I just put a stereo and VHF on my '03 260 and I would like to be able to use an electric cooler, and a few other things. My concern is my batt running out out of juice. how does everyone else chrge their batts? If Im anchored somewhere or dont have access to shore power how should I charge the batts, I dont really want to keep starting the motor all the time. Whats worked for everyone else out there? Thanks Brad
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
T
Tom
Hope you have a large battery bank
cuz that refer will eat juice! At least two deep cycles, three would be better. The only way to charge if you can't plug in is eng, wind or sun. They all work at different rates. Good luck
cuz that refer will eat juice! At least two deep cycles, three would be better. The only way to charge if you can't plug in is eng, wind or sun. They all work at different rates. Good luck
J
John Baumgartner
P
Paul
Gotta do the math
Find out how much your electric cooler draws, that will be the greatest load by far. It'll be in the manual. My Adler Barber Cold Machine draws 5 amps when the compressor is running, which is about 50% of the time. That adds up to 60 amp hours per day. However mine is a full-size boat fridge, an "electric cooler" sounds like something smaller. For the sake of example, figure it draws about half of that. Add 10 more amp hours for your stereo, anchor light, etc. for a daily total of 40 amp hours. The VHF draw is minimal. A Group 27 battery has about 80 amp hours, so you're right under the wire for a single overnight, because you should never discharge a battery to lower than 50% of full charge. I'm assuming you have a manual start outboard so you don't need battery power for cranking. For more than a single night out, a couple of big solar panels could nearly replace 40 Ah on a sunny day, but they'll be expensive. It's cheaper to buy more batteries and charge 'em up when you get back to the marina. We've tried the generator route, the Coleman I have is so loud that we can't stand to run it. Maybe the Honda that John mentioned is quieter.
Find out how much your electric cooler draws, that will be the greatest load by far. It'll be in the manual. My Adler Barber Cold Machine draws 5 amps when the compressor is running, which is about 50% of the time. That adds up to 60 amp hours per day. However mine is a full-size boat fridge, an "electric cooler" sounds like something smaller. For the sake of example, figure it draws about half of that. Add 10 more amp hours for your stereo, anchor light, etc. for a daily total of 40 amp hours. The VHF draw is minimal. A Group 27 battery has about 80 amp hours, so you're right under the wire for a single overnight, because you should never discharge a battery to lower than 50% of full charge. I'm assuming you have a manual start outboard so you don't need battery power for cranking. For more than a single night out, a couple of big solar panels could nearly replace 40 Ah on a sunny day, but they'll be expensive. It's cheaper to buy more batteries and charge 'em up when you get back to the marina. We've tried the generator route, the Coleman I have is so loud that we can't stand to run it. Maybe the Honda that John mentioned is quieter.
J
John
Honda
I too use a honda portable generator. They are very, very quiet and light. Mine is the 750W model that I use exclusively for charging. It is 26 lbs and runs at about 65bd according to the manual. The 1000W that the other John mentioned is better if you are using items with high amperage draw. However, your first step would be to calculate total load and then decide generator size. One word of caution though, watch out for carbon monoxide - install a detector in the cabin. Never have had a problem but I read of people getting into trouble from stoves and other things while anchored and I am always on the side of caution. Happy sailing
I too use a honda portable generator. They are very, very quiet and light. Mine is the 750W model that I use exclusively for charging. It is 26 lbs and runs at about 65bd according to the manual. The 1000W that the other John mentioned is better if you are using items with high amperage draw. However, your first step would be to calculate total load and then decide generator size. One word of caution though, watch out for carbon monoxide - install a detector in the cabin. Never have had a problem but I read of people getting into trouble from stoves and other things while anchored and I am always on the side of caution. Happy sailing
J
Johnny
The Math
