How do you make coffee on your Ranger Tug?

On Sea Dragon, I installed 2 additional house batteries and a 2500 watt inverter. Andrew helped me with a wiring diagram and a pointer to the wiring for a generator (which I do not have). Now I just turn the generator switch to "on", and my inverter supplies all the AC outlets. Very cool - and I can use it underway too. Naturally, I then plug in my coffee maker and load it with Starbucks Grind - and walla!!! Fresh coffee. Of course - I can also watch TV or plug in my drill or anything else that requires AC.
 
Ed,

How do the battieries get "re-charged" in that configuration?

Thanks

Mark
 
I'm a fan of 12 VDC systems. I like your solution Commander Ed. Coffee is important. 🙂

We looked at an Albin 30 Family Cruiser (two cabins) a few years ago; it was setup with additional batteries and an invertor and had shore power. We considered doing the same (the extra batteries and invertor, already had shore power) in our Albin 27 AC. The Albin 30 FC is the follow-on version of the Albin 25 AC (aft cabin) of the 70s and the Albin 27 AC of the 80s and early 90s.

Living in GA presents a problem in the summertime. Without air conditioning one will have sleepness nights. I have 12 VDC air conditioning on my R21 EC, but I'm not impressed with its performance. I probably should have it examined by a service tech, but it irritates me to have brand new things that don't perform.
 
Some time ago I recommended that those who want quick coffee get an inverter. You might look at portable ones that plug into the cigarette lighter (sorry,12 Volt outlet) I think you can get them up to 400W. Best to all.

Bob
 
Markm, Sorry but did not see your question till now. My batteries are charged by the engine (or by shore power when at slip). So far all works as I expected and have not had any real issues with the charging or in using the inverter. The 2 house batteries are "in line" with the additional 2 house batteries, so it is seamless. I do lose a little storage in the compartment just forward of the batteries (generator compartment), but my inverter is not that large. I think it is better on space than having the generator. BTW - I also have the small "red" honda generator and I can plug in the same lead that comes off the inverter and it powers all the AC as well (including the battery charger). There is no free lunch when it comes to power, but so far it suits my needs. Want to explore solar as well, but waiting for the foldable solar cells to come down in price.
Cheers
Cdr Ed
 
dloop":g5h91dox said:
notaclue":g5h91dox said:
ON THE CHRISTINA BEE, WE KEEP IT VERY SIMPLE. UPON WAKENING I ENTER THE COORDINATES OF THE NEAREST STARBUCKS ON THE WATER, SET THE AUTOPILOT TO SAID COORDINATES, GO BACK TO BED,, AND WHEN THE BOAT MASHES INTO THEIR DOCK,, ORDER A DOUBLE LATTE FROM THE V-BERTH!!!! 😀 😀
Click to expand...

Too funny.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a good system, but when you upgrade to an R-29 I'm not buying your boat!
DW
 
A few posts up, K7MXE reported a stove freezing situation. I too was recently troubled by this problem. I was cruising in temperatures of 5 Celsius (March in the Gulf Islands) and the flame started off OK but soon dwindled in force. Changing cans rectified this problem for a while, then the new supply too was interrupted. I ended up alternating two cans until my cooking job was complete. I wonder if you Nuts have also met with this situation and whether I can hope that warmer weather will bring better performance from my stove. I hadn't cooked with butane before, so perhaps this is not unusual but I just had no knowledge of it. I would appreciate any insight in this regard.
 
I typically don't for day trips. We are tea drinkers. 😉

Seriously though, for a day trip I pre-make tea and/or coffee at home and use pre-heated (using close to boiling water) stainless steel Stanley thermos flasks -- one for tea and another for coffee. These flasks will last us for the day and the tea/coffee stays quite hot throughout the day even as they become depleted.

Onboard, we fire up the Wallas and heat water and use that in a French press for coffee, or a tea bag in a cup or make a pot of tea. I have toyed with idea of using an electric kettle plugged into the galley located 110v outlet when cruising along -- but have not got that far yet (still outfitting our new boat 😉 ).
 
We use the following for all of our outings, whether camping or boating.

Melitta makes a #6 size cone with a long tube at the bottom. The tube fits nicely into the neck of a stainless steel thermos. Just add the filter paper, ground coffee, and pour in the hot water. It works nicely, there's little mess to clean up, and it keeps the coffee hot.
 
In my opinion, you need a French press (Bodum makes glass or plastic pots in various sizes) and a good thermos. While the water heats on your 1 burner, add your prefered amount of ground coffee to the bottom of the press, add hot NOT boiling water, steep to desired strength, press the grounds, pour into the thermos. Done!
 
Why not petition Starbuck's to deliver? Simple - no muss, no fuss and no clean up.
 
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