About me
I have been building a catamaran in Plymouth for the past couple of years. When I'm not working on my boat, sailing or spending time with my family in Taunton where I live, I work as a software engineer in London (currently ITV). I run a small technology recruitment company and a software consultancy.
The project
I have been looking for a off the shelf hybrid electric propulsion system to power my catamaran for some time however what I have found comes with more compromises that I would like to accept. I have done a fair amount of research into open source electric vehicle projects and while all these systems are close, these do not present a realistic option as they stand. They could be used as an excellent starting point for my project.
I would like to develop a full hybrid electric marine drive system based around a diesel generator, lithium chemistry batteries and Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) industrial a/c induction motors (ACIM) (7.5kVA - 11kVA). The project would be to deliver, using a mix of COTS components and custom hardware and software, a complete solution, including motor control and battery charging/management.
The role
I am looking for someone to work mostly independently on the project either from something like London hack space: http://wiki.london.hackspace.org.uk/view/London_Hackspace or from wherever they are most comfortable. Using hackspace would ensure that you would have access to more tools than I could provide you with and expose you to some enthusiastic talented people too. I would expect to catch up on progress regularly and be available to help on some software aspects of the system if required. The role is temporary, full time, and will finish on delivery of the project goals. I would like work to start as soon as possible.
The skills
You should be comfortable I'm quite open to the choice of technologies, but my preference would be you use Microchip dsPIC, AtMel or Texas Instruments micro controllers. You will need to know about laying up high power medium voltage circuits. You will be comfortable using software to design and simulate complex circuits. You will be working alone mostly, so you will need to motivated by results.
If this project sounds like something you would like to be involved in, please send me your CV and short note outlining why you would like to be involved.