We're Solar! (Finally)

Wew Hoo!   We are solar powered! Not solar propelled yet, although we did technically pass that milestone a while back, if only temporarilly with the experiemntal system. With the support canopy finalized, cross braced, anchored and stained we could finally mount the first two panels for good and finish the wiring for a complete micro power system that should serve us well until the major upgrade comes later, when we'll add another 4 kiloWatts of photovoltaic capacity and the electric drive system. With a few more batteries and another 500 Watts, this system will meet all our house power requirements leaving about 3.5 kiloWatts that will be dedicated to propulsion. For now, with about 450 Watts, we have enough capacity to easily run our refrigeration, lights, and consumer electronics. Although the inverter can power the air conditioner, we tested this, we don't have quite enough solar or batteries to operate it continuously, YET.

But it is enough for refrigeration and that's a major milestone as far as we're concerned. Since we live aboard while working on this project, maintaining 24/7 refrigeration as been a major challenge. We Americans don't fully realize the luxury we have in our daily lives until you live without electricity for any length of time.  This is not to say that we have been living without electricity as we do have a very nice Honda generator but we must purchase and fill this machine daily with gasoline and keeping it running continuously is both a lot of work and money.  Since we're not plugged into the grid for the electric, when we leave, the food must all be consumed or come with us which is not always convenient. Now that we're plugged into the sun, no problem any more. This will also be good for keeping the bilge pump operational while we're gone for the summer.

Once the 2 panels were up and secured on the canopy structure and the last of the wiring was complete, Carter started working on the sun deck above the cockpit.  But first, he had to complete the support structure for that by putting in posts behind the engine room hatch.  He just happened to have found matching posts in the shorter size...perfect!

Aluminum was cut to fit the beam going across for added strength and structure.

With all of the structure in place, he next placed an aluminum sheet down to keep the cockpit dry and shady.  The flooring is next.

A view from underneath, inside the cockpit.

Next, and this is the stage he is at presently, he is installing the flooring, notching in the railing spindles as he goes.

Here is a shot with 4 planks in place.  Carter states that he will have floor completed by the end of today. 

We have had to split the work day in 1/2. We work in the cool of the morning, have lunch, take a siesta or do our internet work through the HOT part of the afternoon and then work again until it's too dark to see anything. With the temps getting into the 90's you can bet that we run for cover during the heat of the day.  We either go to the library or Charlies Coffee Shop.  I do believe that Charlie will be sad to see us go as we have been regular customers of his.  Who can blame us?  Charlie has created a very nice atmosphere in which to do research and work on the blog.

The Halcyon has been visited by a Halcyon (Kingfisher bird) of late and I finally was able to catch him on camera.  Above he is perched on the

Below he moved to the railing.

Then over to the gangplank

Down to the spring line to catch bugs in the lily pads.

The boat was moving back and forth giving the

bird a ride up and down on the spring line!  :-)  I enjoy watching nature.