JB:
Staying off the grid is easily done. By it's very nature a boat on a mooring or at anchor is "off the grid". My boat has not been back to a dock since it was launched in June. I've got a 48 volt wind turbine and two 48 volt Kanaka and two 12 volt Seimens solar panels setup as a solar bimini for a number of years:
I'm using an off the shelf PWM Morningstar controllers for both 12 and 48 volt systems. They are not MPPT's and have worked great for several years. I also have a Honda 2000 generator as bulk charge backup, to power tools for projects and sometimes for hybrid operation. Though most of the time it is not being used. Since I got some work gigs this summer I have not been on board for several weeks. But, between jobs I was on board everyday and even when not on board I had my on board refrigerator keeping the beers, wine and cheese etc... cold 24/7. I'll probably touch a dock in the next few days to refill the water tanks but, that will just be a twenty minute affair. So yes living off the grid is pretty easy at least I find it to be with EP.
Capt. Mike
http://biankablog.blogspot.com
From: JBWrites - San Diego Freelance Writer <jbwrites2@yahoo.com>
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, September 6, 2012 8:03 PM
Subject: [Electric Boats] An off-grid existence
Has anyone totally broken loose from the grid yet? By totally broken loose, I mean that the only 'need' for tying up to a dock when cruising would be to take on water and provisions.
I have a 48v Lithium system and the choices for off-grid charging are slim. For a sailboat my size, a 1963 Columbia 24, a couple of permanent solar panels and a wind generator seem to be the best bet.
Does anyone know of any 48v solar panel distributors? Or, should I go with the 24v units and use a MPPT? I'm thinking that I will loose efficiency with that setup, but I'm just now learning about MPPTs.
Also, if I go the solar/wind option as is likely, does anyone have experience and recommendations on a duel charge controller system?
For what it's worth, my goals are impressively simple: I'd love a system that allows me to recharge my electric drive and house system while anchored. My power consumption will be very mild (laptop, monitor, VHF, AIS, GPS, anchor windlass, depth, speed, and wind electronics, a wash-down pump, navigation and house lights, and a small stereo / if the system can handle the draw, maybe even a portable fridge/freezer).
Looking for advice, recommendations, and knowledge.
Thanks in advance!
JB
SailingSineMetu.com
I have a 48v Lithium system and the choices for off-grid charging are slim. For a sailboat my size, a 1963 Columbia 24, a couple of permanent solar panels and a wind generator seem to be the best bet.
Does anyone know of any 48v solar panel distributors? Or, should I go with the 24v units and use a MPPT? I'm thinking that I will loose efficiency with that setup, but I'm just now learning about MPPTs.
Also, if I go the solar/wind option as is likely, does anyone have experience and recommendations on a duel charge controller system?
For what it's worth, my goals are impressively simple: I'd love a system that allows me to recharge my electric drive and house system while anchored. My power consumption will be very mild (laptop, monitor, VHF, AIS, GPS, anchor windlass, depth, speed, and wind electronics, a wash-down pump, navigation and house lights, and a small stereo / if the system can handle the draw, maybe even a portable fridge/freezer).
Looking for advice, recommendations, and knowledge.
Thanks in advance!
JB
SailingSineMetu.com
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