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Surprise!

Thanks for all the replies. I've been off making my home office more productive for real work (vs. whatever this is!)

Ants: Those high autopilot numbers are mostly a stress test for the overall budget. The actual AP draw averages 2-3 amps, and I plan to drive more than the hours shown. In light, flatter conditions I can use the Simrad/Pelagic backup which draws even less. Balmar makes alternator brackets with tensioning screws - if they fit I'll go that route. I'll send you the Excel spreadsheet so you can try different ranges of battery use, but the main reason I bought the carbon foam AGMs was the much wider range of use than the typical 50-85%. Regarding if the generating system fails, see my subsequent comments. Thanks!

Lee: Rob T worked on my electrical system quite a bit and we've been discussing the alternatives. I had enough solar on Ragtime! that during her two SHTP's, I hardly needed to run the engine. The way I plan to use Surprise! the rest of the time, I'd rather not invest in a big solar setup that will mostly sit in storage after I get back. We're talking about a Honda generator that I can use off the boat. They have their drawbacks but it might be a better backup to the Yanmar than a solar setup.

Jackie: Surprise!'s hot water heater only uses shore-power. Off the dock, water is heated from the engine's heat-exchanger. I'll just need to plan ahead, and fill the hot tub after the engine's been running.

Gary: I can't use the powered winches during the SHTP (and I wouldn't need them offshore anyway), so they aren't in the budget. The solar shown is a small panel I already have (saved from Ragtime!) It fits nicely on top of the dodger and I'll take it along, but it's a small piece in the overall puzzle. As Dave wrote, the carbon foams can be drawn down significantly (lower than the 20% shown) and bounce back. But I don't plan to make a habit of doing that.

Brad: Yes, either lots more panel or something else (like the portable generator mentioned above). I think you're right about dialing in some transmission time on the VHF. I don't recall having anyone in VHF range in the previous races, so I just stuck a zero in there. What do you mean when you say the system lacks elasticity?

Thanks again all - keep 'em coming.
 
BobJ said:
Thanks for all the replies. I've been off making my home office more productive for real work (vs. whatever this is!)

Brad: Yes, either lots more panel or something else (like the portable generator mentioned above). I think you're right about dialing in some transmission time on the VHF. I don't recall having anyone in VHF range in the previous races, so I just stuck a zero in there. What do you mean when you say the system lacks elasticity?
Click to expand...

Sorry Bob,
It was late, I didn't use all my words.

You are relying on the Yanmar for over 90% of your needs, while your consumption seems high; seven amps an hour on average? Really?
To the VHF, I was thinking about passing ships, or competitors within 25 miles, or the start and finish.
Do you really need instruments and small chart plotter on 24/7? Could the large plotter get away with 30 minutes every 8 hours? If you do plan on getting a generator, I highly recommend the Honda knock offs at half the price. Harbor freight has them under the name "Predator" for under $500. (Up in the hills, we are some of the last to have power restored by Pacific Gas & Explosion) I've had one for several years; it has a Yamaha engine, but I wouldn't want to wrestle it or fuel it anywhere, besides at anchor in the Delta.
Solar has come down in price and up in efficiency, since you last crossed the puddle, and would be much lighter weight than a generator or the extra fuel for the Yanmar.
I'd either buy them new and return at the end of the trip, or get used at Blue Pelican. When you get back, you could hang them up with the extra spars in the garage.
Blue Pelican often has used wind generators too. Even more amps per buck, that would charge most of the time instead of just daylight.
 
Maybe you need this stuff

First of all, I don't know why Surprise! is in the shorthanded thread.

Also, here are some items you are welcome to borrow:

This from Max last year:

IMG-7792.JPG

and this from Greg Ashby, before he sold Nightmare:

IMG-7794.JPG

IMG-7793.JPG
 
Thanks Jackie! That's a good charge controller - I'll take you up on borrowing it. Defender's warehouse sale started today so I'll see what they have for solar panels (50 watts won't do much).

In the long run, I think Rob's portable generator idea is good - but man I hate having gasoline on my boat to run it.
 
To clarify, my generator idea was in response to Bpb's desire to not invest the time, effort and cost of installing a big solar system he'd use once and then store in his garage. Over years of using generators, LD and I have "perfected" the venting and fueling issues while underway. All that being said, I really think Bob should get four of these and three more Victron controllers.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079HJQBVW/?tag=marinafb-20
 
Sorry, that one is sold.

Rob and LaDonna renamed it Princess Sparkle Unicorn (Sparkle for short). Okay, maybe it wasn't that particular yacht but a power boat purchase and the name is TRUE.

It's just as well. Against my better judgement I looked at my Vanguard account. "Don't look" they said. But I looked.

One of Rob's links includes a video of a guy running those little generators. Noise, smoke, more noise. And they weigh about 50 lbs. I don't think that's what I want.
.
 
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Here's an updated budget, assuming I spend $1,300 on solar panels and controllers, steer a little more, balance the boat better and yack on the VHF for an hour every day.

It now requires running the Yanmar for an hour every other day (if there's sun) so it looks pretty good. I made a cardboard pattern of the big solar panels to toss around on deck tomorrow.
 

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I test-fit the new alternator yesterday - only a test because of incompatible hardware.

Once removed and cleaned up, the bracket looks okay. The belt dust caused an optical illusion in the previous photo. The new alternator fits and aligns better than the old one.

Balmar Installed.JPGBracket Cleaned.JPG
 
BobJ said:
I test-fit the new alternator yesterday - only a test because of incompatible hardware.

Once removed and cleaned up, the bracket looks okay. The belt dust caused an optical illusion in the previous photo. The new alternator fits and aligns better than the old one.
Click to expand...

No serpentine belt? The dust could be an indication of misalignment. If that is a 100 amp alternator a serpentine is the way to go
 
Once the new alternator and regulator are installed, I'll test to see how close to the 100 amps it gets. I'm guessing less than half that, unless the batteries are completely flat.

Since Balmar only recommends a serpentine belt for over 100 amps (@12 volts), I'll probably not need one.
 
I'm curious why the reluctance to use the engine for charging? Is the idea to have a backup in case the engine has trouble? Will the new powerful alternator not put the engine under sufficient load to avoid some of the problems that diesels are reported to have running under low load?
 
After a few hours of sailing along in majestic silence, the engine can really harsh your mellow. An hour every other day might be tolerable.

And yes, one really needs a backup given the length of the trip and the reliance on an autopilot for much of it.
 
Happy Monday, during some really strange times:

Changes.jpg


And over the weekend the Governor clarified that CPA services are "essential and necessary."

I think it's to help figure this out:

How Many Rolls.png
 
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I've seen those numbers before, in an olden time before the apocalypse :eek:
But I don't know anybody who has any.

There is a story about a crazy person in the desert somewhere with a mountain of the stuff, and a lighter.:rolleyes:

48672278497_0b75215bb8_w.jpg
 
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I just saw a clip of a group of poker players around a casino table, using TP rolls as chips.

Greg, every time I post here about boat electrical stuff I imagine you, Dazzler, Rob T, Mike J, Mike H and Greg N simultaneously doing the Picard face-palm.

It's intimidating but I persevere.
 
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