Systems

Electronics

The navigation system on the bridge is driven by a Garmin multifunction display chartplotter.  It is a 12-inch display, giving room for multiple screens and making the images large enough to easily read at a glance.  We usually operate the chartplotter with two screens, one of the chart zoomed out and one of the chart zoomed in, providing detail on the immediate area and a view of the larger area ahead.  The display can be set to have one large screen, two screens, and 4 screens, displaying multiple sources of data.

The chartplotter is mounted on a teak swivel table, providing storage for all the stuff you need navigating and allowing the screen to be positioned more toward the captain, the navigator, or so both can read the screen.

It is interfaced with many inputs to provide a wide range of data.  There are three devices mounted on the mast to gather information:  a Garmin GPS antenna to give accurate position and speed; a Sirius XM weather antenna for weather maps; and an 18" Garmin HD radar dome.  The radar can be displayed as a separate screen or overlaid on top of the chart.

An AirMar intelligent transducer is mounted in the hull, providing very accurate depth information.  The reading can be adjusted for accuracy and the desired reading.  It is now set so that it reads 0.0 when the keel is touching bottom.

Charts for all of the US are in memory of the chartplotter.  A chip with all of the charts for Canada is mounted in the slot.

The chartplotter is interfaced with the Standard Horizon Matrix AIS VHF radio.  The radio also functions as an AIS receiver, sending information to the Garmin so that AIS targets can be displayed on the chart.  The Garmin provides GPS information to the radio so that the MMIS system can broadcast an accurate position in case of an emergency.  Both the radio and chartplotter can display information in units of the operators choice.  Currently, the chartplotter is displaying mph and magnetic direction.  The radio is set to display knots and true direction.  The radio is also a multifunction device.  In addition to being a VHF radio, MMIS emergency beacon, and an AIS receiver, it functions as a loud hailer and a foghorn, with settings for underway and at anchor.  It can be set to monitor multiple channels at the same time.

A demonstration of the AIS receiver in the VHF radio sending information to the Garmin chartplotter.  This image was captured as Last Dance traveled south on the Hudson River passing NYC's Manhattan.  Every one of the red triangles represents a boat within 2 miles of Last Dance's position.

A Robertson autopilot guides the boat in a straight line when on long passages.  It reduces pilot fatigue and saves fuel as it drives a more accurate, straight course than a curvy course being hand-steered by the pilot.

The autopilot as serves as the display for the rudder location - the display window on the right shows the direction and degrees of rudder angle.










Fuel System

Last Dance has two 225 gallon aluminum fuel tanks.  She was originally equipped with cast iron tanks, the standard at the time.  In the early 90's, the cast iron tanks were removed and replaced with duplicates constructed in aluminum.

The fuel management system (at right) at first looks like a bundle of snakes.  As soon as one understands its function, it all makes sense.  The rectangular device top center is an electric fuel pump.  It can be used to transfer fuel from one tank to another or can be used to provide fuel at pressure when bleeding the fuel system after replacing an on-engine fuel filter.  Three Racor fuel filters are plumbed into the system: one for the port engine, one for the starboard engine, and one for the generator.  Each Racor is equipped with a vacuum gauge with a tale-tail needle to indicate when the filter needs to be changed.  Each engine and the generator are equipped with their own filters on the engines providing double protection.  Many spares for each of the filters are aboard.

The valves will allow either engine to be feed from either tank.  The diesel fuel aboard has been turned over many times in Last Dance's recent travels, so the tanks have fresh fuel without a buildup of algae and asphaltites that can develop in a boat that is rarely used.

Over the 20,000 miles Last Dance has traveled since beginning the Great Loop in 2011, she has averaged 2.44 gallons/hour and 2.77 miles per gallon.


