One of the more important concerns for the crew of Harmony relates to energy usage on board and the issue of battery charging. After our experience on our previous boat, Poetry, which was a 1965 Pearson Vanguard, we wanted to use our blank canvas situation on Harmony to our fullest advantage.
On Poetry, we had installed a refrigeration unit. Unfortunately, we were only able to insulate the original "cooler" box just so much. The result was that we had to run the engine 5+ hours every day we used the reefer just to keep the batteries charged. Yes, we had installed a huge battery bank on Poetry to be able to support eventual radar and chart plotting, but the refrigeration was a true hog.
Well, on Harmony we would have 2 separate refrigeration systems: a reefer AND a freezer. In addition to that, Harmony would have pressure water, and a full suite of radar, chart plotting, radios, and auto pilot. We did NOT want to run the engine 30 hours a day to support our existence on the boat. For one it is too much background noise, it uses gallons of diesel fuel, produces lots of exhaust, and the idling of the diesel doesn't do the engine much good.
What to do? While it is easy to ponder solar and wind power, these systems are not panaceas. We could install a diesel generator, but its just another diesel engine which requires space, plumbing, and fuel. So with the counsel of Greg Fledeman, the Boat Doctor, we were able to construct a general plan.
While the energy consumption rates of the basic electrical components are pretty much a given, we could find ways to conserve. First, our refrigeration systems would consist of Frigoboat keel coolers and well insulated boxes. Second, we would install a complete suite of LED lights for both internal and external needs. Third, we would install both solar and wind charging systems.
Even in our targeted Northeast Atlantic cruising grounds, these two systems should be able to provide enough energy during a normal sunny/windy day to power the entire boat including auto pilot. We do expect to run the engine at least 30 minutes a day when entering and leaving a harbor. So, the engine will mostly be used for propulsion. Great!
The solar panels will be mounted at the stern on davits, which will also be used to get the dinghy out of the water and off the deck for coastal cruising. Additional solar panels will be mounted on the bimini top. The challenge with all solar panels is that their efficiency diminishes so much when the shade from sails or spars occludes the panel surfaces.
The wind generator, brand to be chosen later, will be mounted on the mizzen mast above the radar dome. The concern here relates to the risk to life and limb should one of the generator blades break and rain down upon those in the cockpit. At the advice of the davit fabricator, Kato Marine, we decided to not mount the unit on the davits: too much vibration. However, the radar dome should deflect the brunt of the debris should such a catastrophic failure occur.
OK, we now know how we're going to charge the batteries without burdening the diesel engine. We can be comforted that we're being more environmentally responsible and limiting our reliance on the proverbial "grid". Ahh, doomsday preppers we're not, at least not yet!!!
More on these elements when we get to the installation process.
Fair Winds and Following Seas!
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