Big Lottery Funding for Challenge

Yesterday The Big Lottery Fund, Awards for All, published their latest round of grants. Amongst them was your very own Docklands Canal Boat Trust. They have awarded us an amazing £9,488 to take forward a major Energy Management Project.





Overview of proposed power management

This important development includes:

• Ripping out all the old power cables
• Replacing the 2 x 110amp battery bank with a 6 x 110amp battery bank
• Replacing the 12v alternator with a 24v model and splitter
• Replace the small charger with a new inverter/charger
• Install new energy management controls
• Install new solar panels
• Install a new wind generator
• Using the redundant leisure batteries and charger, create a separate battery bank for the wheelchair lift


There is a tremendous amount of enabling works that need to be undertaken before we can put the initial framework in place. All this work will be undertaken by our small dedicated bunch of volunteers.

Why don’t you join us as a volunteer and make it a big bunch?

 



This lot has seen better days

History of electrics on Challenge

When Challenge was constructed in British Ship Yards they used heavy gauge material for all the work. This included isolators, switches, cable and fuses. After 27 years on London’s waterways the whole setup had seen better days. Most importantly we have had a number of energy failures and we need to consider modern usage of power and green energy. It took us a couple of years to agree on what we actually required and get in a position to bid for funding.

Green energy

As volunteers most of us have been green for some considerable time, unfortunately we could not say the same for the boat. The main source of power on Challenge has been a large generator that burns red diesel. We have to admit we have thrashed this unit over the past two years and we need to remove it and give it a complete overhaul, (next spring). We are also restricted with its use early in the morning and late at night.

We now want to concentrate on sourcing our energy from four main areas:

• From the engine whilst running the boat
• From solar power all year round
• From wind power when weather permits
• From the generator only as a back up
• From shore power when it is available

Crucially we need to reduce our reliance on the generator and significantly reduce our fuel costs.

Over the next few weeks we will be posting progress on our blog and via email as this project develops. If you want more information on this project, our charity or volunteering opportunities you can contact us in a number of ways:

• Email to dcbt.challenge@gmail.com
• Email to chairman@dcbt.org.uk
• Follow us on twitter at https://twitter.com/MVChallenge
• Skype us at mv.challenge to chat to a real live Skipper

About The Big Lottery Fund

The Big Lottery Fund distributes half of the National Lottery good cause funding across the UK.  The Fund aims to enable others to make real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need.