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Power systems
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 Three
rules for a successful power system:
1. Plan ahead and make a power scheme.
2. Always have a backup system. Count on stuff failing
–
something
always will, and you'll never guess it beforehand. It happens to NASA
rocket missions all the time and it will happen to you.
3. Test run all equipment before leaving.
4. Let a professional electrician check your system. Talking to a
Marine Electrician is even better for a low-current system.
 Charge
controllers and rechargeable batteries
The power provided by the solar panel will fluctuate, and might burn
your chargers if not controlled. Never charge tech gear straight from solar panels and
generators if you are not 100% sure it will be OK.
Use a charge controller (image) between the power source and the
unit charged.
Charge up rechargeable batteries for rainy days or prolonged
cloudy weather.
Battery options for solar panels
Charging a 2.5 Amp battery straight from the
solar panel is a good choice for small, mobile expedition. When the battery gets
hot, it's fully loaded. Don't forget to feel it though or you'll have a
fire. Hook up the battery to a small AC/DC inverter and charge your gear on
high current.
A charger with a built in controller, connected straight to the solar
panel, is a good option for the external computer batteries. This system
also allows for modifications during the expedition if something goes
wrong.
Check out complete Base Camp power solutions
Base Camp batteries
Former Everest BC solutions included an 210 Amp truck-battery with an
automatic controller. Hooked up to a DC/AC inverter, the system allowed
plugging chargers on high current, much like home.
Today there are high-efficient 18 Amp gel-batteries to be found in places like Kathmandu.
Bring three of those to BC depending on your power consumption.
Boating options
 For
building a power system on a sailboat, much the same rules apply, only
they're more
complicated. Solar power is popular, but the angle of the
panels and the shadow of the sail can prove a problem.
Wind power usually receives the highest marks from sailors, especially with
recent developments of very high efficient turbine wind generators.
Boats that like to light up like Disneyworld at Christmas even carry two. Water power
is another option. Check the
Atlantic site, and consult a Marine Electrician.
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