[Public-List] Electricity Consumption

[Gordon Laco via Public-List]

Hello Jonathan – 

Back in the ‘90’s when overseeing the refit of STV PATHFINDER, the sail training brigantine, we did a lot of investigating about charging needs.   We came to the conclusion that running the main engine for an hour each day was completely sufficient for charging needs, and was also very good for the engine.  We put a second high capacity alternator on the engine, and did away with the gen set.  

Gord #426 Surprise

On 2017-03-17, 2:07 PM, "Public-List on behalf of Jonathan Bresler via Public-List" <public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org on behalf of public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

    Did a back of the envelope calculation to see how much power Constance
    might use in a 24 hour day of inshore cruising.  A day of inshore cruising
    being defined as 16 hours of sailing and 8 hours anchored.
    
    What surprised me was the total usage....about 480 watt-hours,  which given
    8 hours of sunshine on a panel derated by 50% means about 120 watt worth of
    solar panels are required. Holy Cow!     By way of comparison, the
    alternator may generate 55 or 80 amps when running full out, which could
    address the electrical need in less than an hour if it could/would run full
    out for that length of time.   Guess this is the argument for external
    regulation.
    
    Guessing that one conclusion is "turn off the GPS, turn it on when needed
    only".   Offshore turn off the GPS but for obtaining a fix every xxx hours,
    say every four or eight hours.
    
    Note: no allowance for a tiller pilot or other electrically power steering
    device.
    
    Thoughts ?
    
    Jonathan
    
    Single Day Estimated Electrical Consumption assuming 16 hours of sailing
    and 8 hours anchored
    ItemReferenceWattageTimeEnergy
    Anchor Light AquaSignal 20 <http://www.aquasignal.com.au/series-20/> 5W 8hr
    40Wh
    Sidelights AquaSignal 25 <http://www.aquasignal.com.au/series-25-standard/>
    10W 2hr 20Wh
    Sternlight AquaSignal 25 <http://www.aquasignal.com.au/series-25-standard/>
    10W 2hr 20Wh
    Steaming Light ML-2 Combination Deck / Steaming Light
    <http://www.forespar.com/products/sail-combination-deck-bow-light.shtml> 10W
    1hr 10Wh
    Deck Light ML-2 Combination Deck / Steaming Light
    <http://www.forespar.com/products/sail-combination-deck-bow-light.shtml> 20W
    1hr 20Wh
    Compass Navigator Bulkhead Mount compass
    <http://www.ritchienavigation.com/research-compasses/compass-by-series/navigator/navigator-bulkhead-mount/>
    10W 2hr 20Wh
    Depth Sounder ST 40 Depth <http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=1089> >1W 16hr
    16Wh
    GPS GPSMAP 192C
    <https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/marine/discontinued/gpsmap-192c/prod319_010-00431-00.html>
    10W 16hr 160Wh
    Knotmeter ST 40 Speed <http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=1089> >1W 16hr 16Wh
    Wind Indicator ST 60+ Wind <http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=595> >1W 16hr
    16Wh
    VHF VHF 600
    <http://newcontent.westmarine.com/content/documents/pdfs/OwnersManuals/ELECTRONICS/VHF/WM-600%20Manual.pdf>
    ~6W
    recv 16hr 96Wh
    Interior Lights
    Radio
    TV
    Total 434Wh
    Total w/o GPS 274Wh
    
    -- 
    Jonathan M Bresler
    S/V Constance Alberg 30 #262
    Annapolis/Eastport MD
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