200W extra solar PV power for expedition boat 24V house power supply. Lifeboat conversion Ep126 [4K]

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EPISODE 126
We don't want to hang around on deck too much, as it's rolly up there, so let's use the space for wet storage and for mounting another 200W of solar power collection.
Products mentioned:
Triple-wall polycarbonate walled sheet
Renogy 100W rigid solar panel
Everbuild wood preserver treatment
SML Paints High Build Epoxy Primer
Ozito 18V PXDDS-201U drill
Feel free to ask any questions in the comments!
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[@thelionsam]

Long may the consumer advice continue. Thanks Alex/Alan 👍

[@prometheusboat]

It's a very good idea to have a quick release option for the panels. When it snowed on my very horizontal and very glued down panels a few years ago, I had to sweep the white stuff off while trying to not slip and fall into the Great Stink (Grand Union).

[@gafrers]

So many changes, so many upgrades, so much tinkering and a always some nice humor. 👌👌👌

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I'll endeavour to keep it up!

[@greylocke100]

On the drill you may be able to replace it with a chuck from the other drill or a chuck from another manufacturer. I've replaced the chuck on 2 of my drills, one I went to a 1.4 inch chuck for some fine detail work I was doing, and the other was a simple swap of a 1.2 inch to another 1.2 inch, it was just I had worn out the jaws and it needed replacing. I think I spent almost half of what the drill cost new, for the replacement chuck, but to get the same specs currently I'd wind up spending 3 to 5 times as much.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I may just invest in a DeWalt

[@dacomazielsdorf7618]

Its amazing all the items and thought process you have changed on alan he is a heck of a project . Alpt of the items you have shown i wouldve never though about.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Thank you!

[@TrueHelpTV]

I'm sure you've thought of this but look into the Apache weatherproof cases, they're identical to pelicans at a MAJOR fraction of cost (*just incorporate a water bag as anyone already should); I'm sure you've already considered overly planed redundancies though. That "little" vessel is looking absolutely SPLENDID. It's gradually become virtually uniquely undistinguished. Gorgeous progress, I only regret you haven't considered space for me yet. ~Cheers

[@teeanahera8949]

A “planed redundancy”, is that why they have two wings instead of one?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Much appreciated!

[@SailingWithDave]

I feel for you about the weather. Here in the NW of England it was probably better than up there, but the whole winter was either too cold and dry or wet and warmer(ish). Either way you couldn't get anything done. The only people I know of who made prgress paid for undercover boat storage.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I'm currently hiding down in the southeast where it's dry and pleasant!

[@TheRealSimpsons1]

A decent car roof box would have sorted out storage and somewhere to fix the solar panels to. Waterproof too.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

And smaller - not optimised to the space. And without a flat top. And more expensive.

[@davecoz4227]

In your face Homer!

[@darthmemeious9526]

lets go power!

[@Xalta_Sailor]

The railing will shadow line the solar panel reducing output substantially.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Modern panels with lots of busbars are less susceptible to this.

[@scottcates]

Nice update, Skipper. Do you ever entice unsuspecting crew with cheap beer and pizza for work parties? You do so much by yourself that I'm just thinking about your health and sanity.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

You know, I probably should. The last two months have been tough. But, I feel that some tasks would take longer to explain than to just do. And other repetitive or messy jobs I'd feel bad for inflicting on others.

[@ptonpc]

If you have the chuck from the old drill, you might be able to swap them around.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Sadly the old Einhell is long since in landfill.

[@PsRohrbaugh]

On some drills the chuck is replaceable, sometimes with a screw in the base of the chuck you can see when fully open.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Yeah that's been good advice from others too. Sadly, I didn't think of it before chucking out the old Einhell - although I do think it was partly the chuck that failed after 5 years of use.

[@PsRohrbaugh]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals I wasn't thinking about salvaging the old chuck although that could've been an option. My point is the new drill might be able to be improved by replacing the chuck you dislike with a better one.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Yeah I guess so. I think I'll just save and get a new DeWalt.

