XPM78 - Explorer Yacht

[Chris Leigh-Jones]

Shore power connection for hybrid yachts

We have had a merry dance designing a shore power system for Vanguard. The trouble was worldwide applicability (110/230/400VAC, 50/60Hz) and charging 2 large 60kWh battery banks for the Hybrid drive. This needed three phase connections plus single phase when thats all available. Anyhow, I'm sure we will not be the last folk facing these problems so have attached a link to the description and drawing if anyone has similar issues. Apologies if the link breaks any editorial rules, it was well meant.

Chris

https://www.exploreryacht.com/post/shore-power-worldwide-yachting

 

[Hippocampus]

Tremendous amount of thought went into this. Thanks for posting. A education. Are there existing standards from the various societies such as ABYC, Norske, Lloyds etc. that apply to hybrid propulsion and having this much electrical energy onboard ?Do you envision difficulties with insurance?

 

[Chris Leigh-Jones]

Tremendous amount of thought went into this. Thanks for posting. A education. Are there existing standards from the various societies such as ABYC, Norske, Lloyds etc. that apply to hybrid propulsion and having this much electrical energy onboard ?Do you envision difficulties with insurance?

I have yet to find out Hippocampus, how the insurance market views the big power batteries. Its a next year before launch task, my lack of experience on a 24m hull might be a bigger issue! The ones we have installed from Praxis have marine approval (DNV) and isolation in their own containment with its own exhaust, cooling and alarm system so we have a degree of protection in case of runaway. We have also split the bank in to two times 60kWh for the same reason. If the vessel was within Class it would require complete battery room isolation which is near impossible on a huller size <24M. I would be very nervous of just creating big LiPO banks from multiple modular units without consideration of runaway and its effects. House batteries (20kWH MG Systems) are also isolated for the same reason.

 

[Chris Leigh-Jones]

It's been rather a while since we posted anything on this thread. Moved twice and shifted countries in the mean time, now living temporarily in Turkey to complete our build. After some 3 years of looking and then building our own, we finally launched Vanguard and can now go on to start commissioning the various systems. Afloat with no fluids is not for the faint hearted, she rolled rather but as ballast is added that is coming under control. Perhaps a few pictures work better than words so I've loaded up some of those we have. Thanks to Naval Yachts for the build, Magnus Day of High Latitudes and the crew of Eyes Expeditions for their ongoing advice and experience of the similar FPB's. And my Missus for her constant understanding.

 

[twistedtree]

Congratulations. Love the color scheme. Can't wait to hear how commissioning and underway testing goes. Just be patient. That's the best advice I can offer.

 

[Chris Leigh-Jones]

Thanks Mr Twistedtree, it's not my strong point but I get the message. Stability is my prime focus right now, the other systems are coming on line as technicians come available. Some rework occasionally but all within reason. I now have to mentally adjust from planning it to doing it, sometimes we need to take a care of what we wish for! Chris