Book - Energy Unlimited - rev 09 - EN - Victron Energy

1 Energy UnlimitedReinout Vader1 Victron Energy Electricity on Board (And other off-grid applications) Revision 9 June 2011 Electricity plays an increasing role on board yachts. Modern navigation and communication equipment depends on it, as well as the growing list of household appliances that are taken on board. This is the concept text for a booklet about electricity on board small and large yachts. The intention of the book is twofold: Firstly I try to cover in depth a few matters that over and again are subject to discussion and misunderstanding, such as batteries and management of batteries, or electric power consumption of refrigerators, freezers and air conditioning. My second intention is to help designers, electricians and boat owners to decide on how to manage and generate electricity on board.

2 Several new products and concepts have substantially broadened the range of alternatives here. Together with some unavoidable theory, I use examples of small and large yachts to clarify the consequences of choosing one alternative or another. The consequences are sometimes so unexpected and far reaching that, writing it all down, I have also helped my own understanding! Reinout Vader 2 Victron Energy Copyright 2000 Victron Energy All Rights Reserved This publication or part thereof, may not be reproduced in any form by any method, for any purpose. Victron Energy MAKES NO WARRANTY, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, REGARDING Victron ENERGIE PRODUCTS AND MAKES SUCH Victron Energy PRODUCTS AVAILABLE SOLELY ON AN AS-IS BASIS.

3 IN NO EVENT SHALL Victron Energy BE LIABLE TO ANYONE FOR SPECIAL, COLLATERAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF PURCHASE OR USE OF Victron Energy PRODUCTS. THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE LIABILITY TO Victron Energy , REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION, SHALL NOT EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE Victron Energy PRODUCTS DESCRIBED HEREIN. For conditions of use and permission to use this book for publication in other than the Dutch language, contact Victron Energy Victron Energy reserves the right to revise and improve its products as it sees fit. Victron Energy De Paal 35 1351 JG Almere-Haven Box 50016 1305 AA Almere-Haven Tel : +31 (0)36 535 97 00 Fax : +31 (0)36 535 97 40 E-mail : Website : 3 Victron Energy Electricity on Board (And other off-grid applications) Table of contents 1.

4 Introduction 2. The battery: preventing premature aging The battery is the heart of every small-scale Energy system . No battery, no storage of electric Energy . At the same time the battery is a costly and delicate component. This chapter specifically addresses the battery s vulnerability. Introduction Battery chemistry What happens in a battery cell as it discharges What happens during charging The diffusion process Service life: shedding, oxidation, and sulphation The most common types of lead-acid battery Lead-antimony and lead-calcium Wet or flooded versus starved (gel or AGM) electrolyte The flat-plate automotive battery (wet) The flat-plate semi-traction battery (wet) The traction or deep-cycle battery (wet) The sealed (VLRA) gel battery The sealed (VLRA) AGM battery The sealed (VLRA) spiral-cell battery Function and use of the battery The lead-acid battery in practice How much does a battery cost?

5 Dimensions and weight Effect on capacity of rapid discharging Capacity and temperature Premature aging 1. The battery is discharged too deeply Premature aging 2. Charging too rapidly and not fully charging Premature aging 3. Undercharging Premature aging 4. Overcharging Premature aging 5. Temperature Self-discharge 3. Monitoring a battery s state of charge. The battery monitor . The battery monitor indicates a battery s state of charge, and can also be used to automatically start charging systems, or indicate that charging is required. With larger battery systems a monitor with an amp-hour counter is indispensable. To start charging once the voltage drops is simply too late. The battery is then discharged too deeply and harm will already be done.

6 The different ways of measuring a battery s state of charge Specific gravity (SG) of the electrolyte Battery voltage Amp-hour meter The battery monitor is an amp-hour meter 4 Victron Energy Energy efficiency of a battery Charge efficiency of a battery Effect on capacity of rapid discharging Is capacity lost at high rates of discharge? Useful features of a battery monitor Event counting Data logging 4. Battery charging: the theory Different types of battery have to be charged in different ways. This section reviews the optimum charging characteristics of the most commonly used types of lead-acid battery. Introduction Three step (I U U) charging The bulk charge The absorption charge The float charge Equalizing Temperature compensation Overview Conclusion: how should a battery be charged?

7 The house battery The starter battery The bow thruster battery 5. Charging batteries with an alternator or a battery charger The alternator with a standard voltage regulator as used in automotive applications is far from being the best solution, and certainly not where several batteries, separated by a diode isolator, need to be charged. The alternator When the alternator has to charge more than one battery Introduction The problem A wide range of solutions Keeping it simple and low cost: the microprocessor controlled battery combiner Increase alternator voltage A multistep regulator with temperature and voltage compensation The starter battery The bow thruster battery Battery chargers. From AC to DC current Introduction Optimised charging Charging more than one bank The multiple output battery charger A dedicated charger for each battery Using microprocessor controlled battery combiners 5 Victron Energy 6.

8 electric equipment and Energy consumption The daily Energy consumption of continuous and long duration low power consumers (refrigerator and freezer) is often underestimated, while the Energy consumption of short time high power consumers ( electric winches, bow thruster, washing machine, electric cooker) is often overestimated. Introduction Power and Energy Refrigeration Introduction Theory of the heat pump The refrigerator and freezer in practice Air conditioning electric winches, windlass and bow thruster A battery powered washing machine and dishwasher? Ever thought that electric cooking on battery power was possible? The diving compressor How to deal with the inrush current of AC electric motors Conclusion 7.

9 Generators AC generators The diesel engine will last longer if it has to work A hybrid or battery assisted AC system Don t forget the problem of limited shore power 3000 rpm or 1500 rpm (in a 60 Hz environment: 3600 rpm or 1800 rpm) DC generators 6 Victron Energy 8. Micro power generation: thinking different This chapter brings us to the central theme of this book : how to optimise safety and comfort, and at the same time reduce weight and size of the power supply system . Introduction New technology makes the DC concept more attractive The DC concept DC generators Unlimited inverter power The AC concept can be improved with PowerControl The AC concept The AC concept with generator free period PowerControl New: the hybrid or battery assisted AC concept, or achieving the impossible with PowerAssist PowerAssist Other advantages when operating Multi s together with a generator Shore power Thinking different Daily Energy needed Battery capacity Shore power 7 Victron Energy 9.

10 Up to 4 kWh required per day (170 Watt average) Introduction Equipment and current consumption Navigation instruments GPS VHF Tricolour navigation light or anchor light Autopilot Radio Cabin lighting Refrigerator Consumption over a 24 hour period when sailing At anchor or moored without 230 V shore pick-up The extra s Electronic navigation system SSB Radar Microwave oven Space heating Air conditioning Water maker How to recharge the battery Generate current with the main engine Increase battery capacity A second or bigger alternator Solar cells Wind generator Water generator Shore power Conclusion 8 Victron Energy 10. Up to 14 kWh required per day (600 W average) Introduction Equipment: the minimum Navigation equipment Navigation light and anchor light Autopilot Refrigerator and freezer Cabin lighting Radio Other consumers Sailing At anchor or moored without 230 V shore power pick-up The extra s Hot water kettle electric cooker Small washing machine Small dishwasher Energy generation With alternators on the main engine Alternative sources of Energy With an AC generator PowerControl and PowerAssist The AC generator on a relatively small boat.