17:40.833N 41:07.025W
Row Across The Pond
Richard Hoyland and Steve Coe
Tue 16 Feb 2010 18:47
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Steve
Today we have overcast weather which is a pleasant repreive
from the normal searing heat.. There is one down side though!! Our electrics,
including our vital water maker is powered by two large batteries which in
turn are recharged by solar energy.. Cloudy sky equals poor solar
energy, net result is we have to take care around power
consumption. We have two x 110 amp hour batteries, each
weighing approx' 25 kilos, (total, about 20kilos less than me, at least i
contribute to the the boat speed, these are just damm heavy) and three solar
panels facing sun ward.. Additional to the water make, other essential
electrical components are the GPS sat navigation system. This is our primary
form knowing where we are and where we should be going.. (we have back up, the
sun and stars)Linked to this is a repeater system,, (forgive me if i
have gone over this beore) this is used whilst on deck and
relays the GPS info.. This too is usefull if lit at night,, albeit an irritating
red light which dazzles tired eyes into a night time frenzy.. eyes
rolling, head lolling,, i blame the red lights.
Close behind in importance is our deck compass, which of a
night time needs illuminating (also red -standard colour) without
which ,, who knows where we would be going.
We then have our comunications, which includes VHF radio,
AIS (automatic indicating system - identifies us to other shipping in the area
and vice versa) 12 volt charger sockets for laptop, cameras, Ipods etc,,
Finally we have the cabin deck lights and nav
lights..
If we turn them all on at once and leave them on
accidentally,, then have a cloudy day or two,,.... we will get very
thirsty...
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