PDQ Electrical Use / Recharging on the Hook

[Old PDQ Message Board]

PDQ Electrical Use / Recharging on the Hook

Posted by Roger Ford on May 02, 2001 at 06:12:00:

In our ongoing quest to prepare for cruising, I'm looking at the daily power
consumption and re-charging capabilities of our PDQ36. On the re-charging side,
we have 3 - 55 watt solar panels, an Air marine wind generator (that doesn't
really kick in until 10 knots apparant) and two Yamaha 9.9 HP outboards. On the
consumption side, with the 12 volt fridge, instruments, anchor light, some
interior lights and other minimal use, I'm figuring about 85 Amphours per 24
hour day

How are you cruisers coping with these issues? Is a small "emergency" (such as
the Honda 1000 watt) generator a good back-up option? The Chesapeake Bay
probably doesn't make the optimum use of the wind and solar so I'm figuring that
what I'm generating now is probably on the low side of the total capability. How
about a full genset? What are the installation issues/options here?
Your thoughts??? Thanks in advance!

Follow Ups:

Re: PDQ Electrical Use / Recharging on the Hook Chet White 19:42:26 05/20/01
(0)
Re: PDQ Electrical Use / Recharging on the Hook Dick Monaghan 10:33:32
05/13/01 (0)
Corroded Alternator Connection Roger Ford 07:09:13 05/07/01 (0)
Re: PDQ Electrical Use / Recharging on the Hook David West 06:34:35 05/05/01
(0)
Re: PDQ Electrical Use / Recharging on the Hook Cindy 15:24:13 05/02/01 (0)

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Re: PDQ Electrical Use / Recharging on the Hook

Posted by Chet White on May 20, 2001 at 19:42:00:
In Reply to: PDQ Electrical Use / Recharging on the Hook posted by Roger Ford on
May 02, 2001 at 06:12:00:

I have two 120watt Astro solar panels and this is not enough to power the boat
on the hook in the Bahamas even in bright sun. I need to recharge the two 4D
gels(360AH)about once a week for an hour to 1-1/2hr with the 100a Balmar
Power(5hp Honda direct drive 100a alternator) This is not fun as the unit is
quite noisy and generates a lot of heat. I had tried the portable generator idea
but the charger in the Freedom1000 didn't like the waveform from the generator

I think the addition of a wind generator would balance the equation but I'm not
fond of the noise and egress restricions the pole mounting would cause. I think
for my money another 120watt panel would do the job. The real problem with solar
is that they are seldom oriented to face the sun directly and consequently you
are lucky to average 50% rated output. Of course all this is moot if I motor 5
hours a week.

Follow Ups:

Re: PDQ Electrical Use / Recharging on the Hook

Posted by Dick Monaghan on May 13, 2001 at 10:33:00:
In Reply to: PDQ Electrical Use / Recharging on the Hook posted by Roger Ford on
May 02, 2001 at 06:12:00:

It's been a long time since I did the Amp-hr. calculations, but I have two
Solarex 53 watt panels and a Fourwinds II Wind generator. This system handles
all my needs, except sometimes I have to turn the small Par watermaker off for a
bit and let the system catch up. I've used my Honda 1000 only once, when it was
clowdy with no wind for a couple of days.

Follow Ups:

Corroded Alternator Connection

Posted by Roger Ford on May 07, 2001 at 07:09:00:
In Reply to: PDQ Electrical Use / Recharging on the Hook posted by Roger Ford on
May 02, 2001 at 06:12:00:

Well, thanks to the E-meter, we did discover that only one alternator was
charging. A check of the Yamaha wiring revealed a corroded connection underneath
a lot of heatshrink tubing within the engine housing. A quick splice and we've
added 6 or 7Ah per motoring hour!

Follow Ups:

Re: PDQ Electrical Use / Recharging on the Hook

Posted by David West on May 05, 2001 at 06:34:00:
In Reply to: PDQ Electrical Use / Recharging on the Hook posted by Roger Ford on
May 02, 2001 at 06:12:00:

I have almost identical power sources and loads as you and sail the Chesapeake

I never need to plug in to recharge and the battery levels appear satisfactory

I use the 9.9 HP motors as required when there is no wind. Cruises last a week
or two and I don't calculate my input/ output balance.I keep the boat at anchor
in between. My fridge/ cooler is very well insulated. I hope and expect this
will also run a radar and laptop when installed. I am more concerned about added
weight than power.

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Re: PDQ Electrical Use / Recharging on the Hook

Posted by Cindy on May 02, 2001 at 15:24:00:
In Reply to: PDQ Electrical Use / Recharging on the Hook posted by Roger Ford on
May 02, 2001 at 06:12:00:

Hey Roger,
Doug has obsessively tracked this stuff on our boat in an attempt to (1) make
sure we have enough power to cruise and (2) do it "off the grid" as much as
possible (solar and wind only). We are leaving for Bali tomorrow for our wedding
and honeymoon, but when we get back on May 21st, I am sure he'd love to share
his info on power production vs consumption

We'll send a postcard!!
Cindy & Doug
s/v Neshamah
36003