Tag: solar

Vlog 333: The Write Stuff

Posted on May 20, 2024August 5, 2024 by David Johns

Two things: a) after at least two years, I have finally finished by book all about the canals, and 2) an update on the Twiggy refurbishment.

Vlog 332: Charging Ahead

Posted on May 10, 2024August 5, 2024 by David Johns

The first (possibly to-be-annual) Electrika event for people to get together and discuss electric propulsion on canal boats and narrowboats was held last weekend; I went along and this is my document of the proceedings.

Why don’t you get all-solar narrowboats?

Posted on February 23, 2024February 23, 2024 by David Johns

It sounds great, for sure. A narrowboat needs only 1-2kW to move along (once it has begun moving) thus a 20kWh battery pack could sustain 5-10 hours travel (presuming standard

Electricity on canal boats: the basics

Posted on January 23, 2024February 23, 2024 by David Johns

It’s not something you have to think about in a house – other than paying the bill – but on a boat, the electricity supply will be something you really

Vlog 313: Hip-Hip Hoo Wrey!

Posted on October 13, 2023February 24, 2024 by David Johns

It’s 18 months since I sold my canal boat, “Wreyland”, but I’ve just been back to see what the new owner has done with it – and it’s had quite the makeover!

Vlog 260: Power Ranger

Posted on March 11, 2022May 7, 2024 by David Johns

A sit-down chat about how the new 540W solar panel helped over winter, and mention of the lead carbon batteries I installed in summer 2019.

Vlog 251: The Bright Side of Life

Posted on November 3, 2021May 7, 2024 by David Johns

This is a long video indeed. It covers the complete installation and configuration of an additional 540W solar panel along with two new Epever Tracer MPPT solar charge controllers and all the wiring etc.

Vlog 244: Electric Dreams

Posted on July 13, 2021May 7, 2024 by David Johns

At the end of May 2021, I attended a narrowboat trials day arranged by boat builder Ortomarine. Starting on the River Severn and going up the Droitwich canals, eight boats using a variety of power plants would have their fuel, efficiency and any solar input measured and compared. This video summarises what happened and the results.

Vlog 169: Hire Purpose

Posted on April 15, 2019February 24, 2024 by David Johns

I visit a narrowboat hire firm in Gilwern, South Wales, on the Mon & Brec canal. Amongst their fleet of conventional narrowboats they also have two fully-electric ones that don’t even have solar or a generator on board. So how have they managed this feat when it would be impractical elsewhere? Watch and find out!

Vlog 168: Positive Charge

Posted on April 7, 2019February 24, 2024 by David Johns

In this vlog I visit the “Pamela May”, a trip boat run by the charitable Droitwich Canals Trust. We see their current boat and hear about the excellent work of the Trust but visit Ortomarine, the company building the Trust’s brand new, all-electric powered boat.