Hi
It’s been a while since I did a blog. Well I have been busy, not that busy that I could not write a blog, Sue does such a nice job.
When we got here in Grenada we realised we had a power problem. We were not constantly moving and the batteries were not getting the full charge. So we got a Xantrex Smart meter. This has helped us analyse what we should do next. This meter gives you what amperage goes into the batteries and what percentage there is left in the batteries, it also tells you how many amps we are using.
That refrigeration is sure using a lot of power, six amps and it runs about sixteen hrs a day. If you do the maths it adds up to quite a lot of power. We had to decide what we were going to do. The wind generator was not very efficient and we considered changing it. I’m happy we didn’t do it. Instead we got another solar panel and regulator.
The panel is a 240W and the regulator is a Blue Sky the same model I put in originally, so they run together, one is the master and the other as the slave. So know we are getting lots a power during the day at least. It’s 10:30 AM and I’m getting about 30amps in the batteries know and by noon they should be at about 90% full, the last 10% is done at a much slower rate and it is not using the full power from the solar panels, so then I can start the water maker and run it for three hours. We do the water every other day. As you can see we have to constantly keep an eye on the system, but it works on most sunny days.
By the way these project need a lot of planning because the material is not always available here on the Island, and the parts may have to be ordered from the States.
My next move has far as power is concerned is to change my battery charger. It’s a 30amps and it is to slow to charge the batteries using the Honda generator. There is always room for improvement.
I have been helping friends with the installation of solar panel and some refrigeration also. We give each other a hand. A friend’s boat had his steering seizing. We worked on that for three days.
My next project will probably be to start to replace the standing rigging. By that I mean the wire holding the mast. They are 18 years old. They still look good but you cannot wait for them to brake because then it would be a disaster. I’m still at the research stage on that project.
In between these projects there is always time for those cruisers gatherings and the odd beer.