Orana 44: To gen or not to Gen

[laserkeith]

I'm in the process of purchasing my Orana 44 but it has no generator. Question, should I install a generator or invest in solar and Lithium Ion batteries instead? The type of sailing that is planned is to be mostly off the grid and not connected to shore power to top up.

[Chotu]

You’ll be fine with the solar and batteries. That said, if you want reliable air conditioning, you’ll need to get a generator. That’s the only thing left that absolutely requires a generator.

[sailorboy1]

In the end you will want/need some type of generator. I have given up on my inboard diesel generator because got tired of fixing it, but still run my Honda EU2200 20+ minutes a day.

I have 640w solar and fancy batteries

[apirate]

With 750watts of Solar and 800ah of lifepo4, we still need a generator from time to time.

Our Honda 2200 is perfect.

[singlespeed]

It only takes a couple of overcast windless days to regret not having a generator on board.

[Joh.Ghurt]

If you motor often enough, you can also use the alternator to top of the batteries. Not ideal to do twice a week, but no drama if you have to do it every now and then. Next time just motor-sail when the wind is light.

[Augi]

Originally Posted by laserkeith

I'm in the process of purchasing my Orana 44 but it has no generator. Question, should I install a generator or invest in solar and Lithium Ion batteries instead? The type of sailing that is planned is to be mostly off the grid and not connected to shore power to top up.

There are lots of detailed threads here where owners describe how much electricity they use each day, how much they motor, what equipment they are using that draw electricity, their climate, and how they power air cond. if they have it and all their other draws of electricity. From those threads you ought to be able to get an idea what you require in terms of needing a generator or not, lithium or not, how much solar, and all the different approaches made to create enough electricity.

The best way is not have air cond. and go with fans, wind scoops, etc to stay cool, if possible. Many don't need air cond when anchored out and if they have air cond. only use it in a marina, connected to shore power, when there is no breeze. Obviously the negative of a generator is the noise for you and your neighbors. To minimize the noise you need a lot of lithium batteries and the means to charge the lithium rapidly.


An alternative to a stand alone generator is go with an Integrel Solutions alternator / generator that is powered by the aux engine(see links). The video at the link below will help get an idea of what is involved to figure out what you need for specific needs, wants and desires.

https://integrelsolutions.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uTNjfb3MNQ

Another option is increase the size of the alternators on your engines or add a second alternator to one or both engines using standard type alternators, combined with enough solar and batteries that will work for you.

It is not uncommon people that have a 5KW+ generator use a portable generator much more.

[Augi]

Originally Posted by laserkeith

I'm in the process of purchasing my Orana 44 but it has no generator. Question, should I install a generator or invest in solar and Lithium Ion batteries instead? The type of sailing that is planned is to be mostly off the grid and not connected to shore power to top up.

A good source of info to help figure out your needs are and how how to go about getting what you need set up as well as possible are the videos provided by Pacific Yacht Systems.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCau...pGsEwZx6bHxHpQ

[noelex 77]

Welcome to forum, Keith.

A generator is the devil’s work .

[HighTemp]

I recently had a long discussion with the owner of a custom catamaran company along these lines. His position was that unless the boat's electrical system was designed specifically for lithium / solar, and of sufficient capacity, that a generator is still something that nice to have.

Personally, I like having the genset on board. We are in the process of converting our setup to lithium and increasing our capacity and solar substantially. Goal is to be able to run at least 2 and maybe 3 of the aircons from the battery bank for hours at a time.

Currently we have about 650 aH of AGM and only 400W of solar. We also have a 12kW diesel genset. By the time we are finished, we will have almost 1900 aH of lithium and over 2500 watts of solar. I can still envision the occasional need for the genset.

[tkeithlu]

There are conflicting forces here. On the one hand batteries are much better, solar is much better, and electronic devices are more and more efficient. On the other hand, demands creep upward. In the 1960s thoughts like hot showers and ice cubes lay somewhere between fantasies and hallucinations. Even if it just means tucking away a suitcase Honda, with its gas tied to the rail, recognize that you are going to find new uses for electricity. That, and yeah, finding that you have no working way to start the engine or call for a tow some morning will get your attention.

[sailingabe41ds]

How can anyone even begin to answer this question unless we know your needs and location....A/C in the Northwest NO, A/C in the tropics..YES and so on.
Abe

[LoudMusic]

I have an Orana 44 and used the 9kw generator so rarely that when it had a failure we just removed it and moved the 1200Ah 12v battery bank to the generator locker. We also have 2100W of solar.

There are indeed days when we need to run an engine for a couple hours, but we just use that to move to a new anchorage. I'd like to put dedicated house battery alternators on each engine as well, just to really get maximum diesel efficiency.

Having a little 2000W gasoline generator on board might be handy if you find you often are low on charge. And it will take up far less space.

[joelhemington]

Originally Posted by laserkeith

I'm in the process of purchasing my Orana 44 but it has no generator. Question, should I install a generator or invest in solar and Lithium Ion batteries instead? The type of sailing that is planned is to be mostly off the grid and not connected to shore power to top up.

You could always pick up a Honda 2000i later if the solar and lithium don't quite cut it - hold off until you understand your needs versus the solar array. And, you can take the Honda to the beach!

[CaptainRivet]

Originally Posted by HighTemp

I recently had a long discussion with the owner of a custom catamaran company along these lines. His position was that unless the boat's electrical system was designed specifically for lithium / solar, and of sufficient capacity, that a generator is still something that nice to have.

Personally, I like having the genset on board. We are in the process of converting our setup to lithium and increasing our capacity and solar substantially. Goal is to be able to run at least 2 and maybe 3 of the aircons from the battery bank for hours at a time.

Currently we have about 650 aH of AGM and only 400W of solar. We also have a 12kW diesel genset. By the time we are finished, we will have almost 1900 aH of lithium and over 2500 watts of solar. I can still envision the occasional need for the genset.

0n a 47 Sanoa 1900AH and 2500W solar should give you 4-5 days reserve, means 4-5 days whithout sun, in the batteries. on anker you will never need your genny. on long passages maybe very occassionally but big alternators/2nd set on your engine will be enough. Suggest to put aircon in your owners cabin only and you are fine. Run it during peak hours to cool your cabin down, sun provides most you need via solar and then only lowest setting over night of the batteries.



1900AH Lifepo4, what batteries are you using? I would go to 2x1000AH (so 8 pieces) Winston cells and put then to 24V/1000AH, 12V 1900AH is hell to route the needed cables sizes. The less batteries the better to monitor/track and with Wiston you will have approx 2400AH as they are underspeced