The days following our lightning strike were a whirlwind of chaos, amazement, and significant frustration. When lightning strikes a sailing boat, it can affect everything from the standing rigging to the hull and, of course, anything electrical. This left us with a pressing need to assess what was still functioning. Would the motors work? Did we still have access to our charts and communication systems – all crucial for safety. Without delving into every minute detail, it quickly became apparent that our top priority was the electrical system, including the refrigerator.
To Tahiti
One of the primary reasons we chose Tartaruga was its simplicity, and the electrical system was no exception. Similar to RVs, Tartaruga is equipped with both a DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current) power system. Our 400 AMP/HR Battleborn batteries form the backbone of our system, as we strive to live off-grid as much as possible, relying on renewable energy rather than petroleum. The first task was a quick trip to Tahiti to replace the Inverter/Charger, which converts power from the batteries to AC and charges the batteries. This was a straightforward task but an expensive one in French Polynesia!
Getting AC Power Back
Fortunately, we knew exactly who to contact for an Inverter/Charger. I hopped on the ferry and headed to Marine Supplies. We reached out to them immediately, and they kindly reserved a unit that met our minimum requirements. Victron Energy is our preferred brand, so we secured a 2000-Watt Multi-Plus Compact. Although I would have preferred a 3000-Watt unit, it was unavailable. A lesson for aspiring cruisers: you take what you can get, and that’s the end of it. After a few more stops in Tahiti, I returned to the ferry terminal to install our new Inverter/Charger.
The next morning, we received a call from a fellow cruiser we had met in Makemo a few months earlier. We had no idea he was a refrigeration technician back on land. He reassured us that the compressors were fine and that all we needed was the “black box” (brain box) to get everything running smoothly. As luck would have it, they were selling their boat and were happy to part with their spare black box. Another win! It worked, and our refrigerator, which was full of provisions, was back online. Now, we faced the more daunting task: the DC system.
Now for the DC
The DC system was nearly a total loss. From the battery cut-off switch onward, almost everything powered by our 12V DC system needed replacement. While this was disappointing, it also presented an opportunity! We could redesign the system to meet our needs and standards, drawing from decades of RVing experience and our time in boating and sailing to create the perfect system for Tartaruga. A totally clean slate.
We began with distribution. I learned that while marine breaker panels are nice to have, the breakers themselves can be hard to find, and a new panel is outrageously expensive. The alternative is switches and fuses. This solution, along with marine fuse blocks, is far less expensive, easily replaceable, and allows for efficient power distribution, reducing the amount of wiring needed. We decided to purchase toggle switches and Blue Seas fuse blocks to distribute our 12V power. Of course, none of this was available in French Polynesia. Now what?
Fortunately, Tami had a preplanned trip to the United States to visit family and friends. This trip now had a new purpose: she would be an international mule for all the parts we needed to fix the boat. This meant I had to get the order right the first time. So off she went with her backpack and several empty duffle bags, and I started placing orders on Amazon.
Note: In a separate post I will dive solely into which products I choose and why. Then later we will review our choice and products to recommend any changes.