great-loop@lists.trawlering.com
Cruising America's Great Loop and other inland routes
View all threadsRe: GL: Battery-inverter-charger questions
Jim:
Sounds like you have started with a nice boat. However, you don't
say what sort of power load she needs an inverter/battery bank to
support. TVs, coffee pot, hair dryer, computer, a few 12v
lights? How long do you plan to be away from shore power at a
time? Also, how big are the alternators on the Volvos? Give us that
information and the problem will become easier.
If I am allowed a guess, I guess you have a power cat?
Bill
At 06:38 PM 2/23/2008, you wrote:
I have recently purchased my first boat and ..snip...
Bill
Lark is a 42 ft Californian LRC (Aft Cabin). The current charging system
was listed on the survey as: (ALTERNATOR): One 60 amp alternator
(estimated), belt driven on each engine.
CHARGING SYSTEM (BATTERY CHARGER): Lewco model 1240 forty-amp charger.
BATTERIES: Carquest size 4D batteries (2), and one Autocraft group 24
battery for the genset.
Regarding anticipated power load and length of time from shore power,
whatever figures I supply now will be a guess from a novice but here goes.
Based on the many Great Loop Books I have read (including those by G.
Bickley Remmy, Rob & Eva Stob and others) I figure on anchoring 4 out of
every 7 days or more during the trip. The key requirements would be DC
lighting, refrigeration, XM radio, microwave, coffee pot (should have put
this one first) and on occasion, TV and VCR (or DVD). During extreme hot or
cold spells perhaps the a/c or heat. I would anticipate utilizing the
genset when necessary. I have plenty of room in the battery compartment for
at least 3 or 4 more batteries.
Am I on the right track?
Jim
-----Original Message-----
From: great-loop-bounces@lists.samurai.com
[mailto:great-loop-bounces@lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of Bill Donovan
Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2008 7:14 PM
To: great-loop@lists.samurai.com
Subject: Re: GL: Battery-inverter-charger questions
Jim:
Sounds like you have started with a nice boat. However, you don't
say what sort of power load she needs an inverter/battery bank to
support. TVs, coffee pot, hair dryer, computer, a few 12v
lights? How long do you plan to be away from shore power at a
time? Also, how big are the alternators on the Volvos? Give us that
information and the problem will become easier.
If I am allowed a guess, I guess you have a power cat?
Bill
At 06:38 PM 2/23/2008, you wrote:
I have recently purchased my first boat and ..snip...
http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop
To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address,
unsubscribe, etc.) go to:
http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/options/great-loop
Your refrigerator will likely be the biggest problem, especially if
you don't have a modern and efficient 12 vdc unit such as the
Novakool, Tundra or newer Norcolds. If you have 120 vac unit
and plan to power it with an inverter it will consume several times
the amp hours as an efficient 12 vdc fridge. Concentrate most of
your attention on the refrigerator.
Jim Fidler "Fiddlesticks"
This subject has been pretty-well covered by the respondents, but I do want
to disagree on equipment selection and stress the need for perfect
installation. You need to find an ABYC electrician at a reputable yard:
Bock; Jarrett Bay; Sailcraft, etc. The wires must be of the correct guage
and preferably ABYC plus 10%. In addition to getting the wiring right, the
correct size and type fuses and breakers must be installed.
An experienced cruiser (George Hechtman) recently selected a Magnum
inverter/charge with remote monitor and generator auto-start. The company
was formed by the engineers who used to design the Heart Freedom inverters
before they were bought out by Xantrex, a Canadian conglomerate.Magnum
provides fantastic technical support while Xantrex can't spell it. Magnum is
American made and reasonable in price. Xantrex is made in China in batches
(sometimes you cannot get a warranty replacement and they don't do repairs.)
Get a Magnum sine-wave inverter as you never know what obscure appliance
will be offended by a modified (clipped) square wave inverter. You will need
the big charger that comes with a 2500 watt inverter to adequately maintain
a large housebank of golf cart batteries. BTW, depending upon age, your
Lewco is probably a good charger if it is a three-stage model. To avoid
having to refill your lead-acid batteries frequently (a modern charger ought
not boil off much water) you can buy "Hydrocaps" which capture the gas and
return it to liquid form using a platinum catalyst. Solar energy companies
often sell them at a modest discount, but they ain't cheap. Try to buy
Trojan batteries from one of the many golf cart vendors here in Eastern NC.
Ron Rogers
1985 Willard 40FBS
AIRBORNE
Lying Washington, NC
p. 33 of Calder's book mentions Hydrocaps with regard to temperature control
of the batts. They add to temperature control problems of the battery.
I interpret that paragraph to be that they should not be used unless a
temperature sensing circuit is installed for the batts.
R.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Rogers" rcrogers6@kennett.net
To avoid having to refill your lead-acid batteries frequently (a modern
charger ought
not boil off much water) you can buy "Hydrocaps" which capture the gas and
return it to liquid form using a platinum catalyst. Solar energy companies
often sell them at a modest discount, but they ain't cheap.
The Magnum inverter/charger has a temperature sensor feature. 27 years ago,
John Surette was recommending Hydrocaps. Perhaps today's knowledge gives
better insight into their operation, but as long as you have a truly modern
charger with , I don't see a problem. I do think that price might rule them
out. Platinum is not getting cheaper.
Ron Rogers
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ralph Yost (home)" Ralph@AlphaCompServices.com
| p. 33 of Calder's book mentions Hydrocaps with regard to temperature
control
| of the batts. They add to temperature control problems of the battery.
| I interpret that paragraph to be that they should not be used unless a
| temperature sensing circuit is installed for the batts.