The Problem

Sailing yachts and canal boats need either to have run the engine or to be connected to shore power to have hot water. Moored up somewhere for any length of time they only have cold water. Cold showers! Misery! 

2 GY Controller Solutions

a) With12v/300w Replacement Heating Element

for Quick boilers

If, like most sailing yachts, you have a Quick water heater, you can replace the existing mains heating element with a 12v one of ours that is rated at 300w and that then connects directly to the GY Controller, itself connected to your 12v domestic battery pack. (Currently not Lithium). The heating element includes access for a temperature probe.

The controller monitors the battery voltage and if that is over 12.2v, it switches on the heating element if the water temperature is under 46°C and not over 52°C. If you have been running the engine the heat exchanger runs as before – it is separate to the electric heating element.

 Minimum solar system requirements:

300w of solar panels and 200Ah of domestic battery capacity

Optional:

remote system monitor.

b) Using the existing 110/220v heating element

If, like most sailing yachts, you have a Quick water heater,  it will only turn on if you are connected to shore power. The engine heat exchanger also contributes if you run the engine. 

This version of the GY controller is similarly connected to your domestic batteries, but instead of being connected to a replacement 12v water heater, it is connected to a dedicated inverter that is connected to your existing heating element. Here too, it turns on the heater (via the inverter) when the battery voltage is over 12.2v. It relies on the existing thermostat for water temperature control

The controller monitors the battery voltage and if that is over 12.2v, it switches on the heating element if the water temperature is under 46°C and not over 52°C. If you have been running the engine the heat exchanger runs as before – it is separate to the electric heating element.

 Minimum solar system requirements:

400w of solar panels and 300Ah of domestic battery capacity

Optional:

remote system monitor.

RESULT: Hot showers and Happiness.