Comments for Sailing SV Tengah

Comment on Converting our Amel 54 to lithium batteries by Peter Langmead

Peter Langmead — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 16:01:14 +0000

Thoroughly enjoyed this piece, remarkably close to my own plans for SM2000 or 54 – more below. Two points: I have my office and house running on solar with a hybrid system. I have my PVs in series, 2p x 3s x 330W on the house because my MPPT takes 3 x 47v Open Circuit, ie c. 145v OC, with a charge start voltage of 30v or something on a 48v system, so my PVs charge even when quite dark or cloudy – it is getting dark and still doing 49v. (Our rains can be no sun for 2 weeks or so. You’ll note your Victron MPPT is 150/40 or something, so it will take 145v OC from PVs. Check it out from Victron. 2. I was onto the imbalance of the lighter batteries: I am planning on using a 5kVA DC generator, 200kg lighter than the Onan 11kVA and massively more efficient, like 95% instead of 60%, see polarpower.com. I am not done on this yet and still looking at electric propulsion as well. We’re starting next August, covid regs willing. I am a bit unsure about the furling on the 54. Any opinion? See you’re out today. Good sailing. Best from deepest land-locked Africa.

Comment on Converting our Amel 54 to lithium batteries by svtengah

svtengah — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:12:29 +0000

In reply to Robert Weinberg.

Hi Robert,

The “Smart” designation on any Victron product just means you can connect directly to it via bluetooth, so the Smart BP would still be limited in terms of amperage.

Regarding your suggestion about the dump diversion resistor, our problem is with low cell voltage. If the BMS tells the alternator to stop charging due to high cell voltage or high temperature, I have actually found a way to stop the alternator from charging, safely. This is because the Mastervolt alternator charge controller has the capability to stop charging without damaging the alternator. If you need more info on that, I am happy to expand.

Victron’s answer to low cell voltage is to use the BP-220 and disconnect the loads, which isn’t the greatest idea IMO. What if we’re in a storm, sailing with low battery and would rather not start the genset because of the motion and the batteries happen to be severely imbalanced and even though average state of charge is say 25%, one of the 24 cells has low cell voltage?

Victron’s solution would cut off all power to the boat to save the battery. In a storm we would lose nav, autopilot, lights and comms! We would rather start charging to solve the low cell voltage condition.

The reason why we turn off the chargers when starting the genset is to allow the oil to circulate for 30 seconds or so before imposing a 5kw + load. This is recommended by Onan. The same with shutdown – we turn off the charger and let the genset idle for a minute to cool down. Again, per Onan’s recommendation.

I have mapped out the logic steps for the percent stop-start charging with warm up and cool down period. I just have to sit down and try it out! 🙂

Comment on Converting our Amel 54 to lithium batteries by Robert Weinberg

Robert Weinberg — Thu, 28 May 2020 23:02:09 +0000

Thanks for the info. We are currently changing to Victron Lithiums with Quattro and Onan. Your work through has been most illuminating. I imagine the new Smart Battery protect would have the same problem as the old BPS-200. We also have a wind generator. Our best bet we hope, to keep it from freewheeling, is a dump diversion resistor system. Probably put a Cyrix-Li-Charge on it too as a back-up. Wondering if a dump diverter might not be such a bad idea as a backup on the alternator?
Thanks for all the info. We are hoping for the Pacific in 2022.
Forgot to ask. Why do you disconnect your chargers when you start the gensat?
And did you have any luck in the programming effort for the percent start-stop charging?

Comment on A small taste of Sailing in Greece by svtengah

svtengah — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 17:57:35 +0000

In reply to Steve Gallacher.

Hey Steve/Jacqui, congrats for deciding to take the plunge. You won’t regret it.

We know exactly how you feel as we went through the same experience. I’m glad that our videos have shown you a slice of what cruising life is all about. As you probably already know, owning and operating a sailboat isn’t all sunsets and beaches but the hard work makes the abundant moments of bliss even more enjoyable.

I read a quote that captures the joy of cruising quite well and I hope it removes any lingering doubt you have about diving in: “To live aboard a well found boat and cruise in her over long distances is to experience a sense of independence and freedom that is almost beyond description. The petty annoyances of land fall away, you live by the look of the sky, of the wind and of the run of the sea.”

Keep in touch and let’s try to have a sundowner on your boat in the near future. Somewhere warmer than Toronto, however. 😉

Comment on A small taste of Sailing in Greece by Steve Gallacher

Steve Gallacher — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 15:05:41 +0000

Hey Scott, Mei, we are s/v Refuge, Steve & Jacqui based in Toronto Canada and T-minus 6 months away from casting off on our own adventure to the Caribbean. Just like Mei I have dreamt about this from the time I was a teen. Now that it’s imminent I have these moments of doubt but I must tell you both that after seeing your blog and videos it really encourages me to just go for it! Great site guys, great videos and a great cause too!! Hoping we get to cross paths along the way.

Wishing Tengah fair winds!

Cheers.

Steve, Jacqui sv Refuge.