ELECTRICITY On A Sailboat Q&A ⛵️ (Lithium, Solar, Wind)
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- Опубліковано 21 лис 2022
- Take $50.00 off PER BATTERY with a special discount from Battle Born just for the Delos Tribe. If you’re in the market for some spanking-brand-new LIFEPo4 batteries to super charge your power system check them out. We’ve torture tested them on Delos for years and they perform incredibly well. Just be sure to enter the discount code "delos" during checkout to get your $50.00 off PER BATTERY! Check out their different products and packages here: svdelos.com/battleborn
This video is all about Lithium Batteries, Solar, Wind, Inverters, Chargers, and everything else Power Related to take your Yacht or Sailboat OFF-THE-GRID for a while! This episode is dedicated to our Patrons, thanks so much for your great questions!
There are timestamps below for each question.
Additional Recommended Watching:
HELLO Lithium, Goodbye Propane- • Hello LITHIUM, Goodbye...
Sailboat Electrical System Overview (Playlist)- • Sailboat Electrical Sy...
WATT The Hell is an Amp Hour?- • WATT THE HELL is an am...
03:47 - Do the solar panels alone handle your electrical needs or is the generator needed on a regular basis?
06:10 - How much power do the sails create when Delos is sailing at 6 knots? Would there be a horsepower figure?
07:28 - What’s the fire risk with Lithium batteries? How do you reduce the risk?
09:23 - How much power do you produce from solar panels and wind generators?
14:35 - Is the wind turbine an effective source of power?
15:30 - Do you have your inverter turned on all the time or only when you need AC power?
17:46 - Can you run your air conditioning regularly off battery power?
20:36 - When do you start worrying about battery charge levels? And what steps do you take to conserve energy?
22:03 - When a boat converts to Lithium what changes need to be made to the charging system? Also mention spike suppressor.
25:29 - Have you thought about going to a high output alternator?
26:30 - Is a power audit worth doing?
27:40 - Do you still plot positions or are you mainly electric charts now?
28:50 - Where does one learn the basic of solar?
30:18 - Can you mix lead batteries with Lithium batteries to help with nighttime discharges?
31:13 - How can you track the power generated by wind and solar?
31:48 - Are you able to make water off your solar?
33:18 - How much solar would you need to go 100% electric, no generator, no Diesel engine?
41:03 - Are you a fan of the induction stovetop?
42:20 - How important is it to have the same bus bars and loads on high current applications?
43:44 - How can you protect your system from voltage spikes if the battery management system shuts off?
44:28- What electronics would you recommend for a small, simple day sailor
45:14 - What secondary charging method would you depend on?
We just got a special discount we wanted to share with you! Take $50.00 off PER BATTERY with a special discount from Battle Born just for the Delos Tribe. If you’re in the market for some spanking-brand-new LIFEPo4 batteries to super charge your power system check them out. We’ve torture tested them on Delos for years and they perform incredibly well. Just be sure to enter the discount code "delos" during checkout to get your $50.00 off PER BATTERY! Check out their different products and packages here: svdelos.com/battleborn
I'm not a sailor and don't understand a word being said, but love seeing Brian living his best engineer life while talking about highly technical information that is clearly in his wheelhouse. Thanks for sharing!
Same.
Lithium batteries (what hes talking about ) are also in all electric cars & last 10-20 years, so there's that.
@@MizzAugust7 The type of lithium used in vehicles is not the same as the ones used by boats and RVs as "house" batteries, which both different from lithium used in electronic devices
It’s not friday….what a treat!
For some people this will probably be considered one of the best videos from SV Delos ever. Others will skip it altogether. I am an engineer, so perhaps some may think that I understand all of this, and I do…but…until you get into “energy and load management”, it will remain mysterious. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it and your experience, we are all becoming “managers” somewhat. IOW, maybe solar on the roof, an EV in the garage, rolling blackouts, battery storage, energy bills, cost and availability of fossil fuels, the drumbeat of the news cycle, etc, etc. Nothing makes you a better manager than going cruising or van-living off grid.
Sailing Nanji just posted their energy video this week too. A half world away and they are in sync. They not only highlighted their electric power generation/storage but also showed how they turned the dingy outboard from 9 hp to 15 hp by changing out one part.
Haven't watched that yet. Thanks.
