12V Power & Gas Bottles

Power is an important issue on a boat. It powers the lights, the water pumps, radios and whole host of other things on your vessel. Unless the motors or the generator are running, power normally comes from a battery. That battery needs to recharged by the motors or perhaps a solar panel. Solar power has the advantage that once the panels are installed (and paid for), you can expect them to deliver power for about 20 years without any additional cost. Given that fuel is continually rising, this is very attractive.

So, how do you calculate how many and what size panels do you need? What size battery is required to provide power during the hours of darkness? These are complex questions, but fortunately, the internet can come to your rescue. The Rainbow Power Company* provides guidance on designing a solar power system and just as importantly finding out what your existing system will provide.

When you enter the web page, select "FAQs" then "System Design" then "Amps & Watt Hour Calculator and Solar Design Tool". The target page allows you to do most calculations you need to understand what a particular solar power system can and can't do.

* The RMBOA does not have an affiliation with the Rainbow Power Company, nor does it endorse any of its products.

Fluorescent Lightning

The most common way to have fluorescent lighting is to use the small fitting that can be purchased from boating or camping shops. These normally have one or two small tubes. These units provide good light are not normally as effective at providing light as the common domestic fluorescent lights (18W or 36W). Larger vessels such as houseboats sometimes have both lighting systems. The use of an inverter allows the use of normal domestic fluorescent tubes. These inverters replace the ballast and capacitor in a normal domestic fitting, allowing the use of the normal domestic tubes.

Light fittings with these inverters already fitted are available, or you can take an existing light fitting and install an inverter. Inverters for 18W tubes and 36W tubes can be purchased from the Rainbow Power Company or other similar companies. Each inverter comes with an instruction sheet for installing the inverter.

My Lady uses a weather resistant (IP65 rated) fluorescent light fitting with an 18W inverter attached to the bimini cover's frame on the top deck. This light is controlled by an IP65 rated switch mounted on the railing. This light is used when the light from the solar powered lights around the upper deck are inadequate.

Fluorescent Lighting Vs LED Lighting

A fluorescent tube emits light evenly in all directions, an LED on the other hand only emits light at a relatively narrow angle from its front. Some LED "lanterns" may have over 50 high intensity LEDs mounted on a flat surface. The output of this type of lantern is more like a broad beam torch than a lantern.

If you are looking for an LED lantern with broad covereage, you need to get a model that has the LEDs pointing in different directions so that the light is spread out.

LED Lighting

One of the prime considerations for houseboat lighting is low power consumption. Where very basic lighting is required without the hassle of running wiring or extra battery drain, the standard solar power path lights can be very useful. These lights use high efficiency LED (Light Emitting Diodes) to provide efficient, but relatively low level lighting. When on special, these units can sell for about $5 each (late-2004). When fully charged, the lights can provide up to eight (8) hours of light. The light level is enough to allow people to move around the deck safely, but not enough to read by.

The units are usually supplied with a socket and spike to plant the units in the ground, It is a simple matter to cut off the spike with a hacksaw and then screw the socket to the railing or other suitable location. The lights can then be attached to the sockets and the job is complete.

Because these units only have a press fit into the socket, it is not prudent to leave the units installed if they could be knocked by branches when you are mooring. Most units have an off-on switch which allows you to store the units without them discharging in the dark. This can be handy if you remove the units when the boat is unattended.

Halogen Lighting

Low voltage Halogen lighting provides an efficient source of light and is available in a number of fittings than are normally connected to a low voltage 12V transformer. These units can be connected to the vessel's domestic 12V battery with the same effect. However, some Halogen lighting has an inbuilt transformer. If you have some knowledge of electrical wiring, or have a friend who does, these units can be quickly converted to run directly from 12V. Most of these lamps have a small fuse in the base. You should ensure that the fuse and the switch are connected in series with the 12V line, not the earth line.

My Lady's cabins have bedside halogen reading lamps that have been converted from 240V to 12V operation. If you convert these lamps, you should leave the disconnected transformer in the base to counter-balance the lamp housing when it is fully extended.

Caution: In the Halogen lights pictured, the 12V supply to the globe is via the metal telescopic stand. This means if you place anything metallic across these posts, you will be shorting your domestic battery. Also if the frame of your houseboat is connected to the battery, knocking over the lamp so that it hits the metal frame may also result in the shorting of your battery. This why it is important that the unit's fuse should be retained in circuit.

There are an increasing number of high intensity LED (Light Emitting Diode) replacements for halogen lamps which feature a much lower power consumption for an equivalent light output.

The fittings on the popular 9kg BBQ gas bottle and the larger 45kg gas bottles found on houseboats are the same. By fitting a longer flexible hose or making a frame to the hold the 9kg bottle at the right height, a 9kg bottle can be used for weekend trips.

Unlike a 45kg bottle, the 9kg bottle can be carried in a car and is easily swapped at most service stations and outdoor stores. Even on a longer voyage, a 9kg gas bottle can be used as an emergency backup that is easily recharged.