FAQ’s: Momentum U2 Batteries and Chargers

It does depend on the type of boat that you’re on and the load, as weight is obviously a factor.

In general, pottering along at around 3 knots is the most economical speed in terms of range and endurance. The Electric Outboard website has some performance data for the U2 on three different tenders which might be useful to take a look at.

If you’re interested in the likely lifespan of the battery, Momentum claim >1500 cycles to 80% capacity.

Using the standard charger supplied in the box, it’ll take around 2 1/2 hours to charge the U2 battery from flat.

There is a silver button on the side of the battery at the top, next to the charging port.

Simply press and hold that for about 4 seconds.

The screen will come to life – but nothing will actually happen until you connect the kill cord. The kill cord basically is the communicator between the motor and the battery, checking everything is ok. After a couple of seconds the full screen display comes up showing battery life and giving you speed info once you’re underway.

The minute you remove the kill cord – whether purposefully or if you’ve fallen overboard, the motor stops.

Once you’re done using the motor, you simply remove the kill cord and switch the battery off using the same silver button that you did to turn it on.

We always suggest checking the display screen before you switch things off so you know how much battery you’ve used and how much is left so you know if you need to recharge it or not before your next trip out.

You can install the battery on to the motor in either its vertical or horizontal position – but whether vertical or horizontal, we suggest that you use the steering lock function to lock the motor in to place and to stop it moving from side to side while you’re installing the battery. It makes it easier in our view.

Take hold of the carry handle at the top of the battery at the back – or grab it however you feel comfortable – and line up the battery with the two black nubs on the back of the outboard motor. Firmly slide the battery down until it has clicked into place. If you haven’t heard it click or the two blue buttons on either side of the motor at the top by the battery haven’t popped fully out, then the battery isn’t secure. Pull it out a little way and then be a little firmer as you slide it into place.

&list=PLpdhKTyL-WcLAw4eFfWYOToYcPP1Q5O6O&index=10″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>This video from the Momentum team shows how easy it is to install the battery on to the motor.

The U2 motor and battery are both fully water proof and completely safe to use in the marine environment. Even if one or the other have been fully submerged in water – fresh or salt, you can pop the battery onto the motor, switch it on, attach the kill cord and head off.

The reason for this is that the team at Momentum designed both the motor and battery with self-cleaning connectors. When they marry up, they clean each other. A little rubber grommet cleans them, making sure there’s no water on the two connecting surfaces and then it sends a signal to the system saying everything is ok.

Yes – the both the battery and motor are waterproof and IP67 rated.

&list=PLpdhKTyL-WcLAw4eFfWYOToYcPP1Q5O6O” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>This short video by the Momentum team shows how safe it is to install the battery to the motor and switch on even after the battery has been submerged in salt water.

There’s data from Momentum that shows the U2 lasted just over 18 hours and travelled 55 nautical miles (102km!) on one charge when travelling at 3 knots with one person on board an EZraft Q360 in calm coastal waters.

That’s pretty impressive – but the EZraft is an exceptionally light tender and, of course, how far you can go and how long a battery lasts will always depend on how fast you’re travelling on average, the type of boat you’re driving and how many people or how much kit you’re carrying.

In general, if you stick to around 3 knots, you should be able to get a full day’s motoring out of your U2 but as soon as you start increasing your speed – even by one knot – the battery endurance will rapidly decrease.

We’re checking and if one is available, we will upload here very soon.

We’re checking and will upload one very soon if it is available.