new gear: fuelcell

IMG_0143Voilà! My brand new fuel cell! The probably single most expensive piece of equipment which should hopefully resolve my power problems (see e.g. MAP 2012) for good.
The fuelcell itself, a Efoy 140 Comfort (which by the way was not provided but I paid for myself), is installed in the “tunnel” under the companionway. A good spot where it’s protected from water and not in the way.
It’s connected to the batteries and monitors their voltage constantly. If the voltage dropy below 12.3V it automatically turns itself on and begins charging the batteries with about 11Amps.
Once the batteries are back up to 13V it automatically turns itself off again.

Should the fuelcell ever fail I still have my solar panel at the transom as a backup on board.

This post is also available in: German


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