[@shitheadal]

what happened to the night scottsman??? I think it was called when I was stationed in the UK in the 80's we would take it from Kings Cross to Edinburgh

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I think that's the Caledonian Sleeper now

[@PinkLittleElephant]

Even a mini angle grinder makes my day 😊 what tethering system are you using for clambering outside at sea? I’m guessing dual tethers with huge carabiners so you can use them with gloves … a bit like they use on spacewalks?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Offshore we'll definitely need a less precarious system. Usually I just pay attention and clamber around!

[@PinkLittleElephant]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals not sure if falling off the boat in the yard would be more benign but I guess the ambulance could pull up right next to you 😳

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

There's always one more level of safety that can be installed - and someone to call you a madman for not installing that next level!

[@PinkLittleElephant]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals I was trying to pull your leg … without making you fall off. The level of planning and preparation and risk management on your expeditions bodes well for Alan’s future travels.

[@lc10w]

I too struggle for straight timber from merchants - it'd be alright if I had an aircraft propeller factory!

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I wonder why it is. Rushing the drying/seasoning process?

[@memeboy8207]

​@@AlexHibbertOriginalsfrom my experience in highschool timber class, I guess so

[@lc10w]

A bit of that, plus humidity and loose storage doesn't help. Also, where the plank was cut from the log - heartwood is more stable than sapwood.

[@sailingona]

What is motivating you to do this project? Do you compare the amount of time and resources you spend on lifeboat mod to your expeditions?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I can plan, pack for and deploy a polar trip in about 72 hours. This trip is motivated by learning, having Alan as a platform when other logistics are unreliable, and creating a new, rather wonderful, audience.

[@sailingona]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals it must be one more book :) well done it is definitely working. i have to buy your first book now and figure out what is in your head :)

[@darkwing943]

Pretty much all Battery operated drills, Tighten the chuck back the chuck off one Click to lock the chuck.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

That was never necessary with my Einhell, or my corded drill, but I'll give it a go.

[@oldman1944]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals Don't bother, it's a dumb internet myth

[@ptonpc]

Never heard of this. I've been using drills for decades.

[@teeanahera8949]

This is complete garbage, did you just make that up? For starters Milwaukee only click when chuck tightening, when loosening there are no clicks so you cannot back it off by one click.

[@superowl91]

would the solar panels benefit from being placed vertically given the sun tracks lower at northern latitudes.

[@teeanahera8949]

Being on a gimbal would be optimal I guess but the panels would produce close to zero until you got way up above the arctic circle. The sun tracks at 23º above the horizon during Summer at the Sth Pole apparently (don’t quote me on that, I just always remember weird facts from watching youtube channels and this gem came from an explanation of the ICE CUBE cubic kilometre of ice neutrino experiment).

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

At seriously high lats outside of summer we'll be relying on wind and the generator.

[@PsRohrbaugh]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals I don't know if the side mount curved panels have stopped working, or are causing some other problem like trapping water, but I'd personally keep them on if they still work, and just have the new panels as additional ones. MPPT controllers are cheap at the power levels you're dealing with. But they're right, you want the panels to be facing the sun as much as possible for maximum output. Also, it's a little late for this advice, but for maximum efficiency especially in lower light levels, you want your panel string voltage to be many times higher than your battery voltage. 150 volts seems to be a common maximum limit for smaller MPPT controllers. I'm not sure what the output voltage is for the 100w panels you have, but if you ever have to replace them, 4x 50w panels might give you better performance. Oh, final thought - do you have a carbon monoxide detector installed? I can't remember. Between the main engine, generator, heater, etc lots of possible sources.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Spot on Paul. Yes I won't be doing away with side-mounted flex panels. I've just been unhappy with the build quality of the ones on there. I have six replacements ready to go on. I'm maxxing out the Vmax of the two MPPT controllers, so the voltage differential is as high as poss over 24V. Carbon monoxide indeed. In fact, I set it off when fast charging a lead carbon battery recently, as apparently other gases can activate them.

