Diesel costs as a live aboard ?

[floatsyourboat]

100amps @24v and Kipor 2kva inverter.

Thanks.

How long did you run the engine for?

[Alan de Enfield]

 

2 k.w. Honda gas conversion genny for charging along with 240 amp solar panels

 

 

Is that a Typo, or do you really have solar panels putting out 240 amps ?

[nb Innisfree]

Thanks.

How long did you run the engine for?

About 2hrs daily, usually coincided with a cruise. We tried to do just a bulk charge, stopping when acceptance voltage was reached. Approx once a week we would follow the usual bulk charge then follow up with the genny for 8hrs, usually finished up with charge amps down to about 2% of batt capacity.

 

ETA: Genny charged via Victron.

Edited September 29, 2014 by nb Innisfree

[Felshampo]

Probably a daft question but has anyone thought of using a fuel cell instead of a diesel genny?

[bottle]

Yes, it has been mentioned on here a few times.

 

Cost was the barrier, I believe.

[Felshampo]

Yes, it has been mentioned on here a few times.

 

Cost was the barrier, I believe.

Initial cost is high but is daily cost any good?

[bottle]

No idea, have not even entertained looking into it.

 

I just know it was mentioned.

[ditchcrawler]

Probably a daft question but has anyone thought of using a fuel cell instead of a diesel genny?

I wonder how you will get on storing the fuel for it when the BSS catches up. At the moment I would think its very much a one off, but when people start carrying gallons of Methanol around that could well change

[floatsyourboat]

How much are these fuel cells?

[nb Innisfree]

I wonder how you will get on storing the fuel for it when the BSS catches up. At the moment I would think its very much a one off, but when people start carrying gallons of Methanol around that could well change

Oh I don't know I reckon business will be booming...

[ditchcrawler]

Oh I don't know I reckon business will be booming...

[cariad]

 

Is that a Typo, or do you really have solar panels putting out 240 amps ?

3x 80 watt panels.

[Grace and Favour]

How much are these fuel cells?

ridiculously expensive

Edited September 29, 2014 by Grace & Favour

[Alan de Enfield]

OK - a Typo - 240 watts not 240 amps. (Big difference - 240 amps at 12v = 2880 watts)

[Mike Tee]

We lived on board for almost 7 years. Nanni 42hp engine, bubble diesel stove in the saloon, Mikuni c/h as and when required. (To be honest, the Mikuni saw very little use, mainly odd days in spring and autumn when it was rather nice to reach over to the remote first thing and take the chill off the boat). Bubble stove was on minimum setting 24/7 during the winter.

 

All electric was off the engine, also powered the large inverter, had washing m/c, microwave etc. Initially (2 years) cc'er, then permanent mooring (no power supplied). Couple of times a year went on a long holiday cruise, so total about 4 weeks doing 8/9 hour per day cruising.

 

Over the whole period, diesel use averaged 1860 litres per year. So at todays rates about £1800 per year, or £150 per month. I reckon thats still cheap for propulsion, heating and electricity for two.

[oarfish]

The only non milspec fuel cells currently available need either methanol or hydrogen. Neither of which are good things to be carrying about and acquiring on a boat. Diesel fuel cells do exist, but are not on the consumer market yet.

There are a couple of startups messing about with butane fuel cells too, but they are aiming for very low power demands like phone / laptop charging.