I own a 1999 Hunter 410. It has the standard factory battery set up, ie. 2 ea. 4 D house batteries in parallel and a series 24 starter battery. I also use a Heart Freedom 20 Inverter / Charger. I am considering installing a Heart Link 10 battery monitor. I am interested in finding out from other 410 owners who have invested in the Link 10 how happy they are with this device. Are there any installation problems, suggestions, advice? Is it recommended to purchase the Heart offered twisted wire pairs? Is there any alternative to the Link 10 that may be a better choice?
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Link 20
You might want to get the Link 20 which is basically the same thing as the Link 10 but it monitors two banks rather than one. The installation is pretty straightforward, I used the special Link cable which is pretty expensive but nice since all the colors match up easily. The toughest part is fitting the ends of the wire into the tiny little gate clamps on the unit. I've found it to be a very usefull addition, let's you keep an eye on your batteries easily. Good luck!
You might want to get the Link 20 which is basically the same thing as the Link 10 but it monitors two banks rather than one. The installation is pretty straightforward, I used the special Link cable which is pretty expensive but nice since all the colors match up easily. The toughest part is fitting the ends of the wire into the tiny little gate clamps on the unit. I've found it to be a very usefull addition, let's you keep an eye on your batteries easily. Good luck!
Link 20
We also have a Link 20 on board our 37. The Link can control the Heart interface and turn on the charger or inverter. We have all house batteries as one big battery and use the 2nd battery section of the Link 20 to monitor the wind generator. Works nice. We used the Heart interface supplied cable as well. Its nice that it has the proper sized wire and all of the colors match and the pairs are twisted as needed. Installation is easy, just run the interface cable and phone wire between the Heart Interface and the Link and hook it up. Bill Bell
We also have a Link 20 on board our 37. The Link can control the Heart interface and turn on the charger or inverter. We have all house batteries as one big battery and use the 2nd battery section of the Link 20 to monitor the wind generator. Works nice. We used the Heart interface supplied cable as well. Its nice that it has the proper sized wire and all of the colors match and the pairs are twisted as needed. Installation is easy, just run the interface cable and phone wire between the Heart Interface and the Link and hook it up. Bill Bell
Link 10
I had the Link 10 on my previous boat (catalina 30) to monitor the house batteries. It was nice to have. I plan on installing one (or the Link 20) on the 376 I just bought.
I had the Link 10 on my previous boat (catalina 30) to monitor the house batteries. It was nice to have. I plan on installing one (or the Link 20) on the 376 I just bought.
link 1000
I opted for the heart interface LINK 1000 on my 410. (Same setup as yours except that I added a third 4D in my house bank.) One big advantage of the Link 1000 is the ability to equalize the batteries periodically. The newer link is supposed to work better with the Heart 20 inverter. Love mine.
I opted for the heart interface LINK 1000 on my 410. (Same setup as yours except that I added a third 4D in my house bank.) One big advantage of the Link 1000 is the ability to equalize the batteries periodically. The newer link is supposed to work better with the Heart 20 inverter. Love mine.
Just completed installation of Link 20
Just this past weekend I completed the installation of my Link 20 on my 290. I have not had the time yet to use it but I did test it and it does work. On my old boat I an analog meter that at least told by the voltage of the battery. On my new boat I hated not knowing the state of the batteries. I build all of the cables myself, mostly because West Marine didn't have the pre built ones, and it was a little bit of a challange as you have to install a 2amp fuse holder in 3 of the cables. I put the batteries onto the boat and I could get the voltages and amperage draw as I turned things on. Once the boat is back in the water (in a month or so) I will go throgh the entire set up procedure.
Just this past weekend I completed the installation of my Link 20 on my 290. I have not had the time yet to use it but I did test it and it does work. On my old boat I an analog meter that at least told by the voltage of the battery. On my new boat I hated not knowing the state of the batteries. I build all of the cables myself, mostly because West Marine didn't have the pre built ones, and it was a little bit of a challange as you have to install a 2amp fuse holder in 3 of the cables. I put the batteries onto the boat and I could get the voltages and amperage draw as I turned things on. Once the boat is back in the water (in a month or so) I will go throgh the entire set up procedure.
Link monitors
We had a link 20 on the last boat (H340) and intend to install one of the link monitors on the 410. It is an invaluable device for the weekend or longer cruiser who doesn't sit on a slip alll the time. What it does point out is the inadequacy of the standard charging system. We could never get sufficient charge restored in the 340 without an occasional stay on a slip. I'm planning at least a 3 stage regulator and most likely a high output alternator on the 410. On the 340 we had 3 group 27s in the house bank and a group 24 in the start bank. The 410 will have 4 golf cart batteries and a group 27. I don't think I'm going to bother monitoring the start bank on the new boat as it will never be used for house operations. The link is most valuable for deep cycle operation monitoring. The 410 connects the house bank to the start bank for starting anyway so the point is moot for start reliability. The last decision is whether you want to control the inverter through the link monitor or not. Scott
We had a link 20 on the last boat (H340) and intend to install one of the link monitors on the 410. It is an invaluable device for the weekend or longer cruiser who doesn't sit on a slip alll the time. What it does point out is the inadequacy of the standard charging system. We could never get sufficient charge restored in the 340 without an occasional stay on a slip. I'm planning at least a 3 stage regulator and most likely a high output alternator on the 410. On the 340 we had 3 group 27s in the house bank and a group 24 in the start bank. The 410 will have 4 golf cart batteries and a group 27. I don't think I'm going to bother monitoring the start bank on the new boat as it will never be used for house operations. The link is most valuable for deep cycle operation monitoring. The 410 connects the house bank to the start bank for starting anyway so the point is moot for start reliability. The last decision is whether you want to control the inverter through the link monitor or not. Scott
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