Tony-B...
Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 5:41pm
Post Subject:
Me & My Boats - the De Leie family
Dear Geraldine, the manufacturers' consumption figures will/should be based on operation on a test bed and that is done at full throttle with the load being applied sufficient to hold the speed at each test point. For inland use this figure is all but useless, you will get far better consumption so accept the 1.5 litres an hour as the best estimate. The water consumption is very much down to individual use so if you intend to shower every day and wash up after each meal without using a plastic bowl you will use more water that if you are more economical. Even with daily showering and the washing machine I do not think you will have many water problems. Now the new bit of information causes me some concern, but I do not know the full facts of course. A washing machine almost certainly means a small domestic one, that in turn indicates the use of a large inverter to get the mains. Once you have that there is a great temptation to add more and more mains devices like microwaves, coffee machines, toasters, irons hair dryers etc. If you are not very careful you will run into battery problems because it seems many boat builders are happy to keep adding stuff without thinking about the consequences. I am now far more concerned over your electrical system than getting enough water. I must advise that it is vital that you start doing a power audit and the charging calculations that you will find in either set of course notes on www.tb-training.co.uk. That way you stand a chance of ensuring your electrical demands, alternator size and running time are all matched. Otherwise plan to replace your battery bank every two years - even if you get talked into buying expensive batteries. Far better to juggle the figures on paper than to get a boat built and the have to try to overcome its shortcomings. Tony Brooks