oldbilbo
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What do you others have? What works and doesn't work for you?
Installed electrical power
- Thread starter oldbilbo
- Start date
Independence
Well-Known Member
I'm probably a bit OTT and outside the Jester ethos a little!!
I have 2 x 85amp batteries to run:
AIS
VHF
Garmin 128
Garmin 126 (as back up and for coastal work)
Domestic radio
Depth
Wind
Wind repeater
Nav lights
Internal lights
I changed from a Rutland wind generator on my last boat to a Acquair tow generator which was expensive but, in my experience, infinately more efficient.
I have 2 x 85amp batteries to run:
AIS
VHF
Garmin 128
Garmin 126 (as back up and for coastal work)
Domestic radio
Depth
Wind
Wind repeater
Nav lights
Internal lights
I changed from a Rutland wind generator on my last boat to a Acquair tow generator which was expensive but, in my experience, infinately more efficient.
Gargleblaster
Well-Known Member
Keep it simple is the best advice I could give. I find as soon as you get into the ocean the red wires keep burning out when the salt water hits them. So it has to be simple if I need to repair it.
In terms of charging my simple mind means that if I have two batteries I have two solar panels one for each.
Oh and never buy an instrument that does more than one job because if one part goes it generally means the lot goes. I detest integrated instrument systems as per the Raymarine model.
In terms of charging my simple mind means that if I have two batteries I have two solar panels one for each.
Oh and never buy an instrument that does more than one job because if one part goes it generally means the lot goes. I detest integrated instrument systems as per the Raymarine model.
jesterchallenger
Well-Known Member
The basic requirements for reliability are: 1. Keep it simple 2. Keep it dry. In my experience, very few chart tables and their associated electronics and electrical panels are situated in a protected position, so the first wave down the hatch soaks the lot. Been there and done that (it got the laptop amongst other things), so now everything is situated out of reach of all but seriously rising water. And together with water coming down the hatch in bad weather (there's always one wave that catches you with the hatch open!), don't forget how much you bring down on your clothing - it'll drip all over everything it can.
I use windspeed & direction, closehauled, log & depth all the time, plus a small chart plotter for coastal work or a handheld GPS for offshore sailing. AIS, RTE and radar whilst asleep/below/poor vis. Mobile phone when within range of the shore, Satphone when not; VHF is used occasionally and a shortwave receiver for entertainment and weatherfax; laptop for emails and GRIB files (the inverter to charge this is very power hungry). Tiller pilot (I can't use a windvane) is also power hungry so an incentive to handsteer as much as possible. Navtex is used whilst within range. I have only two interior lights with fluorescent bulbs and a number of battery powered LED lights. I always eat the main meal midday to avoid having to use lights for prolonged periods whilst cooking in the evening. Radio/CD players use a surprising amount of power.
I have 2 x 80Ah batteries plus a solar panel and an Aquair water powered generator. My Aquair chucks a steady 5 - 6 amps 24/7, sufficient to power everything with plenty to spare. You'll always know it's me going past at night because I'll have all the lights on ! The only time I don't use it is in very shallow water or if I am lying to a drogue in a gale (the rotator would get tangled with the drogue). The solar panel will keep the batteries topped off on the mooring and provide enough back-up if you can't stream the Aquair for a couple of days. If you rely just on solar panels, you'll need a lot of them (they really only work properly for about 6 hours a day, and not very well on a cloudy day at that) or dramatically economise on your power consumption. I might add another panel just in case the Aquair packs up.
So much for keeping it simple! In reality I could happily sail with nothing more than a handheld GPS and a supply of dry cells, but you know what it is with boys 'n their toys....
I use windspeed & direction, closehauled, log & depth all the time, plus a small chart plotter for coastal work or a handheld GPS for offshore sailing. AIS, RTE and radar whilst asleep/below/poor vis. Mobile phone when within range of the shore, Satphone when not; VHF is used occasionally and a shortwave receiver for entertainment and weatherfax; laptop for emails and GRIB files (the inverter to charge this is very power hungry). Tiller pilot (I can't use a windvane) is also power hungry so an incentive to handsteer as much as possible. Navtex is used whilst within range. I have only two interior lights with fluorescent bulbs and a number of battery powered LED lights. I always eat the main meal midday to avoid having to use lights for prolonged periods whilst cooking in the evening. Radio/CD players use a surprising amount of power.
I have 2 x 80Ah batteries plus a solar panel and an Aquair water powered generator. My Aquair chucks a steady 5 - 6 amps 24/7, sufficient to power everything with plenty to spare. You'll always know it's me going past at night because I'll have all the lights on ! The only time I don't use it is in very shallow water or if I am lying to a drogue in a gale (the rotator would get tangled with the drogue). The solar panel will keep the batteries topped off on the mooring and provide enough back-up if you can't stream the Aquair for a couple of days. If you rely just on solar panels, you'll need a lot of them (they really only work properly for about 6 hours a day, and not very well on a cloudy day at that) or dramatically economise on your power consumption. I might add another panel just in case the Aquair packs up.
So much for keeping it simple! In reality I could happily sail with nothing more than a handheld GPS and a supply of dry cells, but you know what it is with boys 'n their toys....
