As previously said, we have moved many of the controls and switches to the Wheelhouse. We are not completely changing out the systems. We are just getting the controls in a central location so we can reduce the crew count so as to make this effort a self-sustaining enterprise. In addition, we have added an emergency, LED lighting system that illuminates the engine room, galley and passage ways.
We have a deep bench In terms of redundancy. Our primary electrical source are two Kohler generators running in parallel that produce about 40KW each (80KW in total). We can squeak by with 40KW in most situations. Should both Kohlers go down, we have one of the original Detroit Diesels available at the turn of a switch which produces 100KW. We are working on a house battery bank that sits between the generators and the main AC distribution panels. Lastly, we have an uninteruptable power supply for the wheel house. The idea is that this last system will power the radios, emergency lighting, etc. the the event of the most dire emergency.
Batteries
There is a lot of information on the internet regarding lithium ion batteries vs. lead-acid batteries. So, we are not going into all the details. Fir does not care too much about battery weight and size because we have plenty of room and carrying capacity. But, lithium ion batteries charge more quickly, last longer, and can be discharged to a much lower level. If you baby your lead acid batteries then you can only draw them down to about half their rated capacity. A lithium ion battery can safely be drawn down to nearly zero so you get the amount of energy suggested by the sticker.
After some study, we decided to go with a unit from BigBattery.com. Their cost per KW is among the lowest available. They are serviceable meaning you can crack the case and replace a single cell if something goes wrong. They have an on/off switch and Anderson connectors (like the ones you see on electric golf cart chargers) which allows you to safely take the battery offline. The build quality appears above average based on several internet videos where users tear down battery units and examine the internal components.
We decided on two _____________. Each unit produces 288 amp hours at 24 volts for a total of 6 kilowatts. This is sufficient to run the wheelhouse electronics and emergency lighting for days. Each battery pack is about $2,000 delivered.
DC Distribution
We decided to go with a largely Victron system based on our own positive experience. Victron offers a modular distribution system. The Lynx Distributor is a fused DC busbar. We purchased two. One for the batteries to enter the bus bar. One for the DC current leaving the busbar. All the connections to the Lynx Distributors are fused so this is a fully protected system. Between the two Distributors is a Lynx shunt.
The shunt is basically a counting device. When the system is drawing down the batteries, the shunt measures the amount of energy going from the battery bank to the load. This coupled with battery voltage allows the Victron controller (Cerbo in our case) to determine that amount of power left in the battery. The reverse is also true. The shunt measures the amount of energy moving from the charger or alternative energy source to the battery.
The Victron Lynx system is modular so the 2 Lynx Distributors and Lynx shunt fit together with 8mm bolts such that the system looks like a single unit. This allows for a clean and organized installation.
Photovoltaic Sources
Fir has a lot of potential space for a solar farm. But, maximizing solar energy would
Charger/Inverter