Energy Management

When it comes to the freedom and flexibility of sailing, there's nothing quite like it. The ability to drop anchor and stay away from the harbor for extended periods is a true luxury. However, achieving this level of independence from essentials like diesel, water, and electricity is a sailor's challenge. While sailors who frequent different ports may not be bothered by these concerns, for those embarking on long-distance bluewater sailing, self-sufficiency becomes paramount. In this article we share our experience using different systems on SY Ambra including power and fuel consumption, solar power and lithium batteries. In addition we cover alternative systems, please click below for more information: -Wind generators -Hydrogenerators -Fuel cells and biofuels -Electric propulsion systems Power Consumptions and Demand Today sailors install and enjoy all kind of luxury and additional power hungry systems. We all like a cool drink, the benefits of a dish washer or washing machine, 110/220V power plugs to charge Laptops, tablets or communication devices such as Starlink. To dimension the onboard energy system correctly, it's crucial to assess the energy consumption of all appliances and devices on board. You need to make a list of all devices on board, the number of hours you are going to use them while sailing or on anchor to estimate the average power consumption. This will help you to determine your average power consumption and the size of your batteries and generators. Here is a list of appliances you should look at: Modern technology, like LED lighting, allows for significant energy savings. For instance, a 4-watt LED tricolor light at 24 volts consumes only around 0.2 amperes per hour, in stark contrast to three navigation lights, which could draw 3 amperes per hour along with the possibility of additional deck lights. Instruments, while sailing your plotter [...]