NEWS & NOTES
Hybrid Drive
an engine to generate electricity
from the rotation of a flywheel.
Now, the same manufacturer
has taken this design to the next
level: when energy is applied
to the flywheel, it acts as a
motor. In other words, Steyr has
created a compact—referred to as
“serialized”—electric drive that can
be neatly sandwiched between the
engine block and transmission. (It
adds 7 inches to the length of the
power plant installation.)
Operating from its own 48-volt
battery bank, the propulsion unit
uses the running gear, transmission,
propeller, and shaft of the existing
propulsion system. When engaged,
the vessel is powered by an efficient
10hp electric motor. When more
power is necessary, the diesel engine
is started and operated like any
other engine, with two significant
differences: the electric motor can
be used as a booster during
hard acceleration, and the
electric propulsion engine
becomes a high-output
generator, which is much
more efficient than any
alternator. (Steyr claims it’s
90 percent more efficient.)
The Steyr Hybrid Drive
offers additional features,
including backup starter
capability; the drive can
essentially be used to start
the engine if the ordinary starter or
its battery fails. Finally, and what is
most impressive to me, is the drive’s
ability to be used as either a get-
home system or as a pure electric
drive. It’s being used in the latter
mode aboard Island Pilot’s new
DSe Hybrid.
For more information on the
Steyr serial Hybrid Drive, visit steyr-motors.com and look under the
“Special Products” tab. —S.D’A.
GIVE YOUR DIESEL A BOOST
With the introduction of ultralow-
sulfur diesel (ULSD), there’s a lot of
talk about fuel additives and what
they can do for operators of diesel-
powered vessels. The watch phrase
is buyer beware: when an additive
promises results that seem too
good to be true, they often are.
Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost
from Power Service Products has
an impressive yet realistic list
of attributes. Among its most
important features is its ability
to boost a fuel’s cetane number
by as much as six points.
Why is this important? Diesel’s
cetane number is roughly similar to
gasoline’s octane number, but in
reverse. Whereas octane retards
ignition of fuel until the sparkplug
fires, cetane enhances diesel fuel’s
“ignitability,” an important feature
for a diesel engine’s compression
ignition system. This translates to
easier starting (particularly when
the engine is cold), smoother idling,
and reduced emissions.
Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost
Additionally, Diesel Kleen
+Cetane Boost stabilizes stored fuel.
It enhances diesel fuel’s resistance to
thermal and oxidative breakdown,
and its detergent helps to minimize
injector deposits.
