Let there be light

[phil416]

After recoring the decks, and installing the Yanmar 2-Gm 13 it was time to address the rats nest that passed for wiring.  Step one was planning.  On hand were 2 32-watt unisolar flex panels with charge controller and 2 Deka GC bateries to supply the house. Refrigeration was out or the question.  The nav lights, and reading lights were converted to led, while area lighting was flourescent.  I chose #10 wire for all loads > 1 amp and #14 for loads < 1 amp to give voltage drops of less than 3%.  I like buss systems, and Copper bars from a scrap yard made great buss bars.  Ground busses  ran to the 4 corners of the boat / #10 wire, cabin lights were also bussed. A Guest 10 amp charger provided shore power. I chose Raymarine st-40 depth/speed as the best comprmise of power and performance. The net result was nightime draws of 0.7 amps with nav lights, vhf, Ais, nightlight, and all instrumentation running.  Shore power was asimple 15 amp system. For engine starting I chose a group 27 deep cycle, wired separately and charged via a Blue Seas Charge relay. I chose deep cycle as an emergency house back-up.  During 2 years of cruising this system poved bullet proof, never allowing the batts to drop below 90%. Fair winds  Phil

[s/v Faith]

Wow,

  700ma total nighttime load!  That is fantastic.

The net result was nightime draws of 0.7 amps with nav lights, vhf, Ais, nightlight, and all instrumentation running.

  Great detailed post for a KISS electrical system. 

Is the AIS receiver separate, or is it one of those SH 2150s?

[Captain Smollett]

Excellent.

Gives me added confidence in my chosen electrical system design.  All LED's for cabin lights, LED nav lights and even fewer electrical instruments than you are operating.  However, I am trading that with perhaps more occasional charging of ancillary equipment - shortwave/ssb receiver, cameras, etc.

I believe this kind of data, your measurements that is, vindicates my decision to drop the $$ on all LED lighting.

[s/v necessity]

Is that 700ma total or 700ma/Hr ?  Either way it's impressive one more-so than the other....  That's with the Vhf on all night?

[phil416]

Sorry folks for the confusion.  The nightime draw is 700ma/hr for a total of 8.4 amps per 12 hours. I also neglegted to mention the Garmin GPS-72 which runs 24/7.  On a typical day the charge rate goes positive at about 09:00 hrs and builds to about 4.0 amps for the 1 hr either side of local noon, and then tapering away at nearly the same rate.  An AM/FM tape stereo system, and a SSB receiver are occasional loads.  The main use of the ssb is for time ticks and and the bbc news.  The occasional loads are restricted to when batteries are near 100%, which is most of the time.  On a typical sunny day these panels provide about 14-20 amp/hrs of power depending on sun orientation.  With the solar panels mounted to the dodger top your tack can have a dramatic effect on output.  These panels are amorphous and shade tolerant otherwise I could not get away with this set-up.  A word about the NASA instrument AIS receiver.  This device sounded an alarm whenever a ship came to within 16 miles of Deep Blue.  The peace of mind was well worth the power draw.  AS my vessel undergoes refit in Solomons Md. I will add a tri-color light to the mast head.  The standard nav lights are too close to the water to be seen by ships.  If you are in the area you can see Deep Blue at Harbor Island Marina.  Just look for the Red Green Craftsmans Club sign.   Feel free to ask questions  Phil

[phil416]

One more detail before we leave this thread.  Like so many vessels the Tritons came with a deck stepped mast.  Leading mast wiring into the interior always presents problems.  Several approaches on other boats had proven expensive and unreliable. Water just gets everywhere.   For this installation I removed the Mast base and installed a 1" thru hull about 9 " above the base.  Another was installed thru the cabin top.  A short piece of hose made a neat conduit.  Before reinstalling the base a loop was put in the wire harness and lead into the conduit.  With the base back in the mast a small weep hole was made just above the base.   A terminal  strip on the v-berth bulkhead completed the installation.  Bottom line no leaks, no shorts, and protected wires.   Everything disconnects easily.  Hope this helps.  Phil

[CharlieJ]

Hey Phil-

Sitting here in Point Lookout marina, talking to a guynamed Mike,'says he's a good friend of yours. Also known as Blizz.

Small world eh?

[phil416]

Charlie;  I have known Mike for years, one of the last of the genuine old school Chesapeake watermen.  How is his Egg Harbor coming along?   When you get to Solomons the best Anchorage is deeper in the harbor up near the Holiday Inn.  Easy access to west Marine and restraunts etc. Happy hour at the bar features $1.50 beer and .50 wings.  Harbor Island is the cheapest marina.  Looking forward to your critique of Deep blue. Phil 

[phil416]

     Need to make up a battery cable?  I have found that my hand Nicro-press tool works very well. Be sure to coat and use heat shrink on the connection.  Phil