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Post by Mr Stabby on Jan 10, 2019 17:30:45 GMT
Just a quick question for liveboards who use their engine to keep the batteries charged and supply hot water while moored, approximately how many litres of diesel do you get through a month?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2019 17:36:48 GMT
Use about 8 litres a day, also provides heating though. Doesn't make much difference whether I move or not at this time of year. Not sure how that compares to others...
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Post by naughtyfox on Jan 10, 2019 17:40:23 GMT
I thought Stabby had a generator for providing 240v? Via battery charger via batteries -> 12v = no need to run engine at all?
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Post by kris on Jan 10, 2019 17:44:07 GMT
Approximately 1lt an hour.
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Post by Mr Stabby on Jan 10, 2019 17:57:47 GMT
I thought Stabby had a generator for providing 240v? Via battery charger via batteries -> 12v = no need to run engine at all? That was the plan, but it uses so much petrol (a gallon will run it for 2.5 hours) that it is impractical to run it for everyday use, although with an output of 5.5 kWh it is still very handy for running power tools, vacuum cleaner and the other things with my rather puny 350w inverter turns its nose up at.
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Post by peterboat on Jan 10, 2019 17:58:39 GMT
None as I have no engine:)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2019 18:08:32 GMT
I use African dwarves on a large scale hamster wheel arrangement linked to a permanent magnet generator made in China.
The body heat is hived off to produce warm water for them. As I do not wash I do not require heated water.
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Post by naughtyfox on Jan 10, 2019 18:11:06 GMT
I calculated that driving our boat we use roughly 0.5 litres/hour - that was counted from tanking up at Great Haywood to tanking up at Overwater Marina, Audlem. Idling probably 0.25 litres/hour. What would be great for boaters is if there was a battery service - someone comes by van to remove your spent batteries and takes them away to be charged up, and gives you temporary batteries for a week. A service charge, of course. Wouldn't it also be good if batteries could be installed easily - just pull out and plug in? None of this attaching shoes and having sparks fly all round the engine 'ole?
Reading Magnetman's lucid ramblings, I am again encouraged to say that I think a bicycle inside your boat which you can pedal in the evenings for fitness (it's attached to a dynamo/generator/alternator) whilst watching TV would produce enough electricity to keep your batteries happy.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2019 18:19:00 GMT
Yes it would be quite handy to have hot swappable batteries. Cartridges.
If the canals are eventually returned to sensible management involving lengthsmen with residential moorings (a system which is used on the Chelmer and Blackwater canal) then it would make sense for this lengthsman, who has mains electric, to have battery cartridges available for passing boaters. You could order them on the phone and collect when passing the boat. Obviously at certain times of day when the lengthsman is having a meal or playing with his phone.
Expanded out systemwide it could be quite a nice solution.
I always find it slightly ironic that boats moored opposite me have to run their engines when I have mains leccy.
I don't want to plug my power into their boats on a wander lead but a battery rental system adds up.
They do it with electric cars after all.
It would be a very definite Good Thing once large numbers of boats start to be electrically propelled and a corresponding improvement in battery technology arrives plus lower cost per watt-hour for lightweight modern techology such as Lithium Ion.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2019 18:36:45 GMT
I've never bothered to count diesel consumption.
I can't see that there's anyway to use less ... you have to use what you use to achieve what you require.
I prefer to only run the engine when cruising, but at this time of year that's difficult to do.
Three to four hours of engine is plenty. I split it between morning and evening.
Soon be spring and we can cruise properly.
Rog
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Post by naughtyfox on Jan 10, 2019 18:38:12 GMT
When are CRT going to provide electric points for charging your electric boat? At visitors moorings. Not very far-sighted are they? Oh look! Another breach!
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Post by naughtyfox on Jan 10, 2019 18:39:54 GMT
I prefer to only run the engine when cruising, but at this time of year that's difficult to do. As you'll see from our photos, it is indeed very difficult to go cruising at this time of year.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2019 18:42:17 GMT
I'm sure electric points will turn up however there will be a negative side to this which is that the sites with electric will no longer be free moorings. Once you install services I reckon you can charge a mooring fee (service charge) which would apply whether or not you actually use the electric .
Seems the obvious way ahead for excessively popular spots in towns.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2019 18:42:33 GMT
I meant, limited daylight hours, depending on your location running into stoppages, poor weather etc. etc.
Rog
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2019 18:45:11 GMT
You can normally work around stoppages. Obviously it was a while ago but when I was cruising the system in the late 90s and early 00s we would be boating all year round including in ice. Stoppages are announced in advance and you can plan accordingly. Normally.
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