[C320-list] DC power system upgrade advice

[Kirk McCullough]

Wow after 3 days on the hook we have typically used only 60 amp-hours. I 
agree the anchor light is a power hog , so I usually turn it off at day 
break, then go back to bed. I run the engine 45 mins per day to make hot 
water and charge, with our standard 50 amp alternator.

We are frugal with lights and the fridge up here in the NW doesn't run alot. 
I have a very efficient unit that draws only 2.5 to 3 amps when the 
compressor is running. The stock unit uses much more.

Kirk

 #124
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Anderer" <danderer at udel.edu>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 11:45 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] DC power system upgrade advice


>
>
> On Jul 16, 2008, at 1:35 PM, Chris Burti wrote:
>
>> Gary,
>> This is not a recommendation, consider it a report for evaluation.
>
> In the same spirit...
>
> We have hull 642.  We find we use around 100-120 AH per 24 hour period  on 
> the Chesapeake in the summer.  Major loads are the refrig and  anchor 
> light.  We haven't bothered to install LEDs or anything.  I  found a Link 
> 20 monitor on ebay cheap, so we have a good handle on our  usage patterns.
>
> The stock 55 amp alternator seemed to average around 25 amps for us. 
> (That is, while it could put out a PEAK of 55 amps, that rate quickly 
> declined as the batteries were charged.)
>
> So, rule of thumb was max 2 days between charges, and 4-5 hours of 
> runtime to charge for each 24 hours on the hook.
>
> Installed a 100 amp alternator and smart regulator last year.  With 
> depleted batteries it seems to average around 50 amps for us - so half  as 
> long to recharge.  (We could bump that 50 amp number up a little,  but I 
> don't like the smell of burning belts.)
>
> ..and we carry one of those portable jump-start batteries just in  case, 
> but have never needed it.