How Do We Generate FREE Electricity On A Narrowboat? Full Tour Off-Grid Setup.

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  • @DanniandJoe
    @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому +2

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    • @davidday6838
      @davidday6838 3 місяці тому +1

      Hi Joe, it was interesting don't think it wasn't, but you do need some sort of understanding how things work, I have on my wide beam everything the same as yourself but I do have a 240 amp leisure battery alternator which works wonders. Always look forward to your vlogs don't always comment keep up the good work. Hugs to danni hope she fine😊

  • @chrishaylett5249
    @chrishaylett5249 3 місяці тому +14

    I’ve not got a boat. Don’t understand electrics. Understood next to nothing of what you said. Enjoyed it a lot. Your like Stephen Fry, doesn’t matter what your talking about, it’s just relaxing to listen to you. Keep doing it.

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому +3

      That’s very kind thank you! (big Stephen Fry fan)

  • @user-yx8yw2qm8z
    @user-yx8yw2qm8z 2 місяці тому +1

    This is the best description of off grid power I have seen. Brilliant, well done Joe👍

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  2 місяці тому

      Ah thank you really appreciate it!

  • @billharris6886
    @billharris6886 3 місяці тому +9

    Hi Joe, I hope you are doing okay in Danni's absence. Keeping busy makes the time go faster.
    I went through all the numbers on your solar system and have a few suggestions if you are interested (I have designed DC to DC converters, inverters, as well as a solar controller. I also have been doing solar at home since 2009). I recommend a parallel connection of your solar panels. Series connected panels are best if you have a long distance between the panel and solar controller. On a boat, the panels are so close wiring wise, the benefits easily outweigh the disadvantages. Your panels have 60 cells in series, with about 0.6 volt output per cell, your open circuit voltage should be about 36 volts. Taking wire losses and solar controller overhead into account, you need a minimum of 19 volts from your panels to run your system. Paralleling your panels causes the solar controller to operate slightly more efficiently and prevents a small shadow falling on just one cell in one panel, from taking down the entire panel system output by 80 to 90%. Series connected panels also require a special high DC voltage disconnect switch, as the higher DC output from the solar panel system can arc across the open contacts of a standard AC rated switch. Series connected solar panels don't improve low light output because, the panel voltage doesn't start dropping until its output drops below 5% output power, and it is a slow drop as light diminishes. When the panel output voltage starts dropping rapidly due to the light going away, the panels no longer put out current so, a series connection really won't help much.. The biggest drawback with parallel connected panels is, you need twice the wiring for your installation between the panel and solar controller.
    Solar panel ratings assume ideal conditions: New solar panels, the sun is directly overhead, the panels are pointed at the sun, the sky is perfectly clear, low humidity, and the panel temperature is +25 degrees Celsius or less. On a good day, I estimate your panels will put out up to 568 watts/40 amps of charge power/current. Assuming the battery is fully charged, 508 watts of inverter output.
    When the system is pulling more power than the system can provide, the solar controller will load the panels to the point where the panel voltage drops 20%, which is the maximum power point.
    It looks like you have just the one battery. The inverter will draw more current than the battery is rated for if you try to get the full 3,000 watts out of the inverter. If you can afford it, add a second battery.
    I think you mentioned your cloths washer draws 2,000 watts? Is this with water heat? If so, turn that off and cold water wash. 2,000 watts is a lot of power to pull from your system.
    I looked up your boat engine. It looks like the best all-around engine for narrowboats. Since it is an Interference type engine, just be sure the timing chain is in good condition.

  • @davidsedlickas8222
    @davidsedlickas8222 2 місяці тому

    Boating always comes down to power.
    We have left the comfort of a marina on shore power and are solely reliant on engine and solar.
    It's a tricky juggling act
    Unless we have sun it's a no no not to use the inverter. Whilst all UTube vlogers have been gifted these power packs yes I agree they are an evening asset and I think we should have to buy one at some point in the future.
    The weather has been horrendous for the past 4 months. Boating is tough.
    Keep safe both
    Safe journey travels.

  • @mikeboone4425
    @mikeboone4425 2 місяці тому

    Well done young man well done makes common sense to me .

