I mean, vacuum cleaner, washing
machine, communication tools, lights,
fans, instruments, watermaker: you name
it, everything electrical that we have.
Now, here is where your change in
habits kicks in. To do this we simply run
electrical items during the day. So: charge
laptops, wash clothes, make water, bake
bread if you have an electric bread maker
all during the day. This ensures that you
have enough battery for night time usage.
We do not have a TV, but our stored
power gives us lights, a stereo or a couple
of movies on the laptop for us when we
are at anchor; plus enough power over to
run our chartplotters and nav. systems
through the night when sailing.
Lights: we changed over to LED. It is
surprising how much power you can save.
Darren tells me the lighting system now
draws only one ampere!
Think about investing in a
Watermaker. This one item has
considerably improved our lives.We looked into a portable generator
version, however did not want to have to
store another item, nor carry the extra
fuel to run it. We also didn’t want to have
to pull out, unpack, hook up, run, then
pack it all down again, just to make water.
We also looked at engine-driven. Lots
of plusses here with the higher output
but, again: fuel, noise etc.
So we have an installed a 12V version
with an output of 30 litres per hour. It
works really well for us. We simply f lick
the switch and run it. About three times
a week say for a couple of hours suits our
needs. Easy.
Now we both shower most days,
although we do not have long showers.
Importantly, we have not run out of water
since this has been installed; nor have we
had to do the dreaded dinghy run to lug
20l Jerry cans.
What I like about having the
watermaker is that we can go to remote
areas and not have to ask them to sharetheir valuable resources with us. We
are privileged to visit amazing places
and communities and do not feel they
should have to supply us because we
choose to go there.
So, investment wise: solar panels $500;
wind generator $1500; regulator $150-
$300; 4x 225ah house batteries $1600;
inverter $300 watermaker $6000.
So, for an investment of a little over $10K
we live completely under our own steam as
far as power and water consumption goes.
I would also add: consider investing
in a wind vane or hydro vane. These are
a fabulous self steering systems that do
not require power. Your instruments and
electronic self steering do consume a lot
of juice.
We have one on our list ... the list ...
the list...HARDSTAND ON THE OCEAN AS
MUCH AS POSSIBLE
Think of jobs that you can do while
onboard. Now I know there are restrictions
for people living in marinas, however I am
talking cruising here.“I COMMENTED TO THE SALESMAN “WOW, HAVEN’T THINGS CHANGED.”
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