Ok,,kinda long,,but these are the specs according to John Vigor: The amount of energy stored in batteries is usually rated in Ampere Hours (commonly called amp-hours.)You can calculate your average daily amp-hour requirements by listing all the items aboard your boat that consume DC electricity from your battery bank. Note the number of watts used by each item and then estimate the number of hours, or portions of an hour, te item is used each day. Where items are rated in Amps rather than Watts, multiply Amps by Battery Voltage to get Watts. Then multiply Watts by Hours, and you have your daily watt-hour requirements. Divide watt-hours by the battery voltage,(usually 12) to get Amp Hours. Example: Appliance Watts Hours Watt-Hours Anchor Light 10 10 100.00 Bilge Pump 48 0.2 9.6 Cabin Fan 12 6 72.0 Cabin Lights 48 5 240.00 fm/am radio 2 4 8.0 tape deack 15 4 60.0 VHF(recieve) 6 12 72.0 VHF(transmit) 60 0.2 12.0 K,,that is just some basics,,but here is the Formula: Add em all up. 683.2 is the Totall Watt Hours on a 12v system divide 683.2 by 12 to get Amp Hours: Totall Amp Hours for this case is 56.9 Call this 60 Amp Hours. Now bear in mind that only 40% of your total batt capacity is really usable. The resulting necessary battery capacity becomes about 200 amp hours, (40% of 200=80) I know is a bit confuseing, but that is the rule of thumb I go by. This data can be cross checked, ( wich I suggest you do) many places. I got the info from 'The Practical Mariners Book of Knowledge by: John Vigor. I use Flex Solar Panels to keep mine charged, cause is a smallish boat and they stow easily out of the way. And I strongly agree that Dual or Tri Battery bank is best. Johnny
Ok,,kinda long,,but these are the specs according to John Vigor: The amount of energy stored in batteries is usually rated in Ampere Hours (commonly called amp-hours.)You can calculate your average daily amp-hour requirements by listing all the items aboard your boat that consume DC electricity from your battery bank. Note the number of watts used by each item and then estimate the number of hours, or portions of an hour, te item is used each day. Where items are rated in Amps rather than Watts, multiply Amps by Battery Voltage to get Watts. Then multiply Watts by Hours, and you have your daily watt-hour requirements. Divide watt-hours by the battery voltage,(usually 12) to get Amp Hours. Example: Appliance Watts Hours Watt-Hours Anchor Light 10 10 100.00 Bilge Pump 48 0.2 9.6 Cabin Fan 12 6 72.0 Cabin Lights 48 5 240.00 fm/am radio 2 4 8.0 tape deack 15 4 60.0 VHF(recieve) 6 12 72.0 VHF(transmit) 60 0.2 12.0 K,,that is just some basics,,but here is the Formula: Add em all up. 683.2 is the Totall Watt Hours on a 12v system divide 683.2 by 12 to get Amp Hours: Totall Amp Hours for this case is 56.9 Call this 60 Amp Hours. Now bear in mind that only 40% of your total batt capacity is really usable. The resulting necessary battery capacity becomes about 200 amp hours, (40% of 200=80) I know is a bit confuseing, but that is the rule of thumb I go by. This data can be cross checked, ( wich I suggest you do) many places. I got the info from 'The Practical Mariners Book of Knowledge by: John Vigor. I use Flex Solar Panels to keep mine charged, cause is a smallish boat and they stow easily out of the way. And I strongly agree that Dual or Tri Battery bank is best. Johnny
B
Brad
generators???
didn't expect such detailed responces but thanks a lot just the same for those of you answered. For those of you who have generators how big are they, how big are your boats??? If I went the generator route I would like the quiet over charging if practical. I mean I would rather run a quiet gen. for 2 hours than a loud one for 1 hour. Do you keep yur gens on your boat. Thanks, Brad
didn't expect such detailed responces but thanks a lot just the same for those of you answered. For those of you who have generators how big are they, how big are your boats??? If I went the generator route I would like the quiet over charging if practical. I mean I would rather run a quiet gen. for 2 hours than a loud one for 1 hour. Do you keep yur gens on your boat. Thanks, Brad
J
John
generators
Brad, I sail on a h23 and I use the generator while anchored with no discomfort. This unit light and very quiet! Go to any lawn care or bike ship that sells Honda equipment and ask for a demo. Here is a link if you would like to read more.
Brad, I sail on a h23 and I use the generator while anchored with no discomfort. This unit light and very quiet! Go to any lawn care or bike ship that sells Honda equipment and ask for a demo. Here is a link if you would like to read more.
D
Debra B
how many amp hours do you have?
If you are only going out for weekend trip now and then, a good sized battery bank may be able to hold you over for a day - especially if you can a block of ice for the cooler. The honda generators are quiet. Solar is also quiet. My guess is that whatever Hunter gave you for a house bank is too small - generator or no. I can go 2 (or more) days without charging, even with refrigeration running.
If you are only going out for weekend trip now and then, a good sized battery bank may be able to hold you over for a day - especially if you can a block of ice for the cooler. The honda generators are quiet. Solar is also quiet. My guess is that whatever Hunter gave you for a house bank is too small - generator or no. I can go 2 (or more) days without charging, even with refrigeration running.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.