All installations on a boat pose a few extra challenges compared to installations on land. You have to contend with a harsh and damp atmosphere along with constant vibrations from the engine. It is not a surprise that installations that would be fine on land do not last very long on water. This is why it is important to choose a company that has the relevant credentials. At Off Grid Engineering all of our work is carried out to the BMEEA code of practice and installed by BMET qualified engineers. If you are fitting out or fully refurbishing your boat or looking to upgrade your lead-acid battery to the more efficient Lithium ion, we have the perfect solution for you.
There are many options available to generate your own energy for your boat. You can harness the energy from the sun using standard or flexible solar panels and there are plenty of small turbines designed to generate energy from wind. These will continue to generate even when you are not on board meaning you can always start your trip with a full battery. It is also better for the health of your battery to not let it run flat especially during the winter season. Save money and time by not having to plug into the marina to charge your battery.
By using a battery to power your boat you can benefit from some peace and quiet by turning off your engine or generator but still having power available. By using your engine less you will reduce the wear and tear and help extend the life of your engine. You will also save money by burning less fuel.
We will design a bespoke system that completely integrates with your current electrical and electronic equipment. This also means if you require more power in the future we will easily be able to add to the capacity of your battery or generation equipment.
Battery chemistry has developed rapidly over the last few years. Lithium technology has replaced lead acid as the battery of choice. Lithium can store more energy, has a longer lifespan, and takes up less space. Upgrade your existing lead-acid leisure battery to Lithium and have more power without taking up any more space or adding to the weight of your boat. We use a combination of lithium and lead batteries so we can ensure your critical load is always maintained.
We can connect your system via an off-grid 4G device to the internet. This will enable you to monitor every aspect of your system from how much energy you are using to how much charge is in your batteries. At Off Grid Engineering we will monitor your system to pick up any potential issues such as your battery health for the lifetime of your system. You can also track your boat using GPS monitoring and set up a Geofence that will send an email alert if it goes outside the area you have fenced.
Run standard household appliances and charge your electronic devices by installing an inverter.
Flexible solar panels are an excellent option for boats and barges. As the name suggests they are flexible which means they can easily be fitted without the extra weight of a frame. As they are super low profile there will be no wind resistance. They are also lightweight, a standard solar panel weighs around 20kg whilst a standard flexible panel weighs in at less than 3kg.
All car manufacturers use Lithium battery technology in their electric vehicles. If you think about it, that is a little surprising as the car industry has been using lead-acid batteries for decades! There are a number of reasons why Lithium is the chosen battery chemistry even though it is more expensive initially.
Here at Off Grid Engineering we feel our knowledge, experience & passion in all things off-grid sets us apart from our competition.
Here are the reasons why we are the number one choice for all Off-grid projects:
1
Unlike many of our competitors we specialise solely in off-grid systems. This gives us the upper hand when it comes to having the knowledge and experience required to ensure you constantly have an uninterrupted power supply 24/7, 365 days of the year. The integration of solar PV, batteries and a generator is best left to highly skilled, specialist engineers.
2
When it comes to when and how we require energy, everyone is unique. There are many aspects to consider. We always take your lifestyle into consideration and then design the perfect solution for you. Whether you are looking to go blue water sailing or use a heat pump in your home, we have got you covered.
3
None of us can predict the future. With technology being ever changing it is hard to predict what your energy usage will be in a few years’ time. With our modular system, you can relax safe in the knowledge that we can easily add to your existing system if your energy demand grows. So, you don’t need to worry if you have plans to switch to an electric vehicle or explore the inland waterways of Europe.
4
Once we have completed your installation our relationship does not end there. We will continually monitor your system, and offer instant remote diagnosis and technical support to ensure your system is operating at peak efficiency for life. Due to the unique way, this product is powered by your battery bank you can be confident that you won’t lose connectivity.
5
It is always nice to feel in control. We will provide you with access to the Victron Energy web based monitoring portal. This will allow you to look at data on your systems performance both historical and live time, using your laptop, tablet or smartphone. We will help guide you through the portal so you will have a thorough understanding of your personal power supply.
6
During any project, it is much simpler to have one point of contact. Here at Off Grid Engineering we will manage the entire project for you from design, to installation and then continue with ongoing monitoring. As we do not sub-contract you can be confident that all the work will be carried out by experienced off-grid engineers.
