In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, George Pearson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes >OK, my bore glazing question has been answered, and this now leads into >my next question, which relates to the onboard production of AC power.
My view for what its worth. Engines WILL glaze if used at low load conditions, driving a travel power and charging batteries are exactly that. The previous owner of Parglena ruined the engine doing exactly that. The new engine is four years older and in much better condition as it has only been used at near full throttle for the whole of its life so far. As for electricity generation there are two choices. 1: a very large battery bank ( 800Ah at 24v) with inverters ( 3kw plus) and a 5kw genset that charges the batteries directly at whatever voltage is needed but does not produce 240v. 2: reasonable size battery bank with inverter/charger and a 5kva genset that produces 240v which will charge the batteries and run other devices at the same time. I have the second system as it has evolved over the years but if I was starting again I would go for the first one as it has the advantage of being silent except when charging and you can do that at any time rather than being tied to a time when you need to use 240v. It also means that as the genset is designed as a charger it is always working at max possible load and after Nov 2008 will still be able to be run on tax rebated diesel which the main engine will not. -- Julian Tether Barge Parglena e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
