The 4 Ways to Make Electricity on a Sailboat (Simplified & Explained)

[@jerbear7952]

I really think the ultimate in simplicity would be an electric propulsion with two honda generators. Either cycle them or keep one un used as back up. Maybe have one diesel and one gas in case you cant find one or the other. Some even take propane. Then you arent messing with inboard engines. You could still have some solar panels or other generation obviously

[@gavinratcliffe6201]

This is a great video Dan. Very informative and a very nice lesson. Nice work 👍

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Thank buddy, glad you liked it. :)

[@ahmadrida8447]

I am new to boating and your video was very informative in not only educating me but also in guiding my decisions. The humour was also appreciated 🙏 God bless you man.

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Hey! Glad you enjoyed it buddy.

[@carlrealey2525]

I think something you could mention is that electricity is not stored efficiently or transformed efficiently... Think it loses about 30% with each of these so its best to have 12v appliances and run them when you are producing... Eg run a 12v fridge with thermostat on coldest whilst running engine or its very sunny then put stat back to normal when not producing

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Yes that is true.

[@stanleybest8833]

A variation: I bought an air cooled Sifa MB 168F diesel. 44 LBS. 3 horsepower. I don't like any kind of sea water cooling, nor weight. It is a sailboat motor. A tiny one. Add a 7 inch pulley and alternator and a very large part of it's output is DC electric at phenomenal fuel savings. 1/2 to 1 HP of propulsion. Now you can steer in the doldrums and point in storms. Goodbye 6 knots, but hello around the world on one tank just for storms, clouds, and marinas. It's way lighter and more reliable than any boat motor. Air cooling as dry heat is usually helpful on the water and not so bad compared to moist heat. I adapted the 20 mm shaft to 1 inch to connect things.

[@danielBlakeVideo]

No mention of Jackery style power banks to store electricity produced by wind or solar. They are nice to have as a stored backup. I use a Jackery 500 in my camper van. I have solar charging my house battery that charges my Jackery constantly. I run the whole van off 12v or USB chargeable items. Just a thought. Keep up the great videos

[@gomariussmith]

Two questions: do you have a video on how you installed your solar (practical and cost)? And how does that compare with having a hard top installed and then solar ontop of the hard top? (Say it is of similar size to your current install) Others welcome to weigh in please? Any photos & cost for your installs?

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Not yet. But it basically cost me $1,100 total for everything! The solar panels are sealed together and ARE my hard top.

[@tsubakitengai]

Generators have permanent magnets and produce fixed voltage at a certain rpm. Alternators have electromagnets and can generate greater power at low speeds and reduce output at higher speeds. And AC is just DC with a short attention span.

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Well said!

[@tsubakitengai]

@@Adventureman_Dan Thank you. I'm always surprised how few people know the difference.

[@Not_Sure_]

Btw, there's also the drum or cylindrical type of wind turbine.

[@careystravels]

thanks

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Cheers!

[@dan2304]

The power produced by both wind and hydro are small. Maximum efficiency 40%=A÷2 x density x velocity cubed. Large sweep area and high velocity of medium are required.

[@Adventureman_Dan]

That's why I love solar!

[@dan2304]

@@Adventureman_Dan A fast boat 10-15 kn and large diameter propellers and you have lots of generation while you are sailing. Though most time is at anchor.

[@bugglesnake]

Please add fuel cells, like EFOY, can generate ~5-10A DC to charge batteries

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Have not see it on any sailboat yet. Not going on my list. :)

[@DanielWillis-q2g]

I bet the hydro turbine dragged behind went out of fashion because it simply doesn't produce anything when not underway. Wind turbines can, PV can, old fashioned genesets can. Why pay extra for something that only works when you're under way? Spend that on PV or a wind turbine and it can charge all the time (solar at night excluded of course).

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Indeed!

[@justfun287]

thanks dan! ps: first comment

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Thanks for the support buddy. #1 :)

[@Not_Sure_]

I think you forgot one. What about human powered mechanical ? Like Gilligan Island. Like through a cranck arm system, like through a seated bicycle crank systwm. ?

[@CoreyChrapkowski]

I'm thinking my micro and full size patriot solar generators would be great for sailboat life

[@andreasmavronikolas6953]

What boat do you have?

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Watch my boat tour video for all the info on my boat!

[@dlcarbonneau3750]

I've been thinking about how your lifestyle is going to be a good place to be during a SHTF situation.

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Ohhhh yeah! I'm actually planning on making a video about just that!

[@pandaa3876]

with the lightning could you bring down the amps to like 0.0001 dont know much bout ohms law and sht

[@Adventureman_Dan]

It would not be worth it.

[@Jan-lj6ej]

Nuclear isn't that bad for a sailboat. Nasa uses Radiothermal Generators on a lot of their spacecraft, and they are not that big/heavy and last for decades. Plus they are relatively safe and have no moving parts at all, since they use the Seebeck-effect to generate the electricity. One unit produces about 100 Watts and is approximately a 25 inch cube. The only real downside is that checking in to different countries with a nuclear warhead attached to your boat might be a bit tricky. The main problem would probably be getting the Plutonium-238-oxide I guess. 🤔

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Yeahhhhhhh, that doesn't sound practical........

[@donaldvanvliet9039]

How about fuel cells?

[@SpartyTime]

Solar hear collection is great for a single hot shower per day.

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Sounds nice!

[@careystravels]

how much fuel will it take for a portable honda generator to completely top up a 10 lithium battery bank from 0% to 100%, and how long will it take?

[@travistucker7317]

How long does it take to fill a cup of water? Is it a big cup? Are you filling it with an eye dropper? Firehose? Maybe a better question is how long does Dan's setup take to charge in good sunny conditions.

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Checkout my Patreon page for these detailed questions.

[@careystravels]

will a wind generator lower your speed?

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Not as long as you're going downwind! :)

[@SpartyTime]

Alternators make DC, not AC. ;)

[@daniddon6191]

Alternators make AC, the name is the giveaway. The bridge rectifier turn the AC to DC... ;)

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Thanks for the comment Greg.

[@Resignandreset]

The video was doing good until you started your non viable list.

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Thank you soo much! Glad you liked it. :)

[@FilipMolin]

There's sooo much incorrect information in this video I don't even know where to start.

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Feel free to make a counter video showing all you know. :)