Electrical Systems

Shore Power - Last Dance has two 30A inlets on her starboard foward cabin.  She is equipped with two 50' long 30A cords, a twin 30A to one 50A connector, a twin 30A to a single 30A connector, two 15A to 30A connectors, and a 30A to 15A connector.  This allows for connection to shore power at any marina, no matter their electrical connections, including:

One 50A
One 30A
Two 30A
Two 15A
One 15A
One 30A 100 feet from the boat

In our cruising, we have powered Last Dance in all of the above cases.  To illustrate, a link to the West Marine catalog for a twin 30 A to one 50A connector is below.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/marinco--eel-y-adapter-50a-125-250v-male-to-2-30a-125v-females--12998423?recordNum=4

Electricity comes into the boat through two galvanic isolators, which reduces the stray electrical charges that can erode underwater metals, such as thru-hulls, rudders, shafts, and props.  Each power supply is equipped with a galvanic isolator.  To read more about isolators, click on the link below:

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/promariner--prosafe-fs30-30-amp-galvanic-isolator--9368630?recordNum=2

From the isolators, power is fed through a Magnum 2800 pure sine wave inverter/charger.  The charger function is the best 3 stage charger system available for quick battery charging and longer battery life, with up to 120A charging possible.  It is equipped with a temperature sensor which keeps the charger from overheating the batteries during the charge cycle.  A description of the Magnum can be seen in the below link.  There is also a 30A charger mounted as a back-up system.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/magnum-energy--ms-series-pure-sine-wave-inverter-chargers--P009_271_002_511?pCode=8632879

The Magnum is equipped with a battery monitor and remote programming device, Magnum calls an me-rc.  Description below:

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/magnum-energy--me-rc-remote-control--8632911

On Last Dance, the remote control and programmer for the Magnum is mounted on the lower helm in a custom teak mount, matching the helm.  In this photo, the Magnum is on shore power, charging in the absorb mode.








Alternator Power - Battery charging underway is handled by two alternators, one mounted on each main engine.  The starboard engine has an automotive type, internally regulated Delco alternator which charges the engine start batteries.  The port engine has an externally regulated, 100A custom built Delco alternator which charges the house batteries.  The external voltage regulator is a Balmar, equipped with a temperature sensor so that it does not overheat the batteries during the charge cycle.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/balmar--ars-5-12-volt-regulator--7807969?recordNum=14

There are two spare alternators aboard, one of each type for each engine.

Batteries -  Two series 27 batteries are wired in parallel to serve as start batteries for the main engines.  They produce over 200 CCA to easily spin the engines to start quickly.  This battery bank also serves as the start battery for the generator and the generator alternator charges this bank.  The Lofrans windlass is powered by this bank.

Four series 31 batteries are wired in parallel to serve as the house bank.  This bank is wired through a fuse directly to the inverter/charger and through a selector switch to the breaker distribution panel.  New connector cables were custom made for all the batteries in 2018.

The boat was originally equipped with three 8D batteries, with proved to be too heavy to be changed by the crew.  A new battery box was constructed out of Starboard to securely hold the smaller, but more powerful, groups of series 27 and 31 batteries.

Power Distribution

During one of Last Dance's refits, a new breaker panel was constructed.  (apologies for the quality of this image)  The DC controls are on the left side of the panel with a voltmeter, ammeter, main breaker, and breakers for each circuit.  The AC power controls are on the right, with a voltmeter, ammeter, and two AC main breakers, one for each 30A feed.  It sits behind a darkened plexiglass door for protection from accidental strikes while still allowing it to be viewed without opening the door.

The DC side power source is controlled by a selector switch so that it can be powered by the house bank, starter bank or both.

There is a wiring, control, and distribution panel in the engine room.  It, too, looks like a bundle of snakes until you study it, then it all makes sense.  The rectangular box at the top is the Balmar external regulator controlling the alternator on the port engine charging the house bank.  It has a display panel on its face, reading its model number in this shot - A5.  The display changes from voltage, temperature, type of battery, charge state.  It is programmable for type of battery, power of alternator, and belt load.

