Having emptied my wallet I now own a Balmar high-output alternator, an Adler/Barbour Coldmachine, 2 group 27 batteries for the house bank, and a separate starting battery. Would appreciate any helpful hints on where and how to hide and connect together all of these goodies on a 1988 Lengend 37. Thinking about under the galley sink for the compressor, and starboard settee for the group 27's.
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Not the sink, not the sink
John G: I don't think you want the compressor in the cabin at all. They are not noisey but they make a lot more noise than you will want there. If you can fit the batteries under the sink (keep the ballast low) and put the compressor in a locker that is NOT in the cabin would be preferable. I do not have a 37.5 (but wish I did) so I am not sure of your layout.
John G: I don't think you want the compressor in the cabin at all. They are not noisey but they make a lot more noise than you will want there. If you can fit the batteries under the sink (keep the ballast low) and put the compressor in a locker that is NOT in the cabin would be preferable. I do not have a 37.5 (but wish I did) so I am not sure of your layout.
More Power
While the two Group 27s is a good start, I think with time you'll probably want more power. More battery capacity will help keep the voltage from going down so low and the batteries will last longer. The refrigeration unit really drains batteries! One thing to consider is the start-up current for motors is significant and this causes a surge in current and a corresponding drop in voltage. Rule of thumb is the starting current is about 3-1/2 times the running current and running a motor at low voltage shortens it life expectancy. To help the motor out the best thing that can be done is to provide high voltage at startup and this takes large conductors and short runs. The earlier Hunters, like our H-35 and probably your 37 came from the factory with conductors sized for the installed loads and not a whole much more. Looking at the holistic picture, upgrade all the conductors and keep the runs as short as possible. I'm putting a subpannel near the battery compartment just for motor loads: Autohelm, refrigeration, water pump, and forced air heater. With regard to compressor location, our Adler/Barbour is locaed under the port settee near the ice box. It takes air from under the ice box and water heater area and blows it out through a rectangle vent in the side of the settee. The noise is barely audible at startup and once it is running it's hardly noticable at all. Suggest listning to one that's been installed. Low voltage might make it sound noiser too. The A/B cycles a lot so if this is a problem you want to get it right. Insulation: Add more (if you can)! Check thickness with an ice pick. When you drill the hole through the wall of the ice box for the copper tubes, consider putting in some wire to run a small light. The new Hunters advertise they have a lighted boxes now so one could probably buy the light fixture and switch as a part.
While the two Group 27s is a good start, I think with time you'll probably want more power. More battery capacity will help keep the voltage from going down so low and the batteries will last longer. The refrigeration unit really drains batteries! One thing to consider is the start-up current for motors is significant and this causes a surge in current and a corresponding drop in voltage. Rule of thumb is the starting current is about 3-1/2 times the running current and running a motor at low voltage shortens it life expectancy. To help the motor out the best thing that can be done is to provide high voltage at startup and this takes large conductors and short runs. The earlier Hunters, like our H-35 and probably your 37 came from the factory with conductors sized for the installed loads and not a whole much more. Looking at the holistic picture, upgrade all the conductors and keep the runs as short as possible. I'm putting a subpannel near the battery compartment just for motor loads: Autohelm, refrigeration, water pump, and forced air heater. With regard to compressor location, our Adler/Barbour is locaed under the port settee near the ice box. It takes air from under the ice box and water heater area and blows it out through a rectangle vent in the side of the settee. The noise is barely audible at startup and once it is running it's hardly noticable at all. Suggest listning to one that's been installed. Low voltage might make it sound noiser too. The A/B cycles a lot so if this is a problem you want to get it right. Insulation: Add more (if you can)! Check thickness with an ice pick. When you drill the hole through the wall of the ice box for the copper tubes, consider putting in some wire to run a small light. The new Hunters advertise they have a lighted boxes now so one could probably buy the light fixture and switch as a part.
Adler Barbour and Batteries.
I concur that you need at least 4 golf cart batteries or a couple 4D's. I recommend the golf carts. You can put them in the port and starboard lazarettes. My Adler Barbour is also under the port settee. I also recommend that you put a 110volt relay switch behind your circuit breaker panel and jump the circuit breaker. When you have 110 volts, you will get 12 volts to your refrigeration unit. When you unplug from 110, you'll have to switch it on manually. Saves a lot of defrosted food and your batteries if the power goes off at the dock while you are gone for a long period. If you want to shut it off while plugged in, just shut off the AC. Good luck! Chuck Wolfe@mail.com
I concur that you need at least 4 golf cart batteries or a couple 4D's. I recommend the golf carts. You can put them in the port and starboard lazarettes. My Adler Barbour is also under the port settee. I also recommend that you put a 110volt relay switch behind your circuit breaker panel and jump the circuit breaker. When you have 110 volts, you will get 12 volts to your refrigeration unit. When you unplug from 110, you'll have to switch it on manually. Saves a lot of defrosted food and your batteries if the power goes off at the dock while you are gone for a long period. If you want to shut it off while plugged in, just shut off the AC. Good luck! Chuck Wolfe@mail.com
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