WEsailvideo

Finishing Boat Projects Plus Some Water Play Time | Episode 83

December 16, 2020 · 14 min · 14K views · San Carlos

What this video covers

Warren and Erica upgrade the electrical system on their sailing catamaran by installing a new bank of heavy-duty deep-cycle batteries and three additional solar panels.1:18 The new panels add 600 watts to the existing 780-watt array, bringing the total output to 1,380 watts.2:18 To mount the panels on the Bimini, Warren uses aluminum GoPro mounts as a temporary solution until permanent brackets arrive.1:53 He fabricates custom blind nut holders to secure the hardware in inaccessible areas.3:17 The installation requires drilling through a quarter-inch stainless steel plate and fishing wires through a narrow pipe into the engine compartment.4:07 After completing the wiring, the crew spends a day off swimming with sea lions.11:04 The project aims to eliminate the need for engine-based battery charging and shore power, supporting a goal of limiting annual fuel consumption to a single tank.3:01 Proper planning for electrical redundancy and custom fabrication for tight spaces allows for a cleaner, more reliable off-grid power system.

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