Wind Hippie Sailing · video

What this video covers

A single-handed sailor upgrades the electrical system on a 27-foot boat in the Tuamotus, French Polynesia, by installing two 50-watt solar panels and two 110-amp-hour Victron AGM batteries.0:03 The project requires sourcing components from Tahiti and transporting them to the remote atoll via cargo ship and aircraft.0:21 The installation involves replacing existing lifelines with custom-cut stainless steel piping to serve as a mounting rail for the panels.3:21 The sailor utilizes a Victron MPPT smart charge controller to manage the power input, opting for AGM batteries over lithium due to the simplicity of the boat's existing systems.7:38 Wiring is routed through existing deck fittings into the quarter berth to connect with the charge controller.16:40 The new 140-watt total solar capacity allows for continuous AIS operation and consistent laptop charging.19:31 Proper drilling technique for stainless steel, including the use of lubricating oil and incremental bit sizing, proves essential for mounting the new stanchions.4:12 Upgrading to AGM batteries provides a maintenance-free, deep-cycle power solution capable of handling high-voltage engine starts.9:18

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