Generators needed on boat with solar and lithium.?

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

It is important to realise, as Fxykty correctly points out, that solar production varies significantly depending on location and the season. Formulae for the expected solar production is often quoted on this forum, without a proper explanation that these expectations will only be met in some cruising areas. In some locations and times of the year the formulae are hopelessly incorrect.

However, modern solar panels can still collect enough electrical energy so you can run boat happily even in areas of poor solar insolation without a generator, so don’t think this is not feasible. You need to prioritise electrical efficiency and have alternative non electrical systems in place for high draw appliances. This is better than putting up with drawbacks of generator in my view, but YMMV

Many modern boats are set up to exclusively use devices such as electric cooking and water heating. I don’t think the owners always realise that the boat set up is going to confine their cruising area to areas of good or even excellent solar insolation. Electric cooking and water heating is easy and convenient. We use this in areas of reasonable solar insolation. I would strongly recommend installing these systems, but you need alternatives if you want to cruise the many wonderful areas with poor solar insolation, without the hassle of a generator.

In some ways, generator vs having a backup propane stove, etc. is a tradeoff. The generator is slightly more complicated, but it keeps you from adding another fuel type, and it can do / power more things than a propane tank can.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

In some ways, generator vs having a backup propane stove, etc. is a tradeoff. The generator is slightly more complicated, but it keeps you from adding another fuel type, and it can do / power more things than a propane tank can.

Propane has no moving parts and is significantly more reliable than a generator. It requires no routine maintenance and in the very rare cases where something does fail it does not require specialist knowledge or specific spare parts that are often needed to keep a generator working. There is no noise or vibration.

The biggest hassle with propane is bottle replacement, but if you are predominately using electric cooking the need to source new bottles is minimal. We have used one bottle 13kg bottle in 5 years of full time cruising on our new boat. We carry three bottles and have room for 8.

The other concern with propane is safety risk, but personally I think this is overblown . Cruising yachts almost exclusively used propane cooking until around a decade ago and propane fires/explosions were very, very rare despite some dodgy and old installations. In contrast, electrical fires have become far more common even on modern boats with relatively new, factory installed and approved electrical systems. I think we are going see far more as systems age. Electric cooking and water heating demands high currents, large inverters and battery banks and it is difficult to ensure reliability in a salt water environment with vibration. Electric cooking is very convenient with many advantages, but I don’t think better safety or at least significantly better safety is one of them.

Propane systems are very unlikely to cause any safety issue when permanently turned off at the bottle. If used only as an option for areas of poor solar insolation the system will be in this state much of the time.

There is no perfect answer. These are choices that every boat owner needs to make, but for our requirements not installing a generator has been one of the best decisions and we have found it is still possible to comfortably cruise areas of poor solar insolation.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Air conditioning

And or cabin heaters. Water heater should run off the main engine waste heat, but if not, that too.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by capt jgw

And or cabin heaters. Water heater should run off the main engine waste heat, but if not, that too.

For cabin heating diesel is the most common (and arguably the best) fuel when away from shore power.

Hot water can be generated using propane or diesel as the fuel source when solar insolation is poor or waste engine heat is unavailable. You need an energy efficient shower system to easily generate enough hot water using these alternative fuels, but these are not complicated or difficult to install.