Author: Werner Toonk, Karma of Steel
Werner is a world sailor and author of Karma of SteelHe is currently en route from New Zealand to Chile and wrote this blog:
Batteries on board
I have a love-hate relationship with them. You need them, but they never deliver what you expect. During a long trip they are actually empty far too often and far too quickly. On my steel two-master Karma of Steel I sail around the world in long stages. Think of 40 days of non-stop sailing, for example from Brazil to Cape Town or now from New Zealand to Chile.
Om Karma To prepare for this new leg I had to buy new batteries again. The old lead batteries from South Africa had already given up the ghost. That is probably my fault. I am a sailor. I love the emptiness and the peace of the ocean, the lapping of the waves on a calm day or the growling when things get rougher in the 'roaring forties'.
I don't like having to start the engine to generate power, but I can't avoid it either. The solar panels and the small propeller shaft generator don't always provide enough to keep the batteries charged. I do try to start the engines combiwith windless periods. Often the batteries are already too low, and they cannot cope with that.
I hope to tackle that problem with new LiFePO4 batteries. You can easily discharge them to 10% and then simply charge them completely again. I have installed two with a total capacity of 560 amp hours. If they are completely empty, it takes a while before they are full again. Initially, I wanted to charge them with the existing Hitachi alternator that is standard on the Yanmar engine, but a sailor friend advised me to contact Smartmarine.
I did, on a Saturday night by email. That first email was answered the same night with exactly the information I needed. The next day we emailed again and made a phone appointment for Monday morning. I got exactly the advice I needed.
Smartmarine sells (among many other useful things) high-power alternators from Electromaax. I didn't want to do that at first, because with a new alternator you also have to install a new regulator, other pulleys and a heavier V-belt. I simply didn't have the time for that. I wanted Karma of Steel getting ready and finally, after years of delay due to COVID and other things, sailing again.
The professionals at Smartmarine convinced me that it was possible. The Electromaax alternators fit exactly in the place of the standard Hitachi. The advanced Electromaax regulator can be installed both at the batteries and next to the engine. A standard kit is available for the pulleys that fits directly on the engine, and to absorb peak voltage Electromaax supplies a beautiful System Surge Protector. I didn't even know what it was or whether I needed it, but I am now fully informed.
A few weeks later I ordered the stuff and took it with me to New Zealand in my suitcase. Admittedly, it costs a bit, but then you have a sustainable solution. Installing it took an afternoon, thanks to the handy YouTube videos from Electromaax and the clear manuals. For questions I could contact Smartmarine, who even on the other side of the world always respond quickly, friendly and to the point. Really great!
I've been sailing with it for a few weeks now and everything works very well so far. When the batteries are empty, I run at about 1.500 rpm with 100 amps of current (at 12 volts) and they fill up again. If it needs to go faster, I increase the engine speed and the dynamo delivers (in my case a maximum) 160 amps. More is also possible, but I don't need it.
What I also really appreciate is that Smartmarine not only sells Electromaax stuff, but also thinks along with me about, among other things, the entire installation scheme, the thickness of the cables and the way in which I charge my starter battery. What professionals, and what a pleasure to be a customer there. I don't get paid for it, but I sincerely like to advertise for them!
If you want to read more about my stages with Karma of Steel, then look at karmavanstaal.nl.
