During the last 45 days we had not faced any electricity problems. The weather during all this time was 70% of calms or very light wind so the motor was used for long periods, The batteries were charged continuously. During one of the long passages using only sails we noticed that the service batteries decreased in capacity faster so we used the diesel generator. The idea of a Wind Turbine Generator was thought extensively and after reading the blog of Malaika5 a Beneteau 50 decided to install a wind generator.
Paolo Liberati had done the ARC 2008 and then continued round the world.
I had met him in a seminar for the ARC so we had some correspondence here and then and I had written to him:
‘’Hello from Greece (hadn’t left yet and I was finishing my preparations)
It is a pleasure too to read your web diary. I use Google translator and read most of your writings from Italian to English. The fish you get is amazing!!
I am a bit concerned about the electricity of my boat and when I read your mail, I realize that we are in a similar situation
So I am thinking of a spare alternator and a double charger.
I depend on the generator a Pagurro 4000 and have no wind charger nor solar panels. The days come closer to the departure and I feel I am not ready and will never start,
surely you know my feelings. Hopefully by end of next week I will know more precise the situation and the trials hopefully will not change my plans.
Best Regards from Greece, I will send you my blog before I sail, I will use mailasail.com too
One question: do you use your SSB for your emails? or the iridium?’’
Dimitris
His Reply:
‘’Dear Dimitris,
nice to hear from you. We are just arrived to Tuamotu. A tough sailing from Marquises, close hauled and wind at 20 plus knots. Do not believe who say that sailing in ocean waters is just down wind and no changes to the sails. We tucked and adjusted our sails hundred times!
Regarding you boat's equipment I confirm that electrical supply system is one of the most critical part, together with a good self steering system.
In addition to the generator you should have a strong alternator, better two, and a powerful battery charger. Plus a wind generator or solar panels, or both. And now I have a new recommendation: a very strong inverter, at least 3,500 watt, so that you can use the water maker with the batteries and the engine running, in case your generator fails, like now in our case.
And two self steering systems in parallel (one electrical and one hydraulic) or if this is not possible at least a spear electrical drive unit.
I know that all this will add up to you budget but once you are in the sea and you have problems, you would like to spend hundred times more and have the problems solved.
Keep me informed.
Ciao
Paolo
SY MALAIKA5’’
After a long search of products I decided to go for an AIR X Marine 400 with a slim profile that gives 25 A maximum at 20-25 knots of wind.
I ordered it from Tenerife where the price was lower than mainland Spain and the product arrived in Fuengirola. Yesterday I prepared all the electrical wiring and today I installed the tower. Tomorrow I will finish the Tower details and I will assembly the blades on the rotor and the hub when the new crew arrives in Estepona.
