Electrical Consumption Plan

Millie J’s electrical consumption plan has evolved into a system that is easy to follow.  When using all ship-board components needed during a normal day, we use about 100 amperes.  Since we usually run the engine to make hot fresh water and sometimes to leave or enter an anchorage, the refrigerator and watermaker are also run during this period.  The engine’s alternator thus covers the 55 amps needed for these systems with the solar panels producing the balance of power needed.  (On cloudless days the solar panels will produce about 60 amps.)

When sailing for an extended time with the trailing generator deployed, there would never be a need to run the engine unless you wanted to use the water-heater.  Alternately, we find cook-stove heated water more than adequate.  The use of a cockpit Sun Shower is another option.

Millie J never wants for electricity.