[C320-list] In Boom Furler Now Electrics Upgrade

[Robert Seastream]

Brian:

I'm in a similar situation to you regarding AC power, partly because  
I'm on a mooring.  When I upgraded our charging system, I went with  
the Ferris 'Powermax' alternator (125 amp), Balmar 3 stage regulator  
and 'Echo' charger package.  The alternator is a drop in replacement  
for the OEM single pulley alternator.  I ran fused 4 AWG wires  
directly from the alternator to the two 4D wet cells (paralleled on  
battery switch position 1), and installed a dedicated AGM starting  
battery (what the Echo charger is for) on position 2.  I now can  
charge my house bank from 25 percent to full in about 90 minutes,  
rather than the nearly four hours the standard system used to take.   
The standard (supplied with the Yanmar 3GM30F engine) Hitachi  
alternator is rated at 55 amps, but in real world operating conditions  
only outputs about half that and then only with the engine running  
above 2000 rpm.  Anything that Balmar offers is likely just fine.  I  
chose Ferris because they're located in MA; should I have any issues I  
prefer to have a throat to choke nearby.

I'm with Orlando.  The Honda EU2000i genset is under $1000, under 50  
pounds, under 60 db full load noise level (QUIET); what's not to  
like?  It's our next purchase for Intuition, partly because air  
conditioning may be in our future.  We intend to secure it on the  
fantail and run a short pigtail from the genset output right into the  
shore power connector.

Finally, when moderate to large amounts of AC power is required  
(particularly on a regular basis), I think a generator rather than a  
large inverter is the better way to go.  Otherwise you'll be  
subjecting your house bank to deep discharges on a fairly regular  
basis and end up replacing that house bank more often than you should  
have to.  Additionally, the increased hours of engine runtime to  
recharge the house bank equal increased engine wear and tear.  Save  
that engine for more important tasks, such as helping you claw off a  
lee shore or get home when the wind dies.

Bob Seastream
Intuition # 906




On Oct 24, 2008, at 7:36 PM, Orlando.Duran at AveryDennison.com wrote:

> What, no Honda 2000 generator?!! :)
> ----------------------------------
> 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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