I am going to add a shore power system to my H260 this winter and would like some input as to which components I need. As I see it I need a through hull connector, a 110v breaker, a battery switch(I would like to install 2 batteries), a charger, and some 110v outlets. Can anyone provide some input for which charger to buy? Are other 260's using dual batteries? Thanks for your help in advance. Michael Stephens s/v Pure Heaven
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Couple of considerations.
Michael: The Statpower chargers are very good. If you are going to add AC outlets do you want to consider an inverter too? I would recommend that you look at their website (www.statpower.com) They have reburb'd equipment at discount. These are high quality chargers that can charge Flooded, Gel or AGM batteries. They also have a monitor that can be purchased for about $40. They come in 10, 20 and 40 amp units. I think that a 20 amp unit would be adequate for your setup. I would be very careful in doing this. You need to make sure that you have good grounding. You should probably also get a small AC panel too. This would give you a circut breaker for the charger and another one for the AC outlets. These panels also can be purchased with a polarity indicator (good idea). When you are locating your batteries try to get them as low as possible to the center of gravity. That is about all the advise I can give you. I don't have a 260.
Michael: The Statpower chargers are very good. If you are going to add AC outlets do you want to consider an inverter too? I would recommend that you look at their website (www.statpower.com) They have reburb'd equipment at discount. These are high quality chargers that can charge Flooded, Gel or AGM batteries. They also have a monitor that can be purchased for about $40. They come in 10, 20 and 40 amp units. I think that a 20 amp unit would be adequate for your setup. I would be very careful in doing this. You need to make sure that you have good grounding. You should probably also get a small AC panel too. This would give you a circut breaker for the charger and another one for the AC outlets. These panels also can be purchased with a polarity indicator (good idea). When you are locating your batteries try to get them as low as possible to the center of gravity. That is about all the advise I can give you. I don't have a 260.
One more thing....
When you do add the AC outlets, make sure that they are GFI protected. Boats do get wet and we don't want to see anyone get "Zapped"
When you do add the AC outlets, make sure that they are GFI protected. Boats do get wet and we don't want to see anyone get "Zapped"
Did it myself....but...
I had to take my 26 out of the water cause of hurricane advisory. Took advantage and installed a StatPower dual battery charger, it works for 2 batteries but right now I just have one. I also installed a plastic outdoor AC Braker panel with 4 brakers(is that how you spell braker or breaker? bah...you know what i mean). Instead of using them thru hull(or deck) AC connectors I bought one of them swiftlock(mind my spelling) connector which I fitted inside the AC pannel. I put them both under the cockpit just aft of the stairs, nobody notices them. I took a Pep-Boys 15amp extension which I cut the female end and rewired it with a swiftlock male connector, that I fit to the top end of the plastic AC pannel, looks pretty cool to me. Coolest thing is that I did it myself and cost me less than $60, less charger. I still need to fit 2 AC outlets, but havent decided on where to mount them. Took the female end of the extension, had bout 2 feet slack and left it running out of the braker pannel until I figure out where to mount the AC outlets. An electrician saw my instalation and said it was safe. Oh, and whats GFI protected? Let me know where you mount the AC outlets. I may take pictures of it and post them, if i ever find the camera
....Take care and good luck. Carlitos S/v Martina
I had to take my 26 out of the water cause of hurricane advisory. Took advantage and installed a StatPower dual battery charger, it works for 2 batteries but right now I just have one. I also installed a plastic outdoor AC Braker panel with 4 brakers(is that how you spell braker or breaker? bah...you know what i mean). Instead of using them thru hull(or deck) AC connectors I bought one of them swiftlock(mind my spelling) connector which I fitted inside the AC pannel. I put them both under the cockpit just aft of the stairs, nobody notices them. I took a Pep-Boys 15amp extension which I cut the female end and rewired it with a swiftlock male connector, that I fit to the top end of the plastic AC pannel, looks pretty cool to me. Coolest thing is that I did it myself and cost me less than $60, less charger. I still need to fit 2 AC outlets, but havent decided on where to mount them. Took the female end of the extension, had bout 2 feet slack and left it running out of the braker pannel until I figure out where to mount the AC outlets. An electrician saw my instalation and said it was safe. Oh, and whats GFI protected? Let me know where you mount the AC outlets. I may take pictures of it and post them, if i ever find the camera
....Take care and good luck. Carlitos S/v Martina110 volt addition
Michael, I added 110v shorepower by putting the thru-hull shorepower outlet just outboard of the 12DC panel on the galley aft bulkhead. I mounted a 110volt breaker panel next to the 12volt panel. I use a 20 amp statpower with a remote indicator that charges both my battery banks. I have one twelve volt starting/deepcycle battery for starting my outboard and two 6 volt golf cart batteries (225 AH) connected in series for my house loads. Instead of a battery switch, I elected to use a battery combiner between the starting bank and the house load bank. The combiner connects the banks together so that after the starting battery is charged by the outboard's alternator, the house bank will then (automatically} be charged by the outboard. I chose golf cart batteries beacuse they can take a lot of abuse, last a long time, and are relatively inexpensive. Hope this information is useful. - Bernie
Michael, I added 110v shorepower by putting the thru-hull shorepower outlet just outboard of the 12DC panel on the galley aft bulkhead. I mounted a 110volt breaker panel next to the 12volt panel. I use a 20 amp statpower with a remote indicator that charges both my battery banks. I have one twelve volt starting/deepcycle battery for starting my outboard and two 6 volt golf cart batteries (225 AH) connected in series for my house loads. Instead of a battery switch, I elected to use a battery combiner between the starting bank and the house load bank. The combiner connects the banks together so that after the starting battery is charged by the outboard's alternator, the house bank will then (automatically} be charged by the outboard. I chose golf cart batteries beacuse they can take a lot of abuse, last a long time, and are relatively inexpensive. Hope this information is useful. - Bernie
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