As promised, I wanted to let everyone know about my new house battery. Notice the singular? We have removed nearly 300 lbs of 2 group D AGM batteries, totaling 850 amp hours and replaced them with a single Valence Lithium Phosphate battery, Group 27 size, 138 Amp hour and weighing only 41 lbs. That is 250 pounds of weight out of the port hull and no battery in the engine compartment anymore. That hull has lifted up nearly an inch out of the water.
We did this for two reasons. One was the existing batteries were shot and needed to be replaced. Second is the ever demanding need to reduce weight and keep Yasmine Ann sailing fast. We have noticed a half a knot of reduced speed when our 100 gallon water tank is full. It is located forward of the cabin house, so it digs the bows in. We already removed 1 spare anchor from that location as well.
The Valence battery has been around for about 7 years now. It is the only chemistry that can use the same charging systems as your lead acid based batteries and does not have the exploding problems of the other lithium configurations. I researched them when I was looking at replacing the engine batteries in Yumsuch. Back then, they were too expensive. Now they are close to the cost of a large AGM bank, by someone good like Lifeline. The difference is a 15-20 years life expectancy, versus 3-5 years. So, if all works as stated, it will far outweigh the original cost.
After 1 month of running the battery, there are some very positive reports.
1. The voltage has never dipped below 13.2V. This is with up to 60 Amp hours down and loaded up to 10 amps. This does a couple of things. The refrigeration compressors run better and less time. Both the refrigerator and freezer have never been colder. Even the water pump and macerater toilets work better. We are using less water to flush with the renewed power on the heads.
2. The battery recharges faster. With a lead acid chemistry, the internal resistance increases as you get closer to your acceptance voltage. This reduces the amount of current the battery can take. That is why, when you are charging with solar and wind, it takes forever to get to float, if you make it at all. With the Valence battery, it takes the full current right up to the acceptance voltage of 14.6V. Then it drops to float. One of the biggest problems with the AGM, and this is stated in the Lifeline datasheet, is that if you do not reach full charge at the end of each charging cycle you shorten the life of the battery and Lifeline will not warranty it. With the battery management module, used with the Valence battery, you only have to reach full charge once per week for it to properly balance the cells within the battery.
I know I am going on too long. Some of you like to hear these details. But, I will quit for now. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I can get you in touch with my contact at Valence.
We just spent the last week anchored in Miami and are now back in Marathon. We went for the boat show and learned a lot about new products and old ones we have been researching.
The new green Valence battery in comparison to just one of the AGM batteries removed.
Close-hauled at 50 degrees apparent on our way to Miami, all under code 0 and mainsail.
Sunset, downwind sailing at 160 degrees with code 0 only on the way back from Miami. We sailed all code 0 to and from Miami. Thank you Haarstick Sails!
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Finally!!!!!!!! A post from Yasmine Ann!
We worked on Yasmine Ann from May until the end of October. At times I thought we never ever get her finished and cleaned up! But we did and she looks incredible!
Here is a list of things we accomplished:
-Stripped/Varnished the inside except the master head(bathroom) and one cabin out of three. The third cabin may become our storage room.
-New cockpit cushion's
-New Turtle Floor
-New Turtle Table the goes down to cocktail table and up for a regular table.
-New Blowers for the engines
-New Code Zero
-New Helm Seat that also turns aft.
-New Sale Drives
-Bottom Paint
-New folding props
-Sail Drives serviced
-Superwind Wind Generator
-Remodeled master suite with a couch and extra storage
Things we have done since our last blog:
Rochelle & Kevin got married! |
Roy is telling Kevin, you better take care of her or else, you deal with me! |
Proud dad and step mom with the lovely bride! |
Myrtle Beach with the Grandkids!
Nate & I at Myrtle Beach! |
Magic Kingdom with Jacob & Nate! |
Our Little Silver Surfer Jacob!
Our one bedroom condo is finally done and ready for renters.
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New Captain chairs looking at the ocean! |
Ocean View! |
Living Room |
Bathroom
The New cockpit
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Cockpit with our turtle floor |
Teak table Roy build. |
Sailing to Marathon. |
S/V FUI leading the way. |
Poppy got us! Oh No! |
Help! |
Nate gets Poppy! |
Jacob & Nate dunking Poppy!
|
Christmas with Jacob! |
New Found Harbor Sunset! |
Dolphin Research Center with Kent, Roy, Jane, Bonnie, Sid, Pat, Walt, and Anna. |
Hi! Come see us! |
We do tricks for you! |
Rich |
Roy & Anna at the Helm! |
Dave |
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For all of you interested in how the improvements have effected Yasmine Ann, this is my section (Roy).
You could probably tell, by previous posts, that I was not happy with the sailing characteristics of the Lagoon. Loved the room, but it was more of a trawler. Now, I repeat to everyone that we actually own a sailboat. We sail into harbors and up to anchorages. Just like the good old days. The whole reason is the folding props. With the two bladed fixed props, we could barely get 5 knots of of the boat. Unless we were on a beam reach, with 25 knots blowing, it would not get out of its own way. The slow speed also added excessive leeway when going to weather. Now, we barely ever see speeds under 7 knots. We regularly sail right around the 7.5-8 knot range. Being only 12K lbs dry, it just can't handle the drag of fixed blades. I'll never forget leaving St. Augustine, with our new props, unfurling the headsail, and seeing Yammy's face light up. Before, this would only add 0.2 knots. Now we had 2 knots. The folding props have added around 2.5 knots of overall speed in all wind conditions.
Now, for light air, the Haarstick Code 0 is a blessing. We have sailed twice now with true wind speeds around 5 knots. In flat seas, building apparent wind to 9.4 knots, we were able to hit 5.1 knots. There was not another sailboat out there that day actually sailing. With the code 0 we also hit our fastest speed. Beam reaching in 13 knots true, we hit 9.4 knots.
I don't write this to brag. I write it out of astonishment. Everyone we bring sailing is amazed at how two little props can make such a difference. Drag and weight are a catamaran's nemesis. In the next blog I'll tell you how I shed 200 pounds of battery weight.
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