  • @PK_Blinder
    @PK_Blinder 3 місяці тому +8

    Well explained.... Didn't think I needed a Cerbo in my van but now I have I love it. The only thing you have to be careful of if wiring in series is shading. If you have shading on one panel then the whole string is effected. But if you have them in parallel then one panel can be shaded and the other panel will still be fine. The amount of channels I see storing the centre line on top of the panels 😮.... Nate is a true bank of knowledge.. 👍

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому

      Yeah love the Cerbo!
      That's true with the shading, we find that if one panels in shade then the other is as well - been some lovely open bits of canal recently and have seen nearly 500w of solar coming in!

    • @CruisingTheBroads
      @CruisingTheBroads 3 місяці тому

      The other issue with series is the shock risk. Single panels or panels in parallel are pretty safe. Series panels can generate enough voltage to start to become an electric shock risk, so extra care needed handling wiring.

  • @paullowden1643
    @paullowden1643 3 місяці тому

    Well explained Joe. Be aware that storing petrol onboard requires a stringent set of rules and regulations to be adhered to that most boaters’ ignore, possibly with dire consequences and potentially making your insurance void. Might be worth considering getting your generator converted to run from your 13kg gas cylinder.

  • @philsmith5208
    @philsmith5208 3 місяці тому +1

    Thanks for sharing. Interesting video and comments, don't have a Narrowboat, considering an ecoflow to power lights for a market stall rather than petrol generator

  • @akilby8022
    @akilby8022 3 місяці тому

    Very interesting, thank you.
    😂😂 Galvonic isolators are more than witchcraft 😂 as a boat owner and an electrician I totally believe they are just cash cow, the metal posts on the pontoons with the AC power supply don’t have them ????
    Hope Dani is safe n well 👍👍

  • @milesbaigent4534
    @milesbaigent4534 3 місяці тому +1

    Nice informative video Joe. Good stuff, well explained!

  • @johnwelch2224
    @johnwelch2224 3 місяці тому

    that was extremely informative joe thank you very much i hung on too every word well done buddy

  • @jimm7165
    @jimm7165 3 місяці тому +1

    It was really good to see how you guys get electricity on the boat. I quite liked it.

  • @andreaamer1183
    @andreaamer1183 3 місяці тому

    No, it was really interesting. Would you ever think of buying a hybrid boat( I know they are expensive), but would you feel they would be more energy saving 😊

  • @andyk101
    @andyk101 3 місяці тому +1

    Get on the 'Coffee Stout' from Aldi, for BOTW Joe. It's unbelievably good. Just had one watching this, so now my mouth is buzzing with coffee and Guinness type aromas, and I understand series wiring! Result!🤣

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому

      I’ll keep an eye out for that! I tried the Grind X Brewdog one and it was great!

  • @Meinoz
    @Meinoz 3 місяці тому +1

    Your video has taken the edge of my lack of knowledge of all things electrical..such a mystery.. we are new to all of this and have been trying to decipher the spec of our new boat.Look forward to getting more adept of all this stuff! Thanks for the info 👌

  • @mikeholdaway2412
    @mikeholdaway2412 3 місяці тому +1

    Because of you, I now own an ecoflow! I got in case of emergencies (earthquakes, floods ect) but I'm finding I'm using it another more . It's great. Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿😊

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому

      Amazing! We wouldn’t be without one now, so handy!

  • @paulcharleton3208
    @paulcharleton3208 3 місяці тому

    Ooooh i do enjoy a good Danni and Joe vlog. Keep that coffee and music coming !

  • @adidasmanuk
    @adidasmanuk 3 місяці тому +1

    Wasn't boring at all,I've watch a few try and explain it all.imho this is the best I've seen so far :) well done Joe :) top notch :)
    Wish I could like the video 100 times :)

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому +1

      Thank you very much really appreciate it!

  • @rachelsmith1
    @rachelsmith1 3 місяці тому +1

    Thanks for the explanation of the difference of wiring solar panels up in a series vs parallel. I have some solar panels that I wired in a series but never really knew the advantages of doing that. I'm not a boater. I live on a small farm in West Virginia, US but I have found your video very useful.

