Getting the 26 ready for some serious sailing

[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.

Skipper Dan SV Mi Amor

[Skipper Dan]

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.

[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

[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

[Skipper Dan]

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

[Skipper Dan]

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

[Skipper Dan]

Well the weather is finally warming up. Installed the new leak proof windows. Fabricated the companionway cover that doubles as my lower solar rack. Hopefully tomorrow I can get the new forestay anchor roller installed. I have most of the battery, BMS, equalizers and other controls installed.

Skipper Dan S/V Mi Amor

[Skipper Dan]

big day today as I raised the mast with my deck mounted electric winch. It worked pretty well, but I am still on land. It may be a little harder on the water. I won't have to go all the way down so that will help just far enough to get under bridges.

I also go the upper solar rack set up. A few more parts to go then I have to make the bases for the mounts. I think it is going to look pretty good. I will epoxy weld the fittings to the pipe for added strength. I will not have standing room under it. It was very close but I did not want to get too much closer to the boom. I just have to duck a very little bit. Standing in the companionway I can stand all the way up. I still have the rear rack to go. This hopefully will double as a kayak lift.

Skipper Dan S/V Mi Amor

[Skipper Dan]

Here is my setup for getting under bridges. I have a 15' Air draft, I could take it down to 13' if I had to. It is all on an electric winch. I am getting some super heavy duty bungy cords to stabilize it on the way down. They make commercial ones that should work. I did a lot on the battery management system also. Hopefully I can get the big solar panels up by next week. I also have to take a trip down to Houston to get my new standing rigging. By the way the new windows look great and they do not leak.

Skipper Dan S/V Mi Amor

[Skipper Dan]

Installed one of the big solar panels. Turns out I can stand up. At the companionway I have just enough clearance. It slopes up aft so I have even more room there. Waiting for bolts for the rest, USPS lost the first order.

Skipper Dan S/V Mi Amor

[Skipper Dan]

I'm really happy with the solar rack. I have one more panel to get up. It hinges out the back, It could come off if need be because of weather.
Also I got the wind instrument installed, side boarding ladder, and Pulpit. I'm going to work on some canvas enclosures for the rack. I'm not sure why it turned the photo, just click it and it comes out right side up.

[SailingSeaGypsy]

She's really starting to come together. Can't wait to see the finished project.

[Skipper Dan]

I have to find some aluminum square tubing instead of the steel ones but it should work out fine. plenty strong even to lift my kayak out of the water.
I have two more 100 Watt wing panels to go forward off the companionway top.

That's 3) 400 watt bifacial panels that should give me 500 watts each. That is for the 60 volt motor. 300 Ah LifePO4 @ 60v. It also couples as a house battery charger incase I need more juice. 4) 100 watt panels for the house. 300Ah @ 12v + 100Ah battery for the Kayak.

Total 1600/1900 watts charging with 1800/1900 Ah @ 12v LifePO4 storage.

I should have no problems running the frig, freezer, and AC.

Skipper Dan S/V Mi Amor

[Skipper Dan]

I made an extra panel for the companionway for the AC tubing. Seems to work rather well. Taking it from 80 outside to 70 inside.
I have the freezer full and going, (White container under stove top). Frig is half full and going. Battery is full so I am going to let the AC run all night with both freezer and frig going also. It should give me a good idea how many amps I would used overnight. The AC also works as a heater so if it were to get cold I would also know how warm I might be able to stay. I've been always interested in going through the Straits of Magellan so it would come in handy there.

[Skipper Dan]

I have the solar panels hinged now. They can fold up for sailing. I also brought the halyards to the cockpit. I redid the boom so that I can reef from the cockpit also. I installed a sheave in the slot for the main outhaul so I can adjust that while also in the cockpit. I am thinking of two more panels to go over the folded ones while sailing so I do not lose solar while sailing. These will fold out so I can use them while at anchor giving me 200 more watts for the house battery.

Skipper Dan S/V Mi Amor

[brigadoon]

Skipper Dan,
You must be working 40 hrs a week for all you’ve got done. Looks great , when is the launch date ? Carol and I will be heading up to Sequim WA to sail the straits in July and will spend some time in the islands. Let us know what else is being added.
Rick SV Brigadoon

[Skipper Dan]

I don't work as hard as I could, mostly waiting for parts. I'm out in the boonies in Louisiana. I did purchase a fantastic find in an old 15-90 Singer sewing machine. Now just waiting for thread and fabric. Should be able to make some nice covers for the solar rack in bad weather. I should be headed up to WI in about 3 weeks. Most likely will start down the Mississippi around July or August. Some day I hope to sail the North West and around Alaska.

Skipper Dan S/V Mi Amor

[Skipper Dan]

So I sealed up the lower unit the wrong way the first time. I sealed it from the outlet of the exhaust and somehow water still leaked into the lower unit trapping it. Over the winter is froze and broke the two attach bolts. I did however find out through trying to find a replacement part that I had infact a sail drive lower unit. This came with a high thrust prop and looks to be a little beefier than the regular lower unit. I found it kinda odd that I found the lower unit in ND where there is not much sailing done. The replacement part (Prop shaft bearing housing came from France.) I was lucky to find one. Now I sealed it from the top so if water does get in it will just drain back out through the exhaust. I did this conversion back when Electric conversions were just getting started. Now you can find electric pods in the 7 to 10 Hp range that would do away with having to convert. Just bolt the pod on to the hull and your done. Most likely more efficient also.

Skipper Dan S/V Mi Amor

[Skipper Dan]

I installed a forward night vision camera off my truck and camper. It should give me some peace of mind if I have to travel at night on the Mississippi. I also have a nice LED light but I'm not sure where I want it. I might keep it as a deck light and mount it on the rear solar rack.

[Skipper Dan]

New standing rigging arrived while I was at Yellowstone with my daughter on her birthday. They forgot two of the lower stays so I have to wait for them, I am up in WI now and it is rather cold still, but I am on track to be done by end of June. Looking forward to start that journey.

Skipper Dan S/V Mi Amor