[C320-list] DC power system upgrade advice

[Scott Thompson]

Dave:  I don't think this digs it in any more than does a good
thunderstorm or an all night blow.

I've found that backing down hard on the anchor for a few minutes
sometimes creates a really big whirlpool off the stern, complete with loud
sucking sounds as if you are about to go down the drain.  This is
entertaining for any kids on board, not to mention me.

You definitely want to keep a good watch for dragging.  (Otherwise you
might get sucked into the whirlpool!)  In fact I run in reverse mostly to
check to make sure that I won't drag if the wind comes up.

Since this can generate considerable reverse water flow across the rudder
you want to hold it steady (or lock it) just like when backing up.

Scott


> Chris,
>
> Do you really run it in reverse at anchor? I guess that allows you to
> run at a high RPM, and charge better & quicker. But wouldn't that dig
> your anchor in something fierce? Ever have trouble pulling it loose?
>
> I had never thought of doing that. I guess you need to keep a good
> watch & make sure you don't drag.
>
> Do others run in reverse at anchor?
>
> David Nolte
> Beach House #4
>
>
>
> On Jul 16, 2008, at 1:35 PM, Chris Burti wrote:
>
>> Gary,
>> This is not a recommendation, consider it a report for evaluation.
>>
>> We have hull number 867 with a Yanmar with a 55 amp OEM alternator.
>> We try
>> to get at least one one-week cruise each year. On those cruises, we
>> freeze
>> or buy 10# of block ice for the bottom of the reefer, set the
>> controller in
>> the middle and run a small fan for air circulation which dramatically
>> reduces the current consumption. Other than that, we try to be
>> conscientious
>> about not wasting electricity, run the fans only when needed, make
>> sure that
>> we rotate battery usage and turn off the anchor light early. We run
>> the
>> engine about 20-30 minutes in gear, in reverse @ 2500 rpm in the
>> morning and
>> evening to heat water and charge the batteries. We replaced our OEM
>> Excide
>> 4d's in 2006 with Excide commercial truck 4'ds along with the
>> charger which
>> lightning had fried.
>>
>> Have not drawn the batteries below 12v with this regime.
>> On Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 1:08 PM, Magnuson's Ragtime
>> <ragtime at gte.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Hull 205--- I need to replace the 4D batteries, and am not sure if
>>> I should
>>> stay with the flooded or go to the Gel cells.  My 30 amp Newmar
>>> charger is
>>> humming a 60hz tone that pier walkers can hear, which started this
>>> project.
>>> I think I understand the pros and cons of both types of battery
>>> and I think
>>> that a new 40A  Xantrex charger will handle either while at the
>>> slip. I have
>>> the Perkins engine with the original alternator. If I choose the gel
>>> technology now, and buy the new charger, do I also need to buy an
>>> external
>>> regulator? Does anyone know the output specs of the OEM
>>> alternator? Any
>>> danger of the OEM alternator damaging the gel cells? Option 2 is
>>> to stay
>>> with the wet cells, and the Xantrex charger and keep the internally
>>> regulated OEM alternator. (KISS)
>>>
>>> I did buy the reference book suggested earlier, but it seems to
>>> give me a
>>> lot of choices, that can become expensive and complicated.
>>> Normal use is shore power most of the time with two or three day
>>> trips
>>> sailing the Apostle Islands.  We are planning a two week trip to
>>> the Lake
>>> Superior North shore, and I am concerned with the charge rate of the
>>> batteries if we don't spend a lot of time under power. I have
>>> considered
>>> paralleling the two new batteries, and taking along a deep cycle
>>> battery
>>> with jumper cables as an emergency back up just for the duration
>>> of the
>>> trip.
>>>
>>>
>>> Gary Magnuson
>>> Time-A-Weigh #205
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Chris Burti
>> Farmville, NC
>
> David Nolte
> Nettle Net® BOAT POOL®
> 800-962-9020
> www.nojellyfish.com
> dcnolte at mac.com
>
>
>
>
>