electric power

[john withrow]

I have a hunter 26 1994. there are several lighter sockets for 12v power. Can I use a power inverter to run a radio(bose wave) safely? I do have a portable GFI unit that I can hook up. I have the original gel battery with the honda 9.9 providing charging to it. How long do these batteries usually last(life of batt)thanks,

 

[Ray Bowles]

Shore Power?

John, Do you have shore power and a battery charger that is an ac/dc converter? or just a 110/12v reducer. We have a 110v cfi curcuit before our smart charger and can run all reasonable 110v appliances or just about unlimited 12v equipment. Let me know and I have a electrical wiring diagram from the former owner of our boat who was an electrican that might help. It also has the Honda 9.9 motor with charging curcuit and gel battery. Our boat is a 1995 H26. Ray

 

[R.W.Landau]

inverter

John,If you are charging with your motor and using a small inverter into your cigarette lighter outlets, it is pretty safe. If you are mixing shore power with an automotive charger, you are crossing the line.If you bring power onboard with a portable GFI unit, it be careful. Test the source for polarity and ground. Stop at a marine store or electric supply house and ask for a polarity tester and ask how to use it. They cost about 5 bucks. If the ac coming in has no ground or reverse polarity your ac is extremely dangerous. Only use the ac to power run things that are not connected to the boat or the dc system. If you connect an ac automotive charger to a battery you have severely increased your risk factor. I can not try to explain electricity here. no time no space and random thought can be misleading. Ray,An electrician on land does not understand the grounding, bonding, electrolysis and galvanic corrosion that takes place on a boat. A poor system can induce many corrosion facilitators.r.w.landau

 

[Steve Dion]

With proper charging.

John:With proper charging a gel can last 10+ years. We just replaced our gels this year. We had purchased 2 West Marine gels in May 1990 and replaced them in July of 2000. Considering we never had to worry about checking them and they are left on an onboard charger year round. They really are the least expensive batteries on the market. We are now trying AGM batteries. We just installed a Statpower 40 charger that should keep these batteries at their prime.

 

[Ray Bowles]

r.w. landaw. Good Point well taken1

r.w. I agree with your comment about the differences between wet and dry applications of electrical power. I shall respectly withdraw this diagram.