Wiring our HYDRO-GENERATOR on Sailing Panda!

Interested in how our Hydro-Generator works? Well this is the video for you! We were pretty lucky that our Amel Sharki came from the factory with a built-in alternator on the propeller shaft. The idea being when the boat is sailing rather quickly near hull speed (6-8kts) the big three blade propeller can be put to some use! We have seen a steady 15-20 amps input at 12v, or around 200 watts of juice. The last upgrade to the system was wiring our Victron Energy BMV-712 smart battery monitor to control our Renogy DC-DC charger. We use this device to charge our smart Battleborn lithium ion battery bank from our 'dumb' lead acid starter battery.
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Welcome to our Panda Journey! We are a couple who escaped the zoo of cubicle life with a goal of #sailing to new places, #exploring interesting cultures, and generally having a grand #journey. We are going to learn a lot on these adventures and hope to share our inspirational motto of #DoWhatYouLove through our #vlogging.
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[@jimwatson2629]

Hi Darren and Amanda, we are looking at an Amel Sharki as our next boat. Your videos are great - you have got the content judged perfectly. I enjoy your technical descriptions along with the fun you and Amanda clearly have exploring together. Keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing more of Panda's systems, upgrades and adventures.

[@OuterPassage]

Thanks so much Jim! I do love discussing the various systems on our boat. If you have other suggestions for topics, just let me know! 😍

[@jimwatson2629]

Well, if you're happy to share your thoughts, I'm currently reading Alain Gree's classic 'Anchoring and Mooring Techniques Illustrated'... What is your set up for anchoring Panda? Do you have a favourite anchor, how many types of anchor are you carrying, how much chain/rope do you have, and what windlass do you have. I missed your live stream! Rubbish! I'll be there next time!

[@OuterPassage]

Hey Jim! We have a 35lb Delta with 60m of chain. Plus we have a Danforth anchor and another 40m of chain in the aft locker. Windlass is Lofrans. We always use at least 5:1 scope, plus then deploy 10m of 1/2" three strand with a rubber snubber, as our snubber. Seems to work just fine 👍

[@timoestreich]

Good job explaining that!

[@J-Whit]

Super cool!

[@JayPerrypersonal]

Why 8s the hydro generator connected to starter battery? Ours was fitted by the factory and is only connected to the house bank. Seems to make more sense 🤔

[@OuterPassage]

Our house bank is lithium, so at the time we made this video I didn't have a regulator which I could adjust the charge voltage. I have since rectified that (see what I did there?!) And it charges the house bank directly. And also since then a bearing broke on the alternator...so no hydro atm! 😨

[@bartdebradicaldude]

Hi Darren, is the hydrogenerator standard issued with an Amel Sharki? Or is it a refit? The alternator looks kinda new to me. We currently own an Amel Kirk, but your videos inspired us to start looking for a Sharki! Kind regards, SY Folie a Deux.

[@OuterPassage]

Standard issue. We had the alternator rebuilt, but it's the usual Paris Rhone affair of this vintage. Thanks for watching my fellow Amelians! 🥰👏⚡

[@davidwarnes5158]

Why don't you just run the hydro power to the house batteries, miss out the charger, ? Then you can isolate the start battery when sailing , ? Leave the start just to start, a lot safer , ?

[@OuterPassage]

David, thanks for the question! I could have done that too, I would just need a smarter programmable regulator for lithium. But I did it this way so I had a backup way to charge my house bank via the engine alternator if required. Things get tricky charging a lithium bank!

[@davidwarnes5158]

@@OuterPassage I thought an altinator had to be set different between lead and lith

[@OuterPassage]

Correct, so the DC-DC charger eliminates the need for an expensive programmable regulator like a Balmar. The two alternators I have charge the lead acid, and the DC-DC does the Lithium bank charging.