Getting the 26 ready for some serious sailing

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Skipper Dan
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Getting the 26 ready for some serious sailing

Post by Skipper Dan »

This is an ongoing refit. I had already converted MI Amor to electric pod drive. I was using Lead Acid batteries. I have switched over to LifePO4 now. I am making some other major improvements. A new solar rack in carbon fiber, A hatch cover for when it is open. And a hood for the companionway. I found a double anchor roller that is also a forestay attach point. I am installing my electric winch for raising the mast on the boat so I can raise and lower it on the water. I will be going under a lot of bridges on the Mississippi and I'd rather not do it by hand. This way I do not have to lower it all the way just enough to get under the bridge.
The first project was new wire in the mast with new connectors. I rebuilt all the lights with LED. I'm also adding a deck light. This shows how I reduced the wire slapping noise in the mast.
Mast wire 2 (Small).jpg
Mast wire 1 (Small).jpg
Skipper Dan SV Mi Amor
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Re: Getting the 26 ready for some serious sailing

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Today I installed the battery cells. These 300 Ah cells fit into the same box that 4 of my 100 Ah Lead Acid batteries were in. the weight is about the same as two of the LA batteries. It took 5 LA to get to 60 volts. The 5th one did not fit into the box where as these LifePO4 cells all fit into the box giving me 60 volts. The LA batteries were good to about 50 to 75 Ahs. These will go about 275. I had a 300 Ah LifePO4 and a 100 Ah from my camper. So in total I have 1900 Ah of batteries available. The big 60 volt bank will feed the motor. The 300 Ah will feed the house (Frig, freezer, computer, and lights. The 100 Ah will be for the boat electronics and running lights. The 60v pack will also be able to feed the 300 Ah house via a dc to dc charger. I have 3 solar chargers one for each bank. I also have 3 110v chargers that I can run off the 3000 watt generator. 60v 12 amp, 12v 80 amp, and 12v 40 amp.
LifePO4 battery box 60v 300 Ah (Small).jpg
12v 300 Ah LifePO4 (Small).jpg
12v 100 Ah LifePO4 (Small).jpg
brigadoon
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Re: Getting the 26 ready for some serious sailing

Post by brigadoon »

Wow, that’s a lot of battery power ! You’ve done a great job converting over to electric. I don’t remember have you had the boat out for any extended trips yet ? I know you did the original conversion several years ago. How has your electric sail drive worked for extended motoring ? I’m looking forward to seeing the finished project. Rick, SV Brigadoon
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Re: Getting the 26 ready for some serious sailing

Post by brigadoon »

Dan,
I just when back to see the replies to your previous post and see that my questions have been answered already. As Bob said keep us posted. I really like your sail drive installation, If I were 10 years younger I would seriously look at making a similar installation on Brigadoon. Rick
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Re: Getting the 26 ready for some serious sailing

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It's been cold here in Louisiana so it has been going slow. I also lose internet regularly. I'm waiting on a better BMS for the motor pack, but I have most of the system hooked up now. Still waiting on replies for the solar rack. This is a Hybrid system like before just a little better. I have shore power hookup, 30 amp. I also have a 3500 Inverter generator that will run on LP or Gas. Shore power will rarely get used but it is nice to have it. Generator is mostly for emergency. I can go 2 to 3 knots with the generator and depleted batteries. This is only limited by the 12 amp charger to the Motor pack. I'm excited to see how my bifacial panels work out. The motor pack is mainly dedicated to the motor, but can be used for the house if I am moored out for a long time in cloudy or rainy weather. The 300 Ah house battery is plenty for cooking (Induction cooktop) and I also have my alcohol stove. I ran the fan and lights (All LED) last night and was not below 13.2. The TV most likely uses the most power. The 100 Ah battery should have no problem keeping up with the electronics and lights for the for the boat. I am hoping to get a blog page going for the Chrysler site so I can log my journey through the Great Loop. A lot will depend on the solar output rather than the batteries.

Skipper Dan SV Mi Amor
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Re: Getting the 26 ready for some serious sailing

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brigadoon wrote: Sun Jan 12, 2025 5:33 am Dan,
I just when back to see the replies to your previous post and see that my questions have been answered already. As Bob said keep us posted. I really like your sail drive installation, If I were 10 years younger I would seriously look at making a similar installation on Brigadoon. Rick
I'm 66 it's never too late. The conversion is not at all hard. The Chrysler is a really good fit for the conversion. It could actually be done with just an electric outboard in the 3 Kw range.

Skipper Dan SV Mi Amor
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