ELECTRICS

---

The following is the 20-point electric specification for Silentstorm. Updated 16-Jun-2021: requirements 2 and 19 were merged, as they were not really different requirements. A new requirement has emerged, one that will be difficult for any catamaran to satisfy:

 20: SOUTHERN OCEAN CAPABLE. See the SOUTHERN OCEAN BLOG for more details.

1. SILENT RUNNING - Provide as close to silent running as possible.
2. ZERO EMISSIONS - Provide zero emissions for all power needs - propulsion, heating, cooking, navigation etc. By corollary, this also means there should be no diesel, propane or gasoline systems on board. 
3. ZERO LEAKAGE - Provide zero leakage (gas or liquid).
4. ZERO ELECTRIC CONSUMABLES - Ensure zero electric consumables are required for 5 years (e.g. no fuel, fuel filters, battery replacements, zinc anodes, additional cables, static dischargers etc. ).
5. BETTER HORSEPOWER THAN GAS - Provide better horsepower than equivalent diesel engines, for longer hours (i.e. 2 x 45HP 850-1000 miles at 4 knots/hour).
6. HURRICANE AVOIDANCE - Provide engine speed > 10 knots/hour for 250 nautical miles.
7. ALL TEMPERATURES - Ensure electric systems can continue to function without degrading in all temperatures, from -20 degrees centigrade to +40 degrees centigrade.
8. CORROSION PROOF - Ensure the entire system, including all attached components, is corrosion proof (electrochemical, galvanic, and electrolytic).
9. WATERPROOF AND DUSTPROOF - Ensure the entire system is at least waterproof and dust-proof to IP67 and preferably to IP68.
10. SHAKE-PROOF - Ensure the system is shake-proof. If we are pounding through large waves for days on end, the system should not become dislodged or degrade in any way.
11. ZERO-SUM GENERATED POWER - Provide self-generated power continuously through hydro, solar and wind generators such that engine batteries will not normally be required while under way.
12. EASY TO CONTROL SYSTEM - Provide an easy-to-use battery management and electric motor controller system that integrates easily with other control systems
13. REDUNDANT CONTROL SYSTEMS - Ensure control systems can continue to function in the event of catastrophic failure in a primary system.
14. INTERNATIONAL SHORE POWER - Provide capability to engage shore power at 110V and/or 220V/240V to recharge batteries faster and to reduce cycling of batteries.
15. SURGE PROTECTION - Provide surge protection for shore power. 
16. BATTERIES AT 80% AFTER 10 YEARS - Provide batteries that retain 80% of battery charge capability after 10 years, and be warrantied for this time
17. BATTERIES DO NOT OVERCHARGE - Ensure batteries do not ‘over-charge’ and degrade as a result. System should be able to run autonomously without human intervention in this regard.
18. SEPARATE PROPULSION AND HOUSE SYSTEMS - Provide separate battery systems for ‘house’ electrics and engine electrics. If some idiot (probably myself) leaves a device running and it drains all the house power, the electric motors must still run.
19. 24V DC AND 240V AC HOUSE POWER - Provide a ‘house’ system that is capable of running continuously, and (in normal sailing and anchoring conditions) self-sustainably. Base the standard power on 24V DC and 240V AC. 
20. SOUTHERN OCEAN CAPABLE - To truly prove an all-electric boat is viable, it should be able to function in all climes, temperatues and sea conditions. The Southern Ocena presents a unique set of challenges.