We did a major upgrade on our solar charging and we now live almost totally on solar power. Here’s what we did (mostly DIY) and the cost. [More] Solar Upgrade
Solar Upgrade
Batteries & Charging Them
Having enough power on a boat is a combination of battery choice, monitoring, maintenance and charging.
Learn how not to have any amp-ogres aboard!
Easy Battery Watering
How do you add water on a monthly basis to batteries you can’t even reach? A battery watering system makes it easy! [More] Easy Battery Watering
Choosing and Installing a Victron Battery Monitor
Step-by-step instructions with pictures to install a Victron battery monitor, including reasons for having a battery monitor and why we chose this one. [More] Choosing and Installing a Victron Battery Monitor
Testing Batteries
A not-very-expensive battery tester that’s easy to use right in the boat with results comparable to a load tester! [More] Testing Batteries
No Amp Ogres!
Our four-step approach to power on our boat means that we have electricity for everything we want. [More] No Amp Ogres!
Refrigeration Problem? Or Bad Batteries?
Your refrigerator is running all the time but nothing is really cold. Is it time to call in the refrigerator repairman? Or is it something else? [More] Refrigeration Problem? Or Bad Batteries?
Inverters 101
Basic concepts about inverters if you’re thinking of putting one on your boat — types, sizes, loads, pure sine wave vs. modified and more. I’ve tried to keep it a non-techie starting point! [More] Inverters 101
The Dollars & Sense of Solar Panels
Does a large array of solar panels make sense for your boat? Here’s how we decided — and the answer was a resounding YES! [More] The Dollars & Sense of Solar Panels
