Hello foiling world-
This is my “Pre” post. I’m a total newb who while stand up paddleboarding just decided they should have an efoil. I’ve done my obligatory days of reading and bookmarking… . I don’t know anyone with an efoil, and I don’t see many in my area (Pacific Northwest USA). For background I am a maker, with electronics background and some battery and BMS experience, lots of wood working, and a little fiberglass work. I have had and used a battery welder for years (even built one from scratch way back using a huge cap and SCR). While I have not built any packs to the scale of an efoil battery, I understand what I’m seeing and the surrounding discussions.
I haven’t ridden a foil yet, but have a long history of wheeled and board sports. While I could rent/lesson in my area for around $3-500 per session, I’m more inclined to just get or build an efoiland do it.
I have been reading extensively, and watching YT builds. Lots of information although I am not seeing any pinned threads on “current best practices for wind to E conversions”, or documented builds that align most with what I’ve imagined. I’ve found and saved some documents like calculators for choosing battery size, tables with evaluations of different cells.
I have opportunities to buy a set of gen2 Lift boards (a 5’0 and a 4’4" with one light battery) in the $5000 range; I don’t know the condition of the one battery other than it has been sitting unused and likely un-maintained for months. I also see another 5’0 lift gen2 with full size gen3 battery for abouit $5500 after tax and shipping. And I already have an AK Phazer 5’8" 90L wind foil deck I could convert by cutting in a battery compartment (no mast or foils at this time). I’m trying to understand the aspects of a conversion if this board seems suitable. Waydoo Evo or other used efoils look interesting too. I see a new Fliteboard Fiberglass - Series 5 for $1600 plus tax and shipping which looks like a good place to start building, but since I have the AK Phazer to work with, I want to explore that before dropping the $$ on the fliteboard.
Oh ya, I have a friend of a friend who has a dedicated board building shed that is available along with their guidance. This could be useful for modifying the Phazer, or a full build although I’m not currently as interested in a full build (but what do I know…)
I’ve been looking for threads documenting similar wind foil board conversions but it seems more popular to start from scratch, or from a donor surf or paddle board than a windfoil board.
I’m trying to determine if my AK Phazer 90L is suitable for a conversion (cutting in the battery compartment).
I don’t see many conversion threads, it seems to mostly be full builds from scratch or external batteries and electronics strapped to the deck in a sealed Pelican or similar case.
First questions & concerns I’ve come up with if converting the AK Phazer-
- Location of battery compartment/well - weight distribution?
- This AK Phazer has a “handle hole” in the bottom center for carrying it. The board is fairly thick but I’m unsure if this built in handle will interfere with a battery compartment.
- What/how to make the well (cut the hole and glass it in, or combo of 3D printed parts, or pre make a drop in well with glass or CF and drop it in the cut hole.
- Building the deck plate, how to attach it, and sealing of the battery well
- Battery size and form factor (assume I need this before making a well?)
- How to passively cool the ESC using mast when using a donor board. I’ve struggled to find documented builds showing this. I did save a thread that talked about using a rod of aluminum between the mast mounting plate and the ESC mounting plate as a thermal bridge but it did not include pictures and I did not understand the approach.
For consideration, I am 5’8" and about 162lbs.
On the topic of battery building, I have seen quite a bit more discussion on this and have saved enough that I should be able to pick and choose the approach for this.
On the topic of power/electronics and a mast, I have also seen quite a bit on this and feel comfortable with what my options are (like Gong and filpsky)
I am not in a rush, I do need to be responsible with my spending (Over $5k usd would be a strain for finances), I do enjoy projects, and I don’t want to jump into something that is not practical, for example, if converting the AK Phazer were not a good approach, or buying Gen2 Lifts with only one questionable light battery.
I am also experienced buying direct from Alibaba, but not seeing much end user discussion which identifies any current sellers or models that are worth considering; either as a complete efoil, or even just the board and build from there. I’d be interested if there were links to current discussions on this topic that I may have missed.
I’d like to get some feedback on the potential conversion of the AK phazer for starters. If there are links/threads/YT videos specifically on wind foil to efoil conversions including the battery compartment design and build, that would be appreciated.
Thank you