and their alarming effect on the

environment is a world phenomenon. Fuel energy causes harm on the Earth’s atmosphere and

ecosystems. The process of extracting energy from them is harmful to human health and the

environment and alternative sources of energy reduces the risk.

This paper proposes a novel design for a solar-powered charger for different devices. The

level of the charging current is controllable and any residue power is savable to a rechargeable

9V battery. Two power sources (AC and solar) are used, and two charging speeds are possible.
Quick charging is 20% of the battery output current (almost 180mA/hr) so the current is limited

to 34 mA. Two types of cellular batteries (5.7V and 3.7V) can be charged. Normal charging is

10% of the cellular battery output current (almost 1,000mA/hr), so the charging current is

limited to 100mA. The design uses only a few components so the system is cost effective

besides being highly portable. It was simulated on MultiSim Ver. 11 before being implemented

practically to validate it. The results from the simulation and the experiment show the design’s

sufficient feasibility for practical implementation. Depleting fossil fuel and increased demand for

energy have spurred the search for other sources of energy such as solar, wind, ocean thermal,

tidal, biomass, geothermal, nuclear energy, etc. The abundance and widespread availability of

solar energy, however, make it the most attractive among other energies that can be feasibly

extracted. It can be converted into electricity through low-power PV energy systems, for portable

applications (charging of mobile phones) and used in rural areas (solar lamps). The high cost of

PV panels and their low efficiency, however, reduce solar energy’s competitiveness in the energy

market as a major source of power generation. It still, however, is better than conventional energy

sources where portability is required. This paper considers a novel design for, and the physical

implementation of, a solar-charger- based PV energy system for charging of cellular and

rechargeable batteries. The charger current can be controlled and any residue power saved in a

rechargeable battery (9V). Sources for the design area solar panel (3W, 18V) and an AC power

supply. Two charging speeds are possible (slow and fast). The paper next presents the design of

the novel system and its simulation, the experiment results, and the practical implementation.

(Mashhadany and Attia, 2012)

Power generation and storage control mechanism is one of the significant and a

crucial factor in the generation and controlling system. There are various classical methods

are available in the electronics. In such areas controlling the system in remote way with

efficiency is becoming a hurdle and to overcome it in last few years. However, numerous

alternative control techniques have been developed. There are various methods of

controlling of solar power generation and battery storage system on which efficiency is being

worked out as a major issue. If the electricity losses in between PV cell - Consumption unit

and Battery storage – Consumption unit are at a comparatively large scale then it became a

crucial factor. At present, as the problem of fossil energy depletion becomes more severe,

photovoltaic source of energy arouses much interest as the secondary energy source. The
term photovoltaic refers to the phenomenon involving the conversion of sunlight into

electrical energy via a solar cell. Performance of a photovoltaic-based system strongly

depends upon the capability to determine an optimal operating point of the solar array at

which the maximum power can be drawn for any given load. Under certain temperature and

light intensity, there is only single maximum-power point in a normal cell. Therefore,

maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of the solar cell is essential as far as the system

efficiency is concerned. The Pulse width modulated (PWM) adaptive intelligent power

converter (inverter) has been designed and developed where the input DC power stored in

the battery bank obtained through PV and/or grid sources, has been digitized to produce

a sequence of PWM pulses (approximate to a sine wave) at the output of power converter and

deliver power to the load. (Raut et.al., 2013)

With the presentation of the Website Wavelength Electronics (2018), the DC voltage output

is dependent on an internal voltage reduction transformer and should be matched as closely as

possible to the current required by the load. Typically, the output voltage will decrease as the

current output to the load increases. With an unregulated DC power supply, the voltage output

varies with the size of the load. It typically consists of a rectifier and capacitor smoothing, but no

regulation to steady the voltage. It may have safety circuits and would be best for applications

that do not require precision.

Since innovation occurred, from the use of paddle for fishing boats, many innovative ways

had already been discovered. Like for the US Coast Guard (2020), a powerboat, also referred to

as a motorboat or speedboat, is a boat which is powered by an engine. Some motorboats are

fitted with inboard engines, others have an outboard motor installed on the rear, containing the

internal combustion engine, the gearbox and the propeller in one portable unit. Some powerboats

even have a hybrid inboard-outboard engine, where the internal combustion engine is installed

inside the boat and the gearbox and propeller are outside. Powerboats vary greatly in size. As

with any type of watercraft, a boater should take a boating safety course before they go out on

the water. These are common types of powerboats and their uses.

Objectives
Conceptual Framework

Design and Development of DC Motor Boat Powered by Solar Panels

PROCESS
INPUT
Planning Process OUTPUT
*Ideas Taken from related
Construction Process Design and Development of
literatures DC Motor Boat Powered by
*Supplies and Materials
Solar Panels
*Tools and equipment Evaluation Process

The conceptual model shows the variables in this study. The inputs include design and

construction of the device, supplies and materials, tools and equipment needed. The throughput

involves the designing, constructing, and assembling of the trainer utilizing old a recycled

materials that are locally available it also involves testing of its functionality and effectiveness.

Methodology

A.Collection of Materials/Component

The materials that will be used in this study are discussed and stated below. But

since the pandemic restrictions confined many people, materials will be acquired through

online shops.

MATERIALS

Solar Panel 6v 5 amp.= Solar panels sometimes also called photovoltaics collect energy from the

Sun in the form of sunlight and convert it into electricity that can be used to power homes or

businesses. These panels can be used to supplement a building's electricity or provide power at

remote locations.

Solar Charge Controller= Solar charge converters are also commonly called solar charge
 regulators. Solar charge controller is a solar-powered voltage and current regulator. They are

used in off-grid and hybrid off-grid applications to regulate power input from PV arrays to

deliver optimal power output to run electrical loads and charge batteries.

DC Motor 12v.= Simply put, a DC motor controller is any device that can manipulate the

position, speed, or torque of a DC-powered motor. Also, unlike some AC motors, DC motors are

easily reversed by simply switching their leads so that the DC current runs in the opposite

direction.

12dcv Lifepo Battery= The energy stored in a solar-battery system is used in the home whenever

there is energy usage above the level produced by the solar panels. This battery energy can

power household appliances before any energy is required to be imported from the grid.

Construction of the DC Motor Boat Powered by Solar Panels

a. Put the solar panel at the top of the boat.

b. Connect the wire of the panel going to the input of solar change controller.

c. Be aware of the polarity.

d. From output voltage of solar charge control, parallel it into the solar battery.

e. Connect the output of the battery into the input of DC Motor.

f. Series the DC Controller into the positive out of the battery and the input positive of the

DC motor.

Figure 1. Structure Diagram

DC Motor
Solar Battery

B.Amount of the Study

Solar Panel 6v 5 amp. (2 pcs) Php 800.00

Solar Charge Controller Php 350.00

DC Motor 12v. Php 273.00

12dcv Lifepo Battery Php 630.00

C. Duration of the Study

October-December 2021

Bibliography
Boat Beat Media Box. 2020. https://boatbeat.org/fact-sheets/powerboat-types-and-uses/
Environmental Defense Fund. 2021. https://www.edf.org/oceans/high-tech-future-fishing
Ortiz, Rafael. 2019, November 14. How Technology Can Help Transform Fishing Industry.
https://www.greenbiz.com/article/how-technology-can-help-transform-fishing-industry
Solar Energy Technology Office. n.d. https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/how-does-solar-work
Wavelength Electronics. 2018. Power Supply Basics.
https://www.teamwavelength.com/power-
-basics/
DC Controller- Simply put, a DC motor controller is any device that can manipulate the position,