Refrigeration and Battery Banks

[kwilson1033]

As I said in a previous post thread, I am a new owner of a Catalina 320. For the first time I not only have a refrigerator but also a 4 6 volt batteries. (the mechanic that worked on my boat said it would be the best system) I was wondering if anyone had any hints as to how to manage the power consumption. We are heading off on a 3 week cruise and I would be grateful for any tips.

As part of our trip we will have our grandkids aboard and I was hoping to hook up a small (hopefully portable) inverter to allow us to play DVDs on a little 20" TV with built in DVD at night before they go to sleep. This will only take place at the most 4 evening of the trip otherwise we will be at a dock or on land.

I would appreciate any insights you may have.

Ken

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Your battery bank will have a capacity of 400+ amp hrs, 200 is useable before recharging. A typical refrigerator will use something like 50-60 amp/day. Add lights, instruments, etc and you should be able to get 2-3 days before recharging. If you run the engine at all during your cruise, keep in mind it will never provide a full recharge; conventional wisdom says the best you could hope for is usually around 85%. That's the simple answer, your mileage may vary...

 

[Big Windy]

Four 6v batteries is an excellent system...I have the same system in an RV. My 320 has two 4D batteries. How do you plan on recharging your batteries? If you have access to shore power every night you'll be fine.

 

[Calif. Ted]

Couple large bags of ice in bottom help reduce load on frig., we can go several days without charging and usually run out of hot water before battery power.
You will appreciate the ice during "Captain's Hour" also, some nautical libations are incomplete without ice cubes.