  • @nvdsraemuna7833
    @nvdsraemuna7833 3 місяці тому

    Brill vid, tons of info for those of us interested, I commented to 'the narrowboat pirate' that bifacial panels are now available that absorb light from both sides giving up to 30% more energy, tons better yield in overcast british weather... 1000mm x 700mm panels are rated about 200-225w, I believe, so a pretty big efficiency leap. it helps a lot to elevate them on brackets tilt towards the sun and paint the surface behind them like a boat roof white so it reflects light to the panel rear. They run a higher open circuit voltage tho, so need appropriate controllers, but I suppose each panel is like a solar parallel sandwich of two panels back to back with clear glass. I'm hoping somebody like Craig solar stocks 450-500w panels that are only the size of 350-400w panels in the near future as I've only seen smaller bifacials at the moment. 👍

  • @gerardosullivan1642
    @gerardosullivan1642 3 місяці тому +1

    A very good presentation you have come a long way in gaining your experience well done.

  • @user-pq4qc8tb7s
    @user-pq4qc8tb7s 3 місяці тому +1

    Been waiting for a video like this for years,good,plain description 👍

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому +1

      Really appreciate the comment thank you!

  • @CosmicPrawny
    @CosmicPrawny 3 місяці тому +1

    That's a nice setup with decent redundancy. Like the video: good explanation. You've earned a new Subscriber. Looking forward to watching your journey.

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому +1

      Thank you! Appreciate it!

  • @brutwinky6492
    @brutwinky6492 3 місяці тому

    Well explained, great video.

  • @davidutting649
    @davidutting649 3 місяці тому +1

    Love watching and learning from you're videos. Awesome Couple of people x

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому

      Thanks for the lovely comment!

  • @davidwatkinson7552
    @davidwatkinson7552 3 місяці тому +1

    Great overview, thanks Joe. I have just bought a narrow boat and I have lots of Engineering qualifications but I still appreciated the vlog. It was both informative and interesting. Your system looks to be robust, reliable and inherently flexible, well done. I am struggling to design something that isn't expensive and overly complex. :-)

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому

      Thank you!
      Yeah it’s hard to find the right balance without compromising performance and cost too much.
      I’d work backwards from what you definitely need to power and seeing what fits your budget. Renogy make good value alternatives to Victron (but some of the MPPT units aren’t actually cheaper than Victron!) so worth searching.

  • @nickevans1698
    @nickevans1698 3 місяці тому +1

    Spot on Joe, well done 👍🏼

  • @annjarvis9300
    @annjarvis9300 3 місяці тому

    Well done Joe guess help a lot of boaters hope u ok on your own tc now the oldies 👍👍🤗🤗

  • @outdoor_logic
    @outdoor_logic 3 місяці тому +1

    Vlogs are mint Joe 👌. Fair play man.

  • @adriansowden138
    @adriansowden138 3 місяці тому

    nice vid under stood what you said good information cheers adrian

  • @chas3997
    @chas3997 3 місяці тому

    For trickle power you could try adding a small wind turbine for winter top up😁👍

  • @JSArts-kc1jh
    @JSArts-kc1jh 2 місяці тому

    Found it helpful..😊

  • @MrDiscoseeker
    @MrDiscoseeker 3 місяці тому

    Always useful brother

  • @paullemon6542
    @paullemon6542 3 місяці тому +1

    Thanks Joe

  • @rogermcd9918
    @rogermcd9918 3 місяці тому

    RCD Joe, just to jog your memory

  • @grahamewilliamgoodburn6807
    @grahamewilliamgoodburn6807 3 місяці тому +1

    Great video. 👍

  • @peterbell6425
    @peterbell6425 3 місяці тому

    Great video Joe, I had a few questions to ask when you first installed your electrical kit; this video answered them all, Thanks - Pete

  • @arthurverheijen6682
    @arthurverheijen6682 3 місяці тому +1

    Perfect explanation!

  • @PKWeaver74
    @PKWeaver74 3 місяці тому +1

    Properly interesting. 👍👍👍

  • @leadsocks
    @leadsocks 3 місяці тому

    Really appreciate this, thanks. I mean, i don't understand it, all dark arts to me, but I'll get there... perhaps.

  • @Orxenhorf
    @Orxenhorf 3 місяці тому

    0:18 - Eeeeeeehh.... get a replacement cap for that as soon as possible. You don't want loose debris or a screw/nut/washer while working on something else falling inside.

  • @stevenginnever5343
    @stevenginnever5343 3 місяці тому +2

    Really informative video, I was wondering if after all the news articles (fake or not), about EV's. Do you worry about the fire hazard of lithium batteries?.

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому

      Thank you! I think everything has it's risks. Personally i'm more afraid of a potential gas explosion than anything battery related. For scale an EV's battery bank is around 40KWH and this battery is around 3.5KWH so over 10 x the size.

