How can i have constant electricity on a boat

[SunDevil]

Reduce the amount of power you need. Then reduce it again. I would want to avoid needing a generator or running an engine just to make a little power.

Think about sailing down the coast in the winter. Heating will probably be limited to a heating pad or heating blanket. But if you sail South, it won't be quite as bad.

Add insulation to your fridge, keep it full.

Deep cycle marine or lithium iron phosphate are the best, but are expensive. If you can reduce your power demands enough it becomes reasonable and trouble-free to go with LiFePO4.

[Stu Jackson]

The West Advisor: West Advisor Articles

[senormechanico]

Lithium batteries, lots of solar, Aerogel for fridge and hot water tank insulation, all LED lighting.
Works for my boat.

We don't live aboard, but went for a month without ever wanting for electricity.
Internet? Turn on the Ubiquity bullet and the laptop, powered by boat's solar panels.
Hot water? No problem. Just turn on the inverter.
Friend's boat's got a charging problem? No problem.
Plugged into us for a couple hours.

Even we only have 320 watts worth of panels, we haven't been plugged in since February.

[gregmacdonald77]

Where did you get the Aerogel and how much did it cost?

[carstenb]

Chuckles,

the answer to your problem is to rig a large water wheel on each side of the boat. Use lots of rectangular buckets. As you sail, the wheels turn and the batteries charge. No wind? Flip the buckets over and the batteries turn the wheels and your boat goes forward. Saves a fortune in diesel.

If you shop around a bit, you can find various colored buckets and this will make your Hunter appreciate in value - not to mention making sure you get a warm welcome in any marina you care to frequent.

Better not use SS buckets - if yo do Poobear will send you a dissertation on crevice corrosion at the handle.

[Ex-Calif]

How can i have constant electricity on a boat

Park it in your backyard and plug it into your house

[Kindred Spirits]

Electric eels in a stainless steel bucket??

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Kindred Spirits

Electric eels in a stainless steel bucket??

Copper buckets are more esthetically pleasing, and conduct better to boot!

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by gregmacdonald77

Where did you get the Aerogel and how much did it cost?

I purchased it from a company called Paccorinc but you can now buy it on ebay.

Aspen Aerogel SPACELOFT Insulation Hydrophobic Mat, Per Linear Foot, 57" Wide | eBay

[gregmacdonald77]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

I purchased it from a company called Paccorinc but you can now buy it on ebay.

Aspen Aerogel SPACELOFT Insulation Hydrophobic Mat, Per Linear Foot, 57" Wide | eBay

Thanks

[Hudson Force]

'back to a serious plan without buckets. The real energy pig is the refrigerator/freezer. If you're able to reduce the needs for cooling and freezing provisions and increasing insulation, you will have far less electrical demand.

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by CaptForce

'back to a serious plan without buckets. The real energy pig is the refrigerator/freezer. If you're able to reduce the needs for cooling and freezing provisions and increasing insulation, you will have far less electrical demand.

After doing a serious rebuild on my fridge/freezer, my biggest draw is my laptop while I cruise this forum and lots of others !

[carstenb]

Ok let's try serious, although with Chuckles you never know. The big ticket items on a sailboat (in terms of electricity) are (not in order)


1- Fridge/freezer (especially freezer)
2- Chartplotter(s)
3- Autopilots
4- electric water pumps

Most everything else uses very little and can, for the purposes of this discussion, probably be disregarded. What to do?

2 - only use the chart plotter when necessary. Meaning turn it off if you are off-shore where the water is deep and there are no channels or the like
3- Mount a wind rudder. Only use the electric autopilot when motoring
4- Mount a foot pedal and use it most of the time

1- Saved the best for last - take Capt. Forces advice and insulate the hell out of your fridge. Buy a new super energy efficient one while you are at it.

All that will reduce your consumption. Mount some solar cells to keep the batteries charged. Wind generator also. If you are completely paranoid after doing all the above, mount a water generator also. Finally a fuel cell will also help.

Failing all that - sell the sailboat and buy a motorboat - with the engines running you'll have all the electricity you want

[xymotic]

Originally Posted by carstenb

The big ticket items on a sailboat (in terms of electricity) are (not in order)


1- Fridge/freezer (especially freezer)
RADAR
2- Chartplotter(s)
3- Autopilots
4- electric water pumps

Most everything else uses very little and can, for the purposes of this discussion, probably be disregarded. What to do?

2 - only use the chart plotter when necessary. Meaning turn it off if you are off-shore where the water is deep and there are no channels or the like
3- Mount a wind rudder. Only use the electric autopilot when motoring
4- Mount a foot pedal and use it most of the time

1- Saved the best for last - take Capt. Forces advice and insulate the hell out of your fridge. Buy a new super energy efficient one while you are at it.

All that will reduce your consumption. Mount some solar cells to keep the batteries charged. Wind generator also. If you are completely paranoid after doing all the above, mount a water generator also. Finally a fuel cell will also help.

Failing all that - sell the sailboat and buy a motorboat - with the engines running you'll have all the electricity you want

[ArtM]

Originally Posted by chucklet321

I am a future live aboard and would like to know how to get constant power using batterys turbine hydro power etc

What are the best batterys?

BTW: 12 volt

Hi Chuck, ignore the monkeys.

Can you define "Constant Power"?

Many liveaboards get "constant power" from a large solar array and battery bank, but it is not a lot of power.

What are your applications? Why do you need it to be constant?