We have now gone 1250 miles, with another 1450 to go until we reach Nuku Hiva, Marquesas. The problem is that the figure we were given for the fuel consumption of the generator of 0.8 gallons per hour has turned out to be wildly inaccurate. We have calculated that the actual consumption is at least 2 gallons per hour, possibly a little more. This means that if we carry on at our present rate, with the generator running 24 hours, we will arrive in the Marquesas running on vapour, or if we encounter bad weather, then we will quite possibly run out of fuel.
What we have done to rectify the situation is to switch off the generator and turn on the hydraulic alternator instead, which uses 1.2 gallons per hour, and is capable of running all the essential systems, and is now happily charging the batteries too. We will have to go without air conditioning and the oven but so what, frankly.
We have also switched the water heater off, but the engine room is too hot (another problem) so as the water tank is in there, I think my shower will be hot anyway.
I am now very happy that I had work done on the hydraulic alternator in California, because the fact that it uses less fuel than the generator is making all the difference on this trip, which is long, the longest I will ever do... Hello to Fred and to Molly.
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