The rectangular box just below and to the left is the Magnum computer for the remote control.  The connector to the right with all the black ground wires is the shunt, which provides information to the Magnum computer about how many amp hours of battery have been expended or charged.

Below that is the fuse for the power feed to the inverter, under a protective clear plastic cover.  The gray electrical box houses the breakers for the aft and forward head systems.

The two round switches control the power source for the engine starters - starting bank, house bank, both, or off.  One for the port engine, one for the starboard.


Sanitation System

The entire sanitary system was replaced in 2010 - every hose, clamp, toilet, holding tank, valve, pump.  The only exceptions are the original deck pumpout fitting and the Lectrasan, which was sent to the factory for a complete rebuild.  The system was designed according to the principals described by Peggie Hall in her book, Get Rid of Boat Odors: A Complete Guide to Marine Sanitation Systems.

The system consists of a forward head, plumbed directly to the holding tank, a rear head plumbed to a y-valve directing the flow to the holding tank or the Lectrasan.  The holding tank discharge is connected to a y-valve for pumpout on deck or to a macerator pump.

Raritan Elegance heads were selected for their power, ability to control water use, quality construction, and great appearance.  They look like a household toilet with very clean lines and no bundles of hoses protruding out the sides.

The forward Elegance is a simple system for ease of use by guests.  It is a freshwater flush with a one-button control.  Push the button and the bowl is evacuated and rinse water flows in.  Freshwater keeps this rarely used toilet smelling nice.

The aft toilet is computer controlled.  Yes, simple systems are usually the best, but there are features of being controlled by a computer that make the head much more functional.  There are 4 different flushes - empty only, water only, single flush, and triple flush - allowing the toilet to meet the need for each flush using the least amount of water.  The toilet computer is interfaced with the Lectrasan.  Push the Lectrasan button, and the toilet automatically goes into the triple flush mode to provide the Lectrasan with enough salt water to function properly.  The aft toilet can flush with freshwater, or raw water.  The switch at bottom right controls the type of water.  A simple switch that goes to the computer to power a pump for raw water or a solenoid valve for fresh water.  The toilet has its own pump, strainer, and thru-hull for the raw water.  The control panel also has a gauge for the holding tank to indicate the amount that it is filled.  The only size Elegance toilet manufactured at that time was 12" tall, so solid teak risers were constructed to bring the toilets up to a comfortable seating height.  More information on Raritan Elegance toilets is in the link below.

https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=4153565

The holding tank is a custom made polyethylene tank by Ronco Plastics.  It has a 33 gallon capacity and is mounted lower than the toilets.  It was made with two vents on opposite sides, plumbed to port and starboard side vents with 3/4" tubing.  This dual-vent system provides fresh air to the tank so that aerobic bacteria work on the waste (which do not give off odors) rather than anaerobic bacteria (which give off foul-smelling odors) that live in most holding tanks with only one vent.  Peggy Hall's system works!  But, few boats are equipped with properly designed systems.

https://ronco-plastics.com/

The aft toilet is plumbed to a Lectrasan marine sanitation system manufactured by Raritan.  It uses salt water and electricity to produce acid that treats the sewage - better than land-based municipal treatment systems, according to the manufacturer.  This system is particularly useful in the Bahamas where there are no pumpout facilities.  The Lectrasan system has been replaced with a newly named Electro Scan.  Both operate on the same principle.  Description below.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/raritan--electro-scan-12v--P011_334_002_508?pCode=7893571&mrkgcl=481&mrkgadid=3202694939&cm_mmc=PS-_-Google-_-GSC%3ENonB%3EProduct%2520Type-_-7893571&product_id=7893571&adpos=1o1&creative=108421552684&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQjwov3nBRDFARIsANgsdoGS0r9mDYoPDuzf4VMDrL5dtghAfN_xjCyJeO14vWDWNM5JI6zNM4caAigcEALw_wcB