Quote:
Originally Posted by w1651
Amen to that Dave.
What I want to know is what is the level of self sufficiency you are at. Does your solar panel power everything you need or do you have a wind generator too. do you run a gen set or not? Do you have a fridge or freezer unit? How much power do you use and how much do you make in a day.
Also what and how are you cooking. Do you use your grill or stove and what do you use in them. these are real costs and I would like to know your monthly/yearly/ average costs for each.
(if you have to go to a marina to charge batteries factor that cost in as well as diesel.)
Nice video. That's a guy doing like I want to.
|
Lets see I have 230 watts of solar (2
panels 130 and 100 watts) with a $16 PWM controller and four group 27 deep cycle batteries. Lights are led or CCF. Fridge is a $140 120V 3.5CF fridge running off a $50
inverter. It uses no more power in a day then the average 12V unit.
The solar will recharge the batteries, my netbook,
wifi thingy, etc every day if there is 5 hours or more of sun. For cloudy days I have a small
honda generator or just run the diesel to charge the batteries.
I have a 3 burner stove/oven that I generally cook two
meals a day on. Its 42 years old and still going strong. A 20 LB
propane cylinder lasts 3-4 months in summer, maybe 1-2 weeks in
winter with
propane heat. I've a second cylinder too.
Pretty much I cook what i use to cook on land. Even Bake. I have an outdoor charcoal grill that I use only a few times a year. At the $500 level its hamburger, onions, bell peppers, etc. Some caned chicken or roast beef,
Fish when caught (not wild about
cleaning fish). I'm not big on beans, but have 10 lb on board for rainy days.
Dishes are washed with
water from whatever the
boat is sitting in. I use a bucket and heat the water a little on the stove in a 8 quart pot.