    • @billharris6886
      @billharris6886 3 місяці тому +1

      I was first acquainted with Lithium batteries in 1995. They are unstable by nature. To make them safer, the added BMS (Battery Maintenance System) limits the charging voltage, charging and discharge currents, monitors temperature, and voltage sharing between cells within the battery. The BMS addresses most of the danger areas that will make the battery explode and catch on fire but, not all. Long term high discharge and charge currents, elevated temperatures, vibration, and high humidity levels can cause thermal runaway. In a narrowboat installation, thermal runaway is very rare. However, if they do runaway, there is a high probability it will kill you if you don't exit the boat within 15 seconds due to high levels of outgassing. The fire can't be extinguished, the heat can easily cut through steel and concrete, even with a medium size battery of 100 Ah.

  • @billywindsock9597
    @billywindsock9597 3 місяці тому +4

    I have a question. Beer of the week is?

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому +1

      😂😂 back next week!

    • @ChrisJay
      @ChrisJay 3 місяці тому

      I was about to post that as well, Probably Joe ddint think it right drinking Beer and talking Electrics at the same time :-)

  • @iannicholls7580
    @iannicholls7580 3 місяці тому

    Have you not thought about a wind turbine for the winter months to help cut fuels costs of a generator?

  • @davecook3138
    @davecook3138 3 місяці тому

    Hello Joe. Great vlog, as always. Does your alternator struggle with belt slip when under load? And.... Going back in time, can you explain what you use for your bed lifting system, please? I know you briefly covered it when you were building the bed, but I can't find it. Cheers Dave.

  • @forresteralex
    @forresteralex 3 місяці тому +1

    Set your cerbo to charge your ecoflow when batteries are full very easy to do simple relay great vid mate

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому

      Didn’t know that was possible! Could that be done through 240v wall socket or just the 12v cigarette lighter?

    • @forresteralex
      @forresteralex 3 місяці тому

      Can do either I'd personally use a 240v socket

    • @forresteralex
      @forresteralex 3 місяці тому

      They have a programmable relay in the multiplus 2 aswell people use them for a immersion solar dump you can just use it to power up all your lithium battery packs

  • @simon-nb-Betsyray
    @simon-nb-Betsyray 3 місяці тому

    Hi Joe would you still need a galvanic isolator if you only used a generator? Has I'm in the throws of adding extra solar and generator on my boat. Love watching you and Dani

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому

      That’s a great question - I’m going to have a read up, found this thread which covers it but it’s a bit over my pay grade to say! www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?/topic/48508-galvanic-isolators-and-generators/

  • @CruisingTheBroads
    @CruisingTheBroads 3 місяці тому +1

    The BMC 1500 is a derivative of the B series, so effectively dates back to the early 1950s.

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому

      Crazy how many are still out and about on the cut!

  • @lisaheard941
    @lisaheard941 Місяць тому

    Hi what cost buy the solar panels and generator please

  • @Dore60
    @Dore60 3 місяці тому

    👍

  • @trevormegson7583
    @trevormegson7583 3 місяці тому +1

    Have you still got your Aldi undies?

  • @user-yx8yw2qm8z
    @user-yx8yw2qm8z 2 місяці тому +1

    Hi Joe, do you get any solar power in the winter? Or would you with panels? Thanks for your help, Kevin

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  2 місяці тому

      Tend to get minimal solar through winter, think we started getting a bit form March-ish and then it’ll die back off come October really.

    • @user-yx8yw2qm8z
      @user-yx8yw2qm8z 2 місяці тому

      Thanks Joe, Have a good day😊

  • @edwardhoughton2565
    @edwardhoughton2565 3 місяці тому

    OK Xx

  • @taffychips
    @taffychips 3 місяці тому

    Hi. What generator did you get?

  • @chazzox
    @chazzox 3 місяці тому +1

    hey Joe, do you have the links to the solar power information?

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому

      Hey sorry - explorist.life/solar-panels-series-vs-parallel/
      (just added it to the description now)

    • @chazzox
      @chazzox 3 місяці тому

      @@DanniandJoe awesome! thanks man :)

  • @user-yx8yw2qm8z
    @user-yx8yw2qm8z 2 місяці тому

    Should have said Extra panels.

