After ten years of dedication to restoration, we consider Little Debbie herself to be a finished project. As is, she meets or exceeds all expectations for family fun in and around our lakefront community. However, as a test and evaluation platform for anything old to EV-Conversion, alternative internal systems are on the drawing board for motor control, battery management, improved charging capability and even use as backup electrical power for the home. Improvements in motor power and electrical efficiency, improved motor controller cooling, ease of programming operational behaviors within the motor controller, halving of charging time while visiting dockside, and a CANBus-integrated inverter to domestic 120VAC top the list. Each of these will require significant effort and will bolster our knowledge base further.

Completed January 2026

System Summary:

This 12-volt electrical energy storage system is sufficient to power a lightweight, performance sailboat where space is at a premium, weight savings is important, and where shore power is not typically sought. The primary electrical loads are dual GPS chart plotters, AIS, VHF, instrumentation, interior and exterior lighting, and charging of PEDs. For long-duration adventures, self-sufficiency and redundancy are paramount. This system achieves all that in spades.

LiFePO4 batteries are used throughout, due to their light weight, compact size, ease of charging, ease of monitoring, and inherent safety. The system is comprised of main and backup batteries, charged from independent sources, using separate charge controllers, all protected by circuit breakers and programmed limitations. Importantly, this system will remain charged fully, even during end-of-season sailing with less solar energy available and greater demands on interior lighting.

A bread box-shaped modular assembly makes installation and removal of the entire system an easy process for just one person. A third battery is installed remotely and serves to provide starting energy for an outboard motor.