Brian, this is a fabulous lecture. Given the antics on board (always fun, btw), we often see you being silly and care-free, so it is good to see again the beating heart of the excellent engineer at the core of Delos' daily ability to function. Many of us have followed your journey for years, and this forces us to remember and honor your status as an educated professional, and to identify with you as a hard science STEM guy: I followed all of it, which is a great reflection on your ability to explain "the hard bits" - without a single PowerPoint. Your outstanding efforts to freely share arcane and high-tech content like this with the community is a major factor in the high ratings and success of your channel and of your esteem among sailors. [This is in no way meant to detract from the family/crew/community/Patreon aspects of Delos' success - those are amazing, too, love The Nugget]. And you look very warm - Jump into the ocean. If you ever make the trip to come to Lake Michigan, I know a place to cool you down in about 7 seconds - I look forward to meeting you one day. /p/
This was a great example of how valuable it is to have a method to share your knowledge and experience with those of us who are not so technically adept. Brian, I was suffering along with you as I watched your tee shirt evolve into a wet rag. That looked miserable! Thanks for bearing the heat and doing this segment.
Yeah he needed to turn the AC on, it must have been getting hot in there.
That has got to be one of the best explanations I have ever heard. The engineer in you really came through! Thanks!
Thanks for the straight forward description of your power needs including your reasoning for keeping the diesel engine. I always considered sailboats the original "hybrid" vehicles. For some people, going all electric will fit their boating style. For others, their style will benefit from having a diesel engine for propulsion and hi-load power generation. Great to have options!
Your explanation about the ineffiency of going to electric propulsion was absolutely perfect. Great reasoning and providing solid facts. The whole point of owning a sailboat is to sail! The motor is there as the backup/accessory. This is a great video. 👏
I have done a lot of long distance sailing. The No. 1 topic amongst long distance sailors in the bar is electricity. Great video.
What I have not figured out is when I look at batteries, I am seeing VA/h which should mean Volt x Amp hour or Watt Hour rating, but then they have a mathematically different kW/h rating on the same battery.
Thank you Brian, for the technical videos... I know they do not get as many views as the sailing, but for those of us who are making plans for when we get our own boat, you are a font of knowledge, and a pretty good teacher at that.
Kudos Brian, that's dedication to so thoroughly answer questions while roasting inside without A/C! I may or may not have been chuckling as the sweat slowly soaked through your shirt... Best wishes to the family & Happy Thanksgiving!
Kudo's to you for making it through the entire thing without passing out from heat stroke! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the world.
Wow, Brian, that was a lot of info! Unfortunately, I am not a sailor at this time, but it is clearly obvious that you definitely know your stuff. Thank you for taking the time to share with those who understand it more. Sending love from California.💜🤟🏻😎🇺🇸⛵️
Wow, two videos in one week! Thank you for sharing these power consumption questions and answers. You guys are awesome!
Always great to hear engineering talk
Thank you, Brian. A most fabulous episode and a real keeper. 🎉
I absolutely love your tech videos! Thanks, Brian! I've been following since Fiji
Thanks Brian, this was an excellent episode and the insights were spot on. Your resources act as belt & suspenders to those of us working through the complexities of preparing for sailing life.
Absolutely love stuff like this. None of the advice applies to me, but I always loved the technical aspects of doing what you guys do. Needless to say, Brian is the right man for the job.
Thank you so much for always creating such engaging an enchanting Adventure Sailing videos. It makes a big difference in so many people's lives 🌸 🌺🎯💗
Thanks bro, I hope you keep doing more of these types of video's!
Your perfect for it..one day soon, when I'm in a place to get my 1st boat, I will be useing all the kind insightful lessons and journeys you have blessed us with to help find my way. Even knowing an example of how to approach this lifestyle,that it practically can be done✌
Love the tech update. This is absolutely golden information! Thank you Brian. This is good on multiple applications not just boats. You guys are living the dream and information on how to do so is great.
Well done. You were able to explain what is a very complex subject in a manner that most folks can understand. I enjoyed this a great deal.
Brian flexing his EE muscles! Excellent resource. Bookingmarking this for the day I'll eventually need it.
I love nerding out to these presentations. 👨🎓👔 Thank you for sharing your knowledge, experience, and expertise. I enjoyed the snowy pictures you shared from Sweden. One of the best snowmen I've ever seen. Sierra helping 💕 was the best. ☃️
Brian, these films on the power systems you have fitted are brilliant.
I aim to set sail within two years and want to have a yacht similar in size to Delos and fitted with a/c, heat, HW, water maker, microwave, washing machine and electric cooker… and maybe one day an electric motor.
Your films have been so so so informative. Amazingly helpful.
In the Sea of Cortez now. On a new to us boat and learning all the systems, especially the electrical with lithium, solar, & wind. This was very helpful. Thanks for delivering such great content!
This is fantastic, thank you for posting this. Great topic and exactly when I'm starting my solar project on my boat!
I've done two overland solar projects, but it was a bit easier when every component was new and installed by me, feeling a bit more complicated with my 1986 Catalina!
Wow what a great video, thanks for sharing your depth of knowledge with us!
Great episode. Love seeing the thought behind what we see. Thanks guys. Hope you have a great festive period.
For charging Lithium batteries from an engine alternator, I would recommend a DC to DC charger that will limit how much is drawn from the alternator and protect it. I did this on my Motorhome when I switched to Lithium batteries.
