[C320-list] In Boom Furler Now Electrics Upgrade

[Orlando.Duran at AveryDennison.com]

What, no Honda 2000 generator?!! :)
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Regards,
OD

Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld


----- Original Message -----
From: "Amirault Family - S&B" [amiraults at sympatico.ca]
Sent: 10/24/2008 04:19 PM
To: <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] In Boom Furler Now Electrics Upgrade

All:

 

The crew reviewed the responses to my query on how to spend a modest amount
of "found money", and is convinced that improved liveability is the correct
answer. Although the idea came from here, she really thinks that more amps
available more often would be the best bang for the bucks and would leave
her happier; and so an electrics upgrade it is.

 

Bear currently has the original electrics, with the addition of a separate
starting battery under the port settee. During 2007 all of the batteries
were replaced. The house bank is now four 6volt AGM batteries wired in
parallel and series to yield a single 440 AH bank. The starting battery is a
separate 12volt AGM unit.

 

To have more power available at a sail club where shore power is not offered
at the slips will require an increase in our ability to generate amps off
the engine. To this end consideration is being given to acquiring a Xantrex
XC5012 multi-bank charger (to replace the original Pro Mariner unit) for
those days when we can get to the service dock and for a future on bigger
water where the slips are shore power enabled. To make AC available the
choice is a Xantrex Prosine 1800 inverter. These will be connected to a Link
Monitor 2000 and the batteries will be temperature monitored. 

 

The rub is in an upgraded alternator and voltage regulator. Balmar appears
to be a rugged and reliable choice, but my reading suggests that above a
certain output level I have to upgrade to a different pulley and belt size
for the engine. A further concern is that there is limited space underneath
the engine cover and whatever I acquire must needs fit within the confines
of the engine space.

 

The local self-taught marine electrician willing to aid in this effort (for
a fee) wants to be certain that there will be no installation surprises with
the hardware I eventually select. Would members having already done an
alternator upgrade sound off with their experiences, recommendations, and
assessment of their satisfaction with their results.

 

There is no hurry. I will not be making any buys until after attending the
Toronto Boat Show in January 2009. The installation will not be done until
after launch this coming May (I haul out on Saturday, weather permitting). 

 

Brian Amirault

Waltzing Bear, too


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