So Much To Say, So Little Time
So many things happen out here… but alot of the time is the same old: sailing, motoring, raising sails, dropping sails, hauling the anchor, setting the anchor, washing dishes, making dinner, eating too many cookies, washing more dishes, naviguessing, sleeping, working, spending money I don’t have, etc etc etc…
Having a career that is transportable like graphic design has its pros and cons. On one hand I’m out here doing it NOW. Not waiting, saving, suffering through another day at the office dreaming of a different life. But I’m not out here, living the carefree cruising life either. I work along the way. I work while I sail when conditions permit. I work at anchor. I work in the early morning before I haul back, I work late at night after a full days sail. I work whenever I can fit in a few minutes behind this wretched machine. I enjoy the challenge of it all I suppose. But no one else out here cruising is working. They are all retired, or on sabbatical, like our friends Chad and Nicole, who saved up some money, enough for 1-2 years and are out here – just cruising. Must be nice.
The Chesapeake is over. We’re onto the our third Chartkit already. Our first month has come and gone, we’re into week 6 now. I’ve changed the oil once, and filled my diesel tank twice. I’ve spent approx. $800 on cruising related items: food, fuel, entertainment, and parts during this first month. Is this the cost of cruising?
It’s an interesting life. Right now, my alternator is ashore being repaired. I broke a belt the other day, and so began watching the temperature at the alternator pulley very closely. The temperature ranges from 350-425ºF. The charging amperage dropped to anywhere between 0 and 8 amps. Something is drastically wrong here. My batteries are at 11.6 volts tonight, with no way to charge them. Again, something is drastically wrong here. This months budget is shot already… new alternator, new batteries, new cell phone — oh did I forget to mention that broke too? I love sailing.
Ben: Accurate battery voltage can only be measured after the battery has “rest” for at least 20 minutes without a load on it. Also after the battery is charged, there is a surface charge on the plates. To obtain an accurate reading after charging a battery, the surface charge must be removed by applying a load to the battery for a few minutes, then letting the battery “rest” without a load before measuring voltage. Because batteries are the heart of a boat’s 12V electrical system it is almost impossible to obtain an accurate voltage measurement when sailing or cruising. “True” voltage can be estimated by adding 0.08 to the voltage measured by a voltmeter. I usually add 0.1 to the voltage reading to obtain an estimate of battery’s voltage, i.e. charge state.
% charge – Voltage 12V system (http://www.trojanbattery.com/ProductLiterature/documents/UsersGuide_0109_English_001.pdf)
100 – 12.73
090 – 12.62
080 – 12.50
070 – 12.37
060 – 12.24
050 – 12.10
040 – 11.96
030 – 11.81
020 – 11.66
010 – 11.51
[For a flood -wet - cell 12V battery system]
The above is a reasonable estimate of start of charge but is not an indicator of battery capacity. As an example, an old battery rated when new at 200 amp-hour may only have a capacity of let’s say 100 amp-hour, hence when charged to 100%, the voltage would still read 12.73V but the number of usable amp-hours would still be 50% less than when the battery was new.
Although flood cell battery technology is over 100 year old and very well developed there is still a lot of “electrickery” in a battery.
Ben,
When I woke up this morning, I saw your boat anchored in Hampton Creek. I recognized the bow as that was all I could see from my window. Curious as I am, I had to walk down the dock to see if it was really you. Sure enough, I could see you and Teresa too. I’ve quietly read your adventures and it sure was nice to actually see your boats.
If your boat was pointing downstream, our dock would be off your starboard bow. Anyway, the way our condo works, is we have a dock and I can invite guests to tie up. First three days are free, and the next seven are $20/night. There is limited electricity and good water, and you and Teresa are more than welcome to tie up. I have a shower at the condo if either are inclined, and it might make it easier to work on your boat while tied up rather than anchored.
Also, if you or Teresa need a ride somewhere, I can help you out there too.
Let me know.
Steve
Steve, your offer to Ben and Teresa is very kind and thoughtful. We hosted them in Baltimore. They are really cool and awesome.
Ben,
It sure sounds like your alternator belt is slipping. Are you using one of those notched belts? I don’t remember if you are using the basic Yanmar alternator, or a high-output alternator? A Gates green stripe belt is the way to go.
I agree with Rod that if you are reading your voltage while your laptop etc. is drawing current, the battery’s actual (resting) voltage is a fair bit higher. How many hours a day are you charging your batteries? I assume you have a refrigeration drain?
Dan
Hurry up and get Elizabeth to Elizabeth city.
I got the Alternator rebuilt for $140. All is fixed! The alternator shaft was wobbling when I spun it by hand. Bearings I suppose. Anyways, it’s all reinstalled and working great. No more belt dust, normal belt temps, and good charging.
Alternator is a Ample Power 137/116 amp alernator = very high output. Current belt is Yanmar OEM. So far so good. I have 2 spares.
Thanks for the info on batts Rod and Dan, I will be checking them out. They had a good charge overnight on shore power, and todays run through the Dismal Swamp underpower gave them even more juice. Let’s see how well they hold it.
And huge thanks to Steve for the dock, the shower, the ride to the alternator shop and including us in his dinner plans – amazing guy he is!
Ben,
It’s great to hear that you are back in charging mode, alternator-wise. Shaula’s alternator is also an Ample Power, the next size down I think. You may have told me, but do you limit your alternator’s output?
I still think you should change to Gates green stripe belts. They make better contact with the pulleys, with less belt tension, which reduces friction on the alternator’s bearings. How much use did your alternator have before its problem? Seems like your bearings should have lasted for many years if the belt wasn’t slipping and had the correct tension and good alignment.
Dan
All the sailing magazines, that I read for eleven years, while I was preparing to cut those dock lines, never prepared me for how much work that is needed to go , and or while , cruising,,,,,,,, so ,,, welcome to the club !
It is the most difficult thing to do, to work out there, while cruising ,,, even just washing yourself, or the dishes, can be that extra work that “breaks the camel’s, back” .
You and “T” , have been pushing soooo hard , for sooo long ,,,, I hope you, do get a chance, soon , to take a real long break , and refresh yourselves .
If it was easy ,,,, everyone would be doing it ,,, but we wouldn’t want that, would we ?
By all standards , you guys are doing great ,,,, Hang In There ,,,,, there is more to come !