Project BlueSphere has brought so many wonderful things to me over the years. Since I “let go & un-plugged” my life has aligned with my path and unless I’m battling with an aggravating and overly complicated system I’m pretty much at peace, ARRRRGGGGG, ALTERNATORS!
When I first bought Splendid I started to design her electrical system. I had a Balmar maxcharge in Namaste and had the whole “equalizing” thing down. However I had to replace the maxcharge once in the time I owned Namaste and it seemed a bit excessive to spend over $600 for the ability to control the voltage that goes to a simple alternator field wire. When I got Splendid I was determined to find an alternative to expensive “marine” voltage regulators and its been a long road.
Splendid came with a 110 volt charger that had an “equalize” button. Well I went to a dock to plug in only to find it didn’t work. I then decided that equalizing with my solar panels was the simplest way to go and tried that. Problem with that is you need to charge 
up your batteries and have constant sunlight for the time you want to equalize. All I want to be able to do is throw 15 or so volts at the battery bank for 5-8 hours?
Then I got into my Kubota project and designed a 3.5HP diesel charging system that I never really got running the way I wanted to. Well I’ve realized I’ve been F’ing around with a way to equalize my batteries for 4 years and still can’t do it.
You know some exterior alternator regulators work in conjunction with the internal regulators, and some you need to bypass the internal regulator. Well with the Balmar maxcharge I need to bypass the internal regulator. So it’s back to Panama City to the alternator shop, AHHHHHHH, I’m pulling out my hair! I opened the alternator and know what needs to be done, I just don’t have the tools.
How did this simple thing get so bloody (RASSENFRACKEN *&&^$%^%@@) complicated? The answer is… I “Alex Dorsied” it! I can only say that sometimes (for me) the path to minimalism takes some trial & error. I need to make all my own mistakes and unfortunately learn everything the hard way.
I’m sure once I bypass my alternator’s internal regulator my maxcharge will work wonderfully to equalize and charge my battery bank. My only question is for how long? An indirect or direct lightning strike will render it garbage as will a corroded and weak terminal as everything is embedded in epoxy, that’s what happened to my last one. I need to find a cheaper alternative.
I’m really not a fan of sensitive electronic electronics on a sailboat. After my maxcharge is installed I will find a simple rheostat design to control the voltage to my alternator’s field wire, it’s far from rocket science and I don’t feel so good about just spending $325.00 on such a simple thing.
Bruce(far right) was a gr8 guest, really, he was a pleasure to have around. He helped with the dishes and took it upon himself to help me with various projects and even give Splendid a bottom job. We had a lot of laughs and once again Project BlueSphere brought me a new friend. We spent a lot of time with our Brazilian friends Mani (center) and Rafi (below left) aboard Brava. Carla has become good friends with Rafaela (Mani’s wife), they took some funny pictures of us the other night when we went over for movie night. Bruce has a vagabond and will be setting sail to go cruising soon.
He brought me a number of things from the states. Let me just say that my memory foam (2” 5lb) topper is a back saver.
He also brought my new editing computer which is supercalafragiclally AWESOME, however It 
draws 9-12 amps. When my kickstarter funding comes trough (19) days I will order a Honda EU2000 generator to power it. I also just realized that if I have a portable and ultra quiet generator I’m going to want to get a powerful LED video light for interviews on the beach and narrative scenes. I’ve nearly reached my goal of $1,600 and if I get some extra money over my goal I will spend it on some production toys (rail system). I also want to upgrade my version of Adobe Premiere to CS5. I really want to 
make an important film for the cruising community and will pour a lot of effort into my next production. I’m toying with an alternative title, “The Philosophy Of Cruising”?
Life with Carla is beautiful. We are having fun, eating well, swimming, laughing, and living life the way it should be lived. She has a girlfriend coming from Zurich (Switzerland) with her boyfriend for a few days.
Once again I find myself putting San Blas on a few more weeks’ hold. My kickstarter campaign ends in 19 days and once I gain access to the funding will order my little generator and possibly an LED video light.
Sometime next week I need to return to Panama City to visit the alternator shop and finally get my charging system in order. My new batteries don’t hold a charge well and I’m hoping to bring them back to life with some good voltage. I will however cruise to Playa Blanca (under 10 miles) and spend some alone-time with Carla. It has a nice white sand beach and no boats.
I really want to thank my readers who visited my kickstarter page to help out. Maintaining Project BlueSphere does take some money, effort, and work. It’s really nice to know that I have some support and that my words, pictures, and videos are appreciated. Thanks guys!
The rainy season has quietly appeared and Splendid is dry. I haven’t seen a drop of water inside and within a week Carla and I will also be dry in the cockpit with our enclosure, woot! As I get a little older my appreciation for comfort increases : )
Carla has written a new blog about her new life on Splendid. To check it out go to the members tab/Carla’s journal. With so many of my readers dreaming of cruising only to have their dreams doused by an unsure/skeptical girlfriend or wife’s desire to stay on land, I’m hoping that you guys might point your female partners in Carla’s direction. She is really honest and your partner having a source to ask questions about this unique lifestyle might help you along the way?
Peace, Love, and Coconuts from Panama!