  • @edwardsfamily6184
    @edwardsfamily6184 3 місяці тому

    hiya I've recently seen a canal boat that has had a full electric conversion where it hasn't got a diesel engine at all the whole boat was electric even the motor that powers it and it look amazing inside too i think you should do that with your boat bro you would save so much money as you wouldn't have to buy diesel anymore

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому +1

      Yeah there’s quite a few of those about now. The batteries and motor can cost £20-30k though. That’s a lot of diesel 😂

    • @narrowboatlunabetty
      @narrowboatlunabetty 3 місяці тому

      @@DanniandJoe Also in winter not nearly enough sunlight to power the motor.

    • @theoilybeard3287
      @theoilybeard3287 3 місяці тому +1

      They all have marine diesel generators though, because at least half the year you don't get enough solar! And those generators cost almost as much as a your normal narrowboat engine on their own. Add the cost of electric motor and batteries and it still makes a lot of sense to run a normal diesel. Unless you're rich enough to afford the extra cost for electric propulsion.
      Don't get me wrong, I'd love an electric boat (or car for that matter), but both are still very pricey options.

  • @AndyDeiu
    @AndyDeiu 3 місяці тому +1

    I have same engine 😅 I have one alternator.

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому

      They're good old engines really!

  • @julie9242
    @julie9242 3 місяці тому

    Hi Danni, There is only limited amount of cash this year. Which would you go for first EG EcoFlow or generator. Hoping there may be some offers on at Crick 2024. PS I don't buy from the Internet. Great watch, thinking of options now. Cheers Julie

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому

      Hey Julie! If you’ve already got solar you probably won’t need a generator until October maybe, if you’re planning on any camping trips where you could utilise the EcoFlow through summer then I’d say go for that first. But if you’ll need a generator for winter then that would be a priority!

    • @ChrisJay
      @ChrisJay 3 місяці тому

      @@DanniandJoe and Generators is somewhat cheaper than the Ecoflow:-)

  • @_TheDudeAbides_
    @_TheDudeAbides_ 3 місяці тому

    Very interesting! Only someone with zero knowledge about finance would call the electricity free, though. With a large investment, the electricity is not free.

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому

      Yes - just a title to grab attention

  • @stevenhaycox1731
    @stevenhaycox1731 3 місяці тому

    Best way is wind it’s not very often that there is no wind

    • @PKWeaver74
      @PKWeaver74 3 місяці тому +2

      It really isn't. It's interesting to look into but there's a reason why so few narrowboaters have a wind turbine.

  • @robvanbooth
    @robvanbooth 3 місяці тому +2

    No "Beer Of The Week"? Unsubscribing now ;)

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому +3

      😂😂 it’s back next week!!

  • @juliesutton4551
    @juliesutton4551 3 місяці тому

    Don’t understand anything you said 🤣🤣🤣

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому

      I thought this was because of my accent first! But guessing it’s because of all boring power figures and words 😂😂

    • @juliesutton4551
      @juliesutton4551 3 місяці тому

      @@DanniandJoe not boring nor your accent 🤣 it’s the whole electrical thing!! I’ve tried to understand it but it just goes over my head 🤣🤣🤣🤷🏼‍♀️

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому

      @@juliesutton4551 😂😂 it’s taken me a while to get my head around it!

  • @CaptainK007
    @CaptainK007 3 місяці тому

    Pleeeeeeze bin the £€%&^@ naff music. Almost as bad as making coffee 😂. Pleeeze it’s pants

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому +1

      What royalty free music would you like me to use instead?

    • @CaptainK007
      @CaptainK007 3 місяці тому

      @@DanniandJoe no music , zero, nada, nuffing. 😂 it’s a damn Yankee colonial thing banging riffs after every will it work statement (not you) or aaarrrghhhh lift music while your talking. Intro ok, outro ok but not in between. Let’s hear it, bumps, pumps clatters n all. When some Kidiot editor got his hands on the in America series they stuck riffs n crap all over it, viewing figures plummeted. Watched all yours and enjoy the adventures.

  • @DD_11111
    @DD_11111 3 місяці тому

    Adverts for sex toys in your ad breaks. Not impressed guys

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому +1

      We have no control over those ads in terms of content, that’s all down to google (who own UA-cam).

  • @siblingyontentheythem
    @siblingyontentheythem 3 місяці тому

    Why? Sorry the channel is going down hill.

    • @DanniandJoe
      @DanniandJoe  3 місяці тому +2

      As I said at the start of the video, lots of people asked for this video.