Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 12:03 PM

Commentary from Paul Elliott

As you have read, Jim is working on a problem with the alternator or
regulator on Intention. It sounds like they are unable to charge the
batteries from the engine-driven alternator, and at the moment, have to
rely on their solar panels. As luck would have it, they have had 100%
cloud cover, so the panels are only putting out a fraction of what they
are capable of. Even in full sun, their two panels (one is 100 Watts,
the other is 50 Watts) can’t keep up with the typical current-drain on
the boat.

So, what does this mean? If Jim can fix the engine-driven charger, they
will be able to recharge the batteries, and keep them charged by running
the engine for an hour or two a day. This was the plan. If the charger
remains kaput, they will have to rely on the solar panels. To keep the
boat’s power-consumption within the limits of the panels, they will shut
down all non-essential loads. This means:
* Keeping the computer off, except perhaps to send brief
position-reports and receive weather information. The computer and
radio transceiver will draw a substantial amount of power, so they will
want to run these as little as possible.
* Only occasional email from the boat, for the same reason.
* They will not use their lights very much.
* They will be using their windvane self-steering system,
instead of the hydraulic/electronic system.
* The Radar, GPS and chartplotter will be turned off most of the
time.
* Their refrigerator will be turned off. This means they will
have some feasts as they use up their fresh food.

This should allow them to have at least some “modern conveniences”,
certainly once they get further south and out of their current heavy
cloud cover.

What if their batteries go completely dead? Jim brought his sextant,
tables, and charts, and I am sure that he is keeping his clocks
calibrated. He has several magnetic compasses. He knows how to use all
of these tools. It wasn’t that long ago that these traditional
navigation methods were all that sailors had available. Also, Jim no
doubt has spare batteries for his hand-held GPS. So they shouldn’t have
any problem finding Hiva Oa.

With luck, Jim will be able to get the charger working again. If not,
we may not be hearing much from Intention until they reach the
Marquesas.

By the way, I have added two satellite images to the Weather page on the
website (http://www.sailvalis.com/intention/weather2.htm). These will
let us see the cloud cover along Intention’s route.

-Paul