An engine alternator should be able to handle full amp output 100% of the time. If not, then replace it with one that can. Yeah, a lot of OEM alternators are POS. They work for recharging the starting battery, and minor loads fine, but not large loads.
A DC to DC battery charger is a piece of electronics that can fail, and thus something one needs to keep a spare for, or do without if it fails. Can one do without it if it fails? I like to favor redundancy if possible. The one place I'd consider a DC to DC charger is from the house bank to the starting bank. This is mainly for keeping it topped off, but it also could recharge it if the starting bank alternator fails.
For charging both a starting battery bank and separate house bank, I'd give each of them their own alternator, and wire them as separate systems. Yes, two alternators. This is often not done because hard to get, or custom brackets are needed. If possible each alternator should also have it's own dedicated drive belt. This is for redundancy. If one alternator dies for whatever reason, the other can be used in it's place. This also allows different battery types and ages for the two battery banks. Obviously each battery bank needs uniform type and age of batteries in it. Using external regulators, like modern Balmar ones, that can be custom programmed for the ideal battery voltages and currents is best. A single backup external regulator can be kept as a spare, and programmed when installed. Record the setup steps, and keep them with the maintenance books, so they can be done quickly without thinking in an emergency. One of the biggest reasons for using an external regulator is having a temperature sensor at the battery to adjust charge voltage based on the actual temperature of the batteries. This is very important for lead acid batteries. The battery bank and engine room temperatures can be quite different. The battery management system in lithium batteries should take care of this.
Newly outfitting a boat, or major refitting one later, I'd seriously consider having all the alternators and regulators identical so spares can be carried and used anywhere. I would do this even for the starting battery alternators. This is basic redundancy.
Each drive belt typically has an idler pulley to set tension. If it is a spring loaded type, then adding a contact switch on the idler arm is possible. That way if the belt fails, or it stretches too much, an alarm will go off and you know immediately, and not later after something else fails due to lack of power.
Yeah, I think things through too much... It's the designer in me meting my paranoia.
Thanks for all the info Brian, love the Generator efficientency , running the generator at perfect timing like running it during the water maker or the air conditioner for max 4 hours is a good way getting your batteries to 100% at the same time...
Thank you for this video!! I have been wondering more about the logistics of daily life on a sailboat.
Brian, I always appreciate your tech talks. When I bought my Maramu, with the assistance of Bill Rouse, I knew I would be upgrading systems. My next is Lithium Ion. Loved this. Thank you.
Brian and Kassa, Superb break down of electrical system ability and supply. Thanks so much for putting the time into this video.
Jim Rodgers
as an off gridder for the past year and a half, youve explained everything very clearly for those who dont know it.
Also something you hit I never thought about was the impedance. As a power lineman we deal with this when we bank transformers and capacitor banks but I never thought about the batteries but makes total sense how you set up the leads. Well done sir !
Love these bonus videos! Fantastic stuff.
I love how we can see your bank running low and you have to shut the AC off. Starting to sweat slowly... The heavy.... Yes Battery bank and needs matter! Great video!!
Excellent presentation with many answers both in practical terms and the applied mathematics, for me, about lithium batteries and power generation sources. Many thanks, Brian.
That was a great class! Learned lots. Fair winds and following seas!!!
Thanks Brian, Nicely Done...
Brilliant. PERIOD!
Thanks Brian
That was an awesome review on marine solar!!! Thanks for creating that and sharing.
As usual Brian , you are too generous with your wealth of knowledge. Thanks.
Thanks for posting and sharing. Very impressive command of the information.
Enjoyed the class. 35yrs as a electrician. Solar & wind are suited for assisting generators, house power. Fair winds & Following seas. Enjoy.
Excellent video and explanations of your system, and the answer to questions.
Thinking about building a solar system at home.. this is helpful
thank you so much this is very helpful to new sailors like myself thank you
As an electronics technician, I don't see anything wrong on this video. Some information is (justifiably) based on personal experience and the rest seems technically accurate. I'd certainly recommend this as a good resource. Well done Brian. Thanks for all the videos. Tootles... Wade 👍😎👍
Thanks Brian. Love these info videos.
So much good info. Thank you and Happy holidays !
i love these technical videos!
Great one Captain Brian. Thanks.
great lecture on power management. Never fails to amaze me with your genuine ability to overcome problems with your creative and smart fixes. example of such burst of ingenuity is how you outsmart your diesel power generator's computer by coming up with a series of resistors... what great ability to understand how your devices work and how you trouble shoot ... just thought i'd voice my thoughts and admiration for your obvious intelligence. Happy and Safe sailing...
Hey Brian, an awesome presentation. Thank you for putting that together. Not an engineer, but i love that sh*t.
Been watching for years. You guys rock! 😎
Awesome video. So many questions answered.
Thanks for the detailed explanations. I’m gonna use some of this on my motorhome.
Hello from a snowy Sweden!
Super interesting video Brian, I really enjoy your technical videos. Thanks for sharing!
Excellent.
Thanks Brian, fascinating video, learnt a lot.
Thanks!
Thanks for suffering the heat for us Brian. I felt bad for ya. Great info. Appreciate ya
That was great. Thanks!
Great technical content!
Sounds like Delos systems fits the need well, I do understand and work with ohms law regularly. Well done and thanks for sharing 👍
Great, great video! Especially this live tested numbers like 3.5 times, opinions i.e. for wind turbines and minimum expected range. Thank you very much :)
Yeah! And thank you. :)
Brian, on the subject of DC powered air con units, I market 12v and 24v A/C Systems (Air cooled), that consume 25-50 amps (12v), or 12.5=25 amps (24v), that pump ut 9.6k BTU and can run 12-14 hours on a 600 AH (12v), LiFEPO4 bank. In the semi trucks I've installed these units, you could hang meat in the cabs, they are so efficient. I'm currently in development of a marine version of this system. (I have a 40' Sailboat in addition to my semi truck, so it's enlightened self-interest).
Kassa and Brian we all love you all ❤❤❤
I have followed for many years and seen it all from you.
I am coming in a sailboat my self in a year ore 2 ❤❤❤
Crazy norway man now crusing yacht/houseboat down european waterways now
Thank you for all this great info while sitting in an oven.
I just love it when tou talk tech 😉
Excellent video and explanation... it really puts Plukky's from Sailing into Freedoms ElCano challenge into perspective... going around the world without the use of fossil fuels is incredibly difficult and you need to manage your power very carefully and accept that you may be stranded if there is no wind and you need to move any distance.
I'm happy watching your video Delos,❤️❤️❤️ watching from Philippines 🇵🇭🇵🇭
Very well presented..
One word. Respect!
Awesome video and comprehensive answers. I learnt a lot and I don't even have a boat to apply it to 👍
Good video Brian. Look forward to crossing paths with you in Mexico
Great video, thanks for sweating it out for all of us!
What a great tutorial!
Nice Video. Thanks.
Yes
wow, such a great informational video. Great job answering all these power system questions all in one video, what a great idea! be careful... your nerd is showing, haha. All good stuff to know about for sure, especially when it is your way of life. also- the video and lighting quality is especially good in this one, nice work. Safe travels!
great video! thanks
Several advantages of the hybrid engine for me:
1. A lot of motoring is to get on and off the dock, when having instant power without needing to first start the engine can be useful.
2. Off shore in good winds, the hybrid is a hydro generator, giving another source of power.
3. It cuts the need for a separate generator, saving weight, equipment to maintain, and freeing up a lot of space.
Fantastic informative video..!!!
Great video!
Battle Born is the best.
Cheers mate
Hey Brian is your refrigerator running..... ???
Ya better check the amperage on the meter!🍻
As a fellow nerd I loved the video, stuff like this is what is going thru out heads when we are spacing out. Ha
What a remarkable man
Back in 1979 we had some lower tech power situations but one thing I do remember when I was living in a motorhome bum skiing in the Rockies I do remember one way to keep my batteries topped off was to head out to the golf course at night and plugged in to the soda machines by the first hole and after cranking some current the extension cord would melt in below the snow line and keep everything incognito yeah there's nothing like straight electrical current
Brian,
if you watch other sailing channels (?), you might be aware that Sailing Uma is 100% electric. (Although they do carry an auxillary portable generator just in case).
They pulled their diesel years ago.
(They are a much smaller boat, and limited E range, however).
Upgrades now have an Oceanvolt inboard. Also with an impeller-propeller (wrong term) that spins in the water while under sail, for charging.
Dan has published several videos over the years detailing this.
🌊🌊🌊⚡🌪️⚡🌊🌊🌊
Uma often has to run a generator in a series mode to go long distances under power. Some of their most recent videos in the Mediterranean have them becalmed and running the generator. I think on a monohull, electric only drive isn't realistic yet. A series hybrid would work. On catamarans where they can have large solar panel areas, it is still marginal for main drive.
@@ekaa.3189
Thanks for the reply.
As I understand it, Uma rarely runs a generator. In such situations, they instead prefer to wait on the weather.
In my previous comment, I mostly articulated all of this. Including E-range, monohull.
Cheers.
🏴☠️👁️🔧🏴☠️
Good video Brian 👍
Great video and congrats on completing your circumnavigation! Wouldn’t it be a big benefit to convert some of your AirCon and refrigeration from 110vAC to 12vDc. It could be much more efficient and use less power. I know there is a big expense but it may make sense in the hot Sea of Cortez type area.
i love all your videos