[@GarrettDevitt]

There is a lot of room there for vertical bifacial panels though and a lot of reflected light from the sea. Might act like a sail though.

[@Leightr]

If I may ask, do you know what kind of wood your timbers are? I don't know what's available in your local lumberyard, but If I were recommending wood for use on a boat I would suggest western red cedar or douglas fir. Both of these are naturally very rot-resistant with the cedar having a slight edge. The fir is much stronger and a good bit heavier though. Also, at one point, doug fir was the top choice for spars in the British navy, so there's some historical precedent too.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I'm afraid nothing that exotic for this role. I'm relying on lots of treatment and sealer. If there are issue later on, I'll get a custom GRP one made.

[@Leightr]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals I love that what is growing all over my backyard is "exotic" elsewhere. Tell you what, if you ever need some of the above species of timber going forward just let me know, I'll get it for you at no charge (you pay shipping ; -) )

[@EvilBurp]

Alex, I wonder what your gripe with the Caledonian is. I am about to book a holiday (Eurostar to london, Caledonian to inverness) and you got me on edge, is something off about it (except for it's absolutely insane pricing)?

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

The pricing is one thing - especially for the 'nicer' rooms. My main issue is that they totally failed to follow through on promises to install sensible seating for the main economy carriages - when they could have created proper lie flats or pods, like they have on many sleeper ferries. A night's sleep is pretty unlikely unless you book a room for hundreds of pounds, and you might as well spend only £25 and get a similarly bad rest on the National Express coach. That said, if you don't need a night of deep sleep and can catch up the following day/night, then the seat prices are cheaper than daytime trains. You won't enjoy the coastal views though at night. Flights from London to Inverness are pretty cheap and quick.

[@tbthegr81]

It's not super hard to swap chuck on a electric drill but ofc it's nicer if ya get a good one from the start, obviously ya void ya warranty if ya swap bits an pieces of the tool

[@Jehty_]

Would you actually void the warranty in (former) EU countries tho? If I swap the brakes in my car I still have the warranty for the rest of my car. I guess you might have to proof that changing the chuck didn't cause the damage, but I don't see why it would void your warranty?!

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I suspect drill companies don't consider their products to be repairable, except by them. Different to a car when annual maintenance is expected.

[@benderbender1233]

👋🙂

[@ColinPacker]

Shame about the Ozito. I had one for years until it died. Replaced with another one six months ago and no problems.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I find only hex or flattened drill bit shafts hold properly when you reach the end of passing through hard steel etc. Cylindrical ones are skipping once the torque needed is high.

[@matthewwakeham2206]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals Put the old chuck on the new drill?

[@ColinPacker]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals Yes, that breakthrough point can be a pain with a hand held drill. Back off on the pressure and let the revs nibble away at the last bit of material which is deforming under pressure. That's not to say the chuck jaws aren't doing the job but it will help. I say that from a retired Fitter/Machinist point of view. Also, buy good quality drills.

[@bramlinssen6940]

I'd love to donate, but the website unfortunately does not support those amongst us with debit cards. I would love it (and you as well, presumably) if you added an extra option.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Hi - that's strange. I think both SuperPay and PayPal accept debit cards. Which option were you trying?

[@bramlinssen6940]

@@AlexHibbertOriginals the option where you have to enter your card number. I did not see another payment option. It just simply did not accept the credentials. It's a Dutch card, perhaps it's got something to do with thatm

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

Ah that will be SuperPay/Stripe. How odd. I think I can see the two failed attempts in my Stripe account. Is Paypal an option? Try paypal.me/alexhibbertuk?country.x=GB&locale.x=en_GB

[@chadstinson9886]

The plans of mice and men.

[@teeanahera8949]

Ozito, not so fondly thought of by Aussies who may have bought this crap, only once (Project Brupeg might be an exception here) from Bunnings. I am not a fan of the aphorism: “you get what you pay for” but with cordless power tools it seems to be true. Pay a fortune and get one of the big name brands.

[@AlexHibbertOriginals]

I had a DeWalt tool die young, so it's never a dead cert!