We received a lengthy and very useful comment from Peter on nb Kelly Louise about our pick of the week. This was the very reason I started keeping this blog, in the hope that we'd get comments and learn along the way.
We only started to learn something about boat electrics on our last trip by interrogating any broker who was willing to chat. The most helpful of them in this regard also suggested the "travelpower" unit and gave us a talk about pure sine wave inverters (vague memories of high school science class). We need to read more about this because it's something we knew little about. We'd like to find out the cost of a "travelpower" unit - can anyone tell us?
We are keeping in mind the extras we'd have to pay for when looking at the price of the boat. The cratch is another item we often find we'd need to spend money on. I definitely want it glazed and covered - to be able to see out and for the purpose of drying washing. I'd prefer the cover to have clear "windows" on the side with roll up canvas panels but we wouldn't likely spend the money to change this if all else was suitable.
The cross bed vs. inline bed debate is interesting. I can understand a cross bed not being practical for somebody particularly tall like Ray on nb Gypsy Rover. Personally, I can't stand being the one wedged under the gunwale at night! If possible we would be turning the bed and converting it to a cross bed. Many people mention hating having to set the bed up each night and maybe one day we'll agree. But.. we'd rather a wider bed and not having one of us sleeping against the wall (it would be me).
2 comments:
Hi, me again! Pure sinewave inverters produce a quality ac output, similar to what is available at home from you domestic mains sockets, and can safely power most things such as sensative computer equipment. They are usually more expensive to buy. The other type, quasi sine wave, are more crude in their design, producing an output which only "resembles" the mains ac you get at home, and as a result are cheaper to buy, but sometimes there are problems with sensative equipment. I have a quasi sine wave type, and have no trouble with it. Travelpower is just another "alternator" strapped to the main engine, but instead of producing 12V dc to charge batteries, produces 230V ac to provide a mains supply. They offer similar output to an independent fixed generator, but are slightly cheaper. Disadvantages are, noise from the main engine when moored, and the main engine has to be run at higher revs than tickover to produce a useable power. Either are essential if you are considering a washing machine. i don't have one, but would very much like one.
This blog may provide you with useful info on travel power: http://www.wellscargo.co.uk/blog/?p=382 As a rough guide, a Yanmar Shire engine like mine, if fitted with travelpower would be £2,496 more expensive than standard for the 3.5KVA version, or £4406 for the 7KVA version. The price list stated that a 5KVA unit is also available. See: http://www.barrus.co.uk/pdfs/shire_price_list.pdf Again, I would say with this type of equipment, if you decide to have it, get the biggest you can afford. A good source of information for large fixed generators is: http://www.mastervolt.com/marine/products/ I use a small "suitcase" type portable generator which serves my purposes, but I don't have large, inductive load, equipment like washing machines. I picked that up second hand for £100!
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