Hey Noel, You have to sit down and figure out your usage. To the exact figure and no less.
You are not going to get anywhere with wind generators or solar panels if trying to run electric baseboard heaters. I think Norm summed that up pretty well when writing of his needs, which are quite minimal. Anyway, if you don't have a genset, you're going to need one. Figure out the diesel usuage to get the amps you need...the cost... and then you can compare apples to apples. Don't forget to include dinghy dockage, fuel and maintenance for the outboard, foul weather clothing for you and the family, and at what cost is the trade-off of convenience vs. gross inconvenience (living at a marina vs. living on the hook/mooring) worth it? For me, after spending four years at marinas we couldn't wait to get off the grid and out and about. Solar panels and a K.I.S.S. wind generator, along with a Honda EU2000I (runs our central air) help a lot...but we still use the engine from time to time. Our power needs are quite high for only two people, but our computers run 24/7, reefer and freezer 24/7, and I'm just plain spoiled...but I really try not to overdo things. The bottom line is that I live in the Keys and don't have to deal with heating, albeit the central air does come on during the summer months. However, when I exceed a certain economic range when running my A/C...I bite my lip and pull into a marina for the hottest months of summer. Mind you, I love living on the hook or mooring...love it. But I also work onboard and never really am in a situation when I must leave the boat. That's a blessing! I'd suggest a different method of heating your boat, along with tons of insulation before doing anything else...then see where you are. Life on the hook or mooring with a baby in tow can get old quickly. Especially in the winter! Think it over really carefully, Noel. You want your family to be happy. Who really cares that the receptionist/bookkeeper/Bad Lady is not? LOL Let her complain and keep your family smiling! Big Hugs, Charmaine From: "Noel Russell" <[email protected]> > To: "liveaboard" <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 10:08 AM > Subject: [Liveaboard] Getting off the electric grid! > > > > Ok, Enough is enough. Wife got yelled at by the > > receptionist/bookkeeper/Bad Lady (kids statement next day at daycare) > > with our child in tow because she did not like our electric bill > > payment. Tirade was not good and I am dealing with that end. However, > > how hard is it to go off grid? Our stinkpot has room for 2 wind > > generators and some solar panels, so what am I looking at doing? Also, > > right in front of the water heater is room for another battery bank :D . > > > > Think of it this way... $600 a month in electric if not more during the > > winter so.... > > > > Noel > > > > BTW, The marina is Lincoln Harbor Yacht Club in NJ _______________________________________________ Liveaboard mailing list [email protected] To adjust your membership settings over the web http://www.liveaboardnow.org/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard To subscribe send an email to [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] The archives are at http://www.liveaboardnow.org/pipermail/liveaboard/ To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] The Mailman Users Guide can be found here http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html
