Alternative Power
One of the nice things about living on a boat is that alternative energy sources can be used.Do I need an engine at all?
This is an interesting question if we use an electric drive, do we need to have a generator at all?There is an implication on the range of travel, with a maximum on a reasonable ish battery bank appearing to be about 6 hours at full speed.
This would be 6 hours with the engine running, with out any charging. But when the boat is in a lock for example then the engine is not running.
But then will there be enough of an overnight charge to give another 6 hours the following day?
My thoughts are that we would require two battery banks, one for the engine, and one for living.
Many people have told me that solar / wind is enough for the auxillary items, but then there is a charge when the engine is running whilst travelling.
| Speed (Mph) | Power Used (kW) | Hours (880 Ah Batteries) | Hours (1200 aH Batteries) |
| 2 | 0.75 | 38 | 51 |
| 3 | 2.5 | 12 | 16 |
| 4 | 6 | 4.5 |
Small generator to charge the batteries?
OK the engine is still diesel, but some solar panels and wind generators are a good improvement to mean you are not tied to needing power.This would mean that under lots of cruising or if there is no wind or solar or external hook up that the generator can be used to top up all the batteries.
I believe this is the ultimate in compromise.