SDA250 Power Struggles

When the inverter says the batteries are critically low and the battery BMS says they're fine, somebody is sending mixed signals. We duck out of Jamaica Bay with squalls rolling in and a broken saildrive shifter cable adding to the excitement as we beat into wind, rain and waves toward Long Island. With the anchor dropped and checked in the crystal clear water of Gordon's Bay, yet another barracuda keeps an eye on Lisa. We borrow a friend's truck and search Long Island for 15W40 oil for our weeping engine. A power failure sends Captain Dave into repair mode when the inverter reports critically low batteries while the battery BMS insists they're fine. Sailing from Crooked Acklins to Long Island in the Bahamas, with rough-weather cruising, saildrive repairs, engine maintenance and troubleshooting a lithium battery power system aboard our cruising catamaran. -------------------- 🌊 Sailing Dark Angel follows our real-life journey sailing the Caribbean aboard our Island Spirit catamaran, sharing the challenges, adventures, and everyday moments of liveaboard sailing life. -------------------- 🎥 Become part of the Crew on Patreon Without a Crew, a Ship Has No Direction. Join the crew on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sailingdarkangel -------------------- ⛵ Follow the journey beyond YouTube https://sailingdarkangel.com Lisa's personal blog is being added now. 🍻 Like what you see? You can even buy us a beer. Business inquiries: partners@sailingdarkangel.com -------------------- 📰 Featured in sailing media Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine 🍹 Rum tasting article https://digitalmagazine.latsatts.com/sailingdarkangel-5456 🌊 Bahamas snorkeling article https://summer2023.latsatts.com/theresthisplace#a_aid=640782a615fd9&a_bid=0e47bed1 Pussfoot Magazine https://www.pussfoot.com/blogs/water/sailing-dark-angel-sailing-and-slow-cooked-ribs -------------------- 🍹 The Dark Angel Cocktail We created our own signature drink, the “Dark Angel,” which placed 3rd in a Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine contest. If you’d like to try one yourself or order one at your favorite watering hole, here’s the recipe: Kraken Spiced Rum Ginger Beer Muddled Mint Slice of Lime If you try it, let us know what you think! -------------------- ⚓ Marine Electronics Support We trust Sea-Tech Systems for expert marine electronics advice and support aboard Dark Angel. If you're planning upgrades or troubleshooting onboard systems, these are the guys we rely on. https://seatech.systems/ See how they helped us: https://seatech.systems/2022/02/16/sailing-dark-angel-tests-sea-techs-marine-electronics-advisor-service/ -------------------- 🎒 Gear we trust We take our Ugowear waterproof bags EVERYWHERE. Amazing company, amazing gear. Affiliate link: https://ugowear.com?aff=34 -------------------- 🛠 Help keep Dark Angel sailing Amazon Wishlist https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/KYJVC8ZWGHY2 -------------------- 👕 Dark Angel & Be Nauti Swag https://spoiledbratdesigns.com/product-category/sailing-dark-angel-clothing-and-accessories/ -------------------- 📱 Follow the journey Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sailingdarkangel X https://x.com/SailinDarkAngel TikTok https://tiktok.com/@sailing_darkangel Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sailingdarkangel -------------------- 🎶 Opening and closing song “Who We Are” by Miah From the band NINETEEN EIGHTY SEVEN Miah generously allowed us to use this song on the channel from the very beginning, and we've loved it ever since. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/6WaNVPlzMwFn7WCVT3gVcJ https://nineteeneightyseven.com -------------------- Lisa & Dave Sailing Dark Angel © Sailing Dark Angel 2026