My daily electrical needs are pretty modest. I just have one light in the cabin (plus a few stand-alone solar powered lights), one 12 volt plug for charging my cel phone & laptop, and an automatic bilge pump. Sailing the boat requires juice for the VHF radio, GPS, and navigation lights at night. In the future, I hope to install a radar and auto-helm.
At the stern is the 60 watt panel that charges the Pearl's electrical system.
Two 6 volt batteries (golf cart deep cycle variety) have been the Pearl's source of power. They have been working ok but I've been a little apprehensive because they don't seem to hold voltage so well any more. The power adapter to my laptop was failing at night (when the solar panels have no output) and I falsely diagnosed the 6 volt array as faulty. At the same time I was given a big 8D battery, so I hired an electrician for an hour to come give me some advice.
The 8D battery turned out to be a starting battery, not a deep cycle battery.
Although there was some uncertainty about the condition of the 6 volt batteries, I eventually decided to bite the bullet and get new batteries and a new charge controller, without which the new batteries may get spoiled. I went all out and got high end AGM gel batteries that don't vent fumes in the cabin, don't require maintenance, and are less likely to fail if submerged, compared to lead acid batteries (the standard type). I also sold the 8D and the 6 volts to a guy in the harbor.
The 6 volt batteries didn't pass the test but still seemed to work.
Now my task is to re-wire a lot of the boat since it is poorly done. It's good to note that I never had a clue about electrical systems (or any mechanical work, for that matter) prior to living on the boat, so I'm learning as I go with books, advice, and occasionally by hiring help. Ultimately, if I keep the system as simple as possible I have a chance of doing it myself (ie. no 110 volt plugs, as few appliances as possible) which is important because then I can address issues mid-voyage. Simplicity = safety and lower costs too.
The only exception I guess would be if I were to install a fully electric inboard motor, which would require more charging capacity, more batteries, etc... but that possibility is still far in the horizon.
The only exception I guess would be if I were to install a fully electric inboard motor, which would require more charging capacity, more batteries, etc... but that possibility is still far in the horizon.
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