Due to popular demand by a number of our clients, ZRD has added a service to our product line - Trawler Electrical System Upgrades and Redesign. Our expertise covers many areas regarding vessel modernization, improvement, and outfitting. Specifically, this is a custom designed consulting and modernization service that is uniquely tailored to a specific vessel. We have observed numerous errors and lack of required system components needed on cruising trawlers.
The overall "defect" in design that we have noted is the concept of running everything on 120vac vs utilizing the available 12vdc and space. The original design flow we have noted follows. Vessel is plugged into shore power and everything is being run via 120vac, chargers, and inverters. After engine start, start generator to replace lost shore power and continue as if shore power is still plugged in. When the vessel arrives at it's next shore-based destination, shut down the generator and reconnect shore power. The various flaws we have noted in this logic are: extreme overuse and reliance on fuel (excessive unneeded cost, contibution to polution, ...), lack of freedom (tied to docks and fueling sources), reduced lifespan of components, and the unneeded, redundant, or improper selection of system components.
Instead of a multitude of batteries (easily in excess of 8) assigned to each vessel's system (house, thrusters, windlass, engine start, generator start, ....), a single large house bank that supplies all the loads with proper, shore and engine, 3-stage, temperature compensated charging, and a combined engine and generator start battery with similar shore and engine, 3-stage, temperature compensated charging will produce a perfectly balanced electrical system that has reliable backups, extended component service life, and the freedom to travel without the need for a very long shore power cord or fueling hose. Regarding the freedom to travel, if you have a properly sized and correctly designed battery bank, you will have the ability to cruise and anchor at a multitude of desired destinations that may be unavailable toyou otherwise. The selection of a secluded, off the beaten path, location becomes easily within your reach and not out of the norm. It is all about choices.
After a vessel's system review, a properly designed electrical system will be proposed using modifications, upgrades, or removals. The net result is specifically tailored to each vessel to ensure a correct fit. No one size fits all, but the proper design discussed above, will always be applied.
One may use our consulting service, prior to vessel purchase, to prevent the requirement for the above service and others. Prior to purchasing a new vessel our ability to act as your commissioning representative to ensure that your vessel is outfitted correctly with the proper equipment prior to purchase, shortcuts or errors prevented during commissioning, time schedules not being met pointed out, and that your contract is fulfilled acording to what each party has agreed to. We will be the "buyer's agent". Our only interest is to ensure you are safe, happy, and that the contract's conditions are met. This will cover as little or as much of the process as you need or desire. ZRD oversight of systems will be done as desired. This is available from bow to stern and every item in between.
Our expertise may be used to assist you as it fits your unique situations. Contact us to tailor a custom solution for situations that arise (sometimes long after after your commissioning has completed) and you may find yourself in. We are always glad to be of assistance.