Electricity on yachts or boats can be provided by the main motors, generators, batteries, solar cells, or a combination of the above.Most sailing yachts have an engine alternator as a primary power source, with additional alternative energy sources to top this up and, on occasions, supply all power needs. Also diesel generators were more commonly fitted, sometimes along with other sources such as wind and water turbines, and solar panels. Indeed, wind and water sources were popular in all size ranges except those above 56ft – the larger yachts tended towards shaft generators and solar panels for additional power.
Take in consider that refrigerators on boats are not the same as the one you have at home ! They have no exact temperature cooling abilities. They only cool when the motor is running so consider that your fridge may not keep everything as cold as you like. The fridge and freezer are often combined. So, before you start out with lots of ice in the fridge, run your engine every day to cool off the fridge or you have try to go to places- ports which are equipped with electricity.
Hi Chara, I agree with you, in a nutshell onboard the electricity is completely different (basically it is DC and not AC). I want to add a thing: it is not true that the fridge runs only when the engine is on, it can also be powered with the batteries in DC current. if you keep opening your fridge every second you have to run the engine to recharge your batteries because the fridge keeps cooling, but if you try to open your fridge a few times in a day and the fridge is well insulated the temperature keeps low and the fridge doesn't have to cool every seconds!
Let me know what you think!
When you are out with a boat you have to be able to have the foods and the drinks you want cool. In a sailing boat ( without a generator ) usually the refrigerators use as little power as possible. There are 3 types of fridges. The first that run on 12 Volts DC, 110 Volts AC and an engine-driven compressor. If you have a solar charging system you can charge the batteries and keep your fridge on. So if the weather is sunny you can keep the fridge on because the batteries will be charged from the sun but the night you have to keep it off if you want to start you engines in the morning.If you are mooring to the port at night you can use the shore - power. A good idea is to buy a bag of ice cubes at the start of the day
I think the modern solar panels are better then the once 5 years ago especeally the flexy one, so you can put as many as you can on your boat, this will give plenty of power especeally during daylight. Another think is the battery if yo can afford and install the Lithium polymer once then is a way to go to store as much power as you can.
It is a good idea. During the daylight there is no problem even you use an inverter but the night the consumption are more and if you have and some other electrical equipment like electric WC you have to consider the capacity of the batteries and always check them.