Ellen & Amps

My guess is combination of solar panels and a small diesel genny. Just like the Vendee fleet. All IMO

<hr width=100% size=1>I came, I saw, she conquered (the original Latin seems to have been garbled).
 
let's see if I understand this... (I probably don't, it's a big confusing day anyway..)

Don't think a small diesel generator will be a problem in weight (along with the right amount of diesel). It's all very compact and I've read that Alex Thomson (again Vendee link) had some trouble with getting the diesel from the main tank to the small tank for the gen. Stated that if needed was willing "to do it mounthfull by mouthfull to keep going".

<hr width=100% size=1>I came, I saw, she conquered (the original Latin seems to have been garbled).
 
from her site:

"One small concession to creature comforts is an Eberspacher heater fitted on board." Hey, that luxury!

and

"For reasons of saving weight, water is not stored on board but is made from sea water via a device called a desalinator."

and finally, here's a hint

"Importantly, Ellen must be capable of fixing anything on board when inevitably at some stage it goes wrong or breaks whether it is sails, rigging, electronics, computer equipment, diesel engines, charging system, etc."

<hr width=100% size=1>I came, I saw, she conquered (the original Latin seems to have been garbled).
 
Your probably right - but she is running cameras and lots of radio and electronic gear as well as nav light so for 2 months I would have thought it was quite a lot of diesel - still I suppose the boat is so big and there is no alternative.

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crossed posts... Must be quite a high output genny. My watermaker pulls 8-10 amps and the heater must pull quite a bit too. I never went down the diesel generator road but often wondered - The cost of the Goal Posts plus windgenerator and solar panels must equate to a diesel genny...

<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>
 
The diesel on board just powers her generator, to provide the necessary electrical power, most of which will be needed to drive the autohelm which is connected to all the navigation gear as well. I bought the video of her Vendee race. Scary!

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So how much diesel is she carrying for two months? Electric autopilots can really eat the amps.. Not to mention all the rest of the electornic gear she has.

Really interesting that professionals just use a deisel generator and the rest of us spend thousands on wind generators, solar panels et al...

<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
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Funny this came up at work the other day, a diesel is still the most efficient way of producing electrical energy, about 30% (theoretical maximum) I believe, so it would mean carrying the least weight of fuel. I guess solar panels would only add weight, probably not producing much power in return and, strangely, you don't see many wind generators on racing sailboats. Nuclear reactors are probably banned.

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I believe that B&Q uses a generator - as far as I know there is no auxiliary engine, prop, etc for the around the world attempt.

Her first boat Kingfisher was built here and the company I ran at the time provided survey services during its construction. If I recall correctly that boat was fitted with a custom made diesel generator (a small diesel coupled to a 100+ A alternator), plus another similar alternator on the auxiliary engine.

John


<hr width=100% size=1>I am the cat but I am only 6.
 
interesting isn't it?
The professionals normally have the best knowlage and experience - I think I will go down the no solar panel or windgenerator route on the next boat...

<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>
 
I guess the pro racers arn't too worried about the noise/smell/fumes of a diesal genny. seems to miss the point of having sails to harnes the power of nature while having a genny humming away in the background.

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Re: Ellen & Amps/Solar?

Well, I think the big difference between professional racing and cruising (like I do) is that racers are not alowed to use their engines. If my batteries are very low on energy, it's about time for a little motor-sailing and the problem will be solved.

Still surprised that I can't find any pictures of solar panels on her current tri B&Q. I know for sure that her former open 60 Kingfisher did have these panels.

Don't you think (with your experience) that combination of wind and solar is the best option for cruisers? Perhaps even a duo-gen (instead of regular windmill) could do the trick?

<hr width=100% size=1>I came, I saw, she conquered (the original Latin seems to have been garbled).
 
Re: Ellen & Amps/Solar?

I am not really sure what is best any longer... I have always had an array of Siemans solar panels and powerful Air Marine wind generators - Passage making in tropics hardly ever have to run the motor to charge batteries...

Having said that been in so many anchorages with american yachts with silent/vibrationless small diesel generators - only way you can tell they are running is the noise of the cooling water falling 6 inches into the sea!!!

When I add the prices of the stainless goal posts to support the Panels and Wind genny and the cost of regulators and a vast (5) battery bank and I look at the yanks with their silent small generators that actually start when the voltage drops I do wonder....



<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>
 
Re: Ellen & Amps/Solar?

Hi Beagle - as far as I am aware the racers are allowed to use their engines it is just the shaft that is sealed. Maybe someone more closely involved could confirm that.

Sounds like Bambola and I could be on at least similar tracks on this /forums/images/icons/blush.gif. I think if the decision is purely economic then generating using diesel is the best way to go. And as B' has said modern generators can be very quiet (as can a well silenced main engine from outside the boat if that is used for charging).

But people have other reasons in their choice varying from the totally emotional through to having some other alternative in case of generator/alternator/engine failure, in which case if you use solar/wind for that backup you may as well use it whenever possible.

John

<hr width=100% size=1>I am the cat but